A Travel Price Comparison for California Santa Barbara vs. Santa Monica for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Santa Barbara or Santa Monica?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Santa Monica? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a scenic, stunning, and wealthy coastal town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a active, lively, and funfilled town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Santa Barbara and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Barbara or Santa Monica?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Santa Barbara and Santa Monica are both popular with visitors, Santa Barbara has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Barbara is more popular for its museums & sights, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Santa Monica is known for its nightlife. Santa Monica is more touristy than Santa Barbara and is known for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Santa Barbara is popular for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also home to The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

How is Santa Barbara different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Monica and Santa Barbara. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santa Barbara or Santa Monica?

Santa Barbara is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Santa Barbara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Monica. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History Museum.

Is the Food Better in Santa Barbara or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Santa Barbara and Santa Monica.

Dining out in Santa Barbara is an experience not to be missed. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Santa Monica. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.

Santa Monica offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Santa Barbara. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is notable for its resorts. However, Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Santa Barbara is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is a moderate coastal town for its diving and snorkeling. However, Santa Monica is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Santa Barbara. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Santa Monica is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Santa Barbara and Santa Monica are first-rate choices.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Santa Barbara. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

With world-famous beaches, Santa Monica is a very popular vacation destination. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a popular place for its old town. However, Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Santa Barbara to see the old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

People visit Santa Barbara specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Barbara or Santa Monica?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Santa Barbara make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santa Monica. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Santa Monica is a very family-friendly destination. Many families spend their days hanging out on the beaches, soaking up the sun, and even trying to surf. There's a boardwalk as well as bike paths that are perfect for people watching. You should also check out the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which is a thrilling amusement park.

Santa Barbara is a very family-friendly destination. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Santa Barbara makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Santa Monica makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fun days on the beach, peaceful walks at sunset, and a wild nightlife scene make this the perfect couples destination for couples who enjoy activity and excitement.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Monica is a popular place for backpackers. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Monica. There's no shortage of activities in the area, whether you're into surfing, partying, or sunbathing. There's also at least one hostel that's great for budget travelers and backpackers.

Santa Barbara is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city isn't really known as a budget friendly destination, but there are a couple of hostels in the area. There's also a large student population with a fun nightlife scene.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is notable for students. However, Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Santa Barbara is a very popular coastal town for students and younger travelers. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Monica is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Santa Monica can get you to most places easily. The Metro E Line connects the city to downtown Los Angeles. There's also the Big Blue Bus as well the Santa Monica Circuit, which are small electric carts that offer free rides between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street.

Santa Barbara has some public transit options. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Is Santa Barbara or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara and Santa Monica both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Santa Barbara is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

Santa Monica is very walkable. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Monica Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Santa Barbara?

How long in Santa Barbara or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santa Barbara and Santa Monica. In our opinion, Santa Barbara has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Santa Barbara than Santa Monica. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Santa Barbara, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

Couples should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Santa Monica. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santa Barbara that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Santa Barbara or Santa Monica?

In Santa Barbara, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this opulent coastal town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the energetic destination of Santa Monica. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Santa Barbara or Santa Monica?

Santa Barbara is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Monica. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Santa Barbara or Santa Monica?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the opulent destination of Santa Barbara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively destination of Santa Monica. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Santa Barbara or Santa Monica?

Santa Barbara is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Santa Monica. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Barbara and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Barbara and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Santa Monica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Monica than you might in Santa Barbara.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santa Barbara Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Barbara or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Santa Barbara and Santa Monica, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Santa Barbara or Santa Monica?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica and Santa Barbara are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In July, Santa Barbara is generally cooler than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 65°F (19°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In July, Santa Barbara usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Santa Barbara gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

Both Santa Monica and Santa Barbara during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene.

Santa Barbara is cooler than Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

Santa Barbara usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Santa Barbara gets 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Santa Monica in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Barbara and Santa Monica. Many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Santa Barbara is cooler than Santa Monica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Barbara in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In January, Santa Barbara usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Santa Barbara gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Santa Monica in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santa Barbara as well as Santa Monica. Many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches during these months.

In April, Santa Barbara is generally cooler than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 57°F (14°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Santa Barbara usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Santa Barbara gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Santa Barbara