A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Santa Cruz vs. Fairbanks for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Santa Cruz or Fairbanks?

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

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Fairbanks? 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 Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Fairbanks

Fairbanks is a outdoorsy, remote, and Arctic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Santa Cruz and Fairbanks: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Cruz or Fairbanks?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz than Fairbanks, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Cruz is better known for its food, nightlife, and beaches, while Fairbanks is more popular for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Fairbanks and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is famous for Santa Cruz Wharf. Fairbanks is well known for its remote wilderness setting, access to the Arctic, unique winter sports, and popularity for seeing the northern lights.

How is Santa Cruz different from Fairbanks?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Santa Cruz or Fairbanks Better for Skiing?

Fairbanks is a moderate city for snow skiing. However, Santa Cruz is not a skiing destination.

Locals like to visit Fairbanks to take advantage of their winter sports. The closest ski areas are the ski resorts of Fort Wainwright/Birch Hill, Moose Mountain and Skiland. The area also has dog mushing, snowshoeing, sledding, tubing and sleigh riding.

Santa Cruz is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santa Cruz or Fairbanks?

Both Santa Cruz and Fairbanks have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Santa Cruz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Fairbanks offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city is mostly known for its outdoor activities, but you can also visit the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center, the Aurora Ice Museum, Fountainhead Auto Museum, the Museum of the North, and Pioneer Park.

Is the Food Better in Santa Cruz or Fairbanks? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its restaurants. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Santa Cruz is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Fairbanks offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Food can be expensive and of varying quality, but many restaurants use local meats and seafood. There's a surprising number of international restaurants in town as well. Also make sure you try the local specialties like reindeer sausage, Yukon gold potatoes, and Alaskan salmon.

Is Santa Cruz or Fairbanks Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Santa Cruz has a large number of nightlife venues. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Fairbanks. You will find some bars around town, but for the most part, the city stays quiet at night.

Is Santa Cruz or Fairbanks Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for the beach. However, Fairbanks is not a beach destination.

Santa Cruz is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Fairbanks is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Cruz or Fairbanks Better for Hiking?

Fairbanks is notable for the nearby hiking options. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Fairbanks is a popular spot for hiking. While the town serves as a gateway to the Arctic and all that it has to offer, there are also hiking trails both in town and nearby. There are trails that connect the city's historic sites as well as day hikes that start at the edge of town.

Many people include a hike when visiting Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Cruz or Fairbanks?

Both Santa Cruz and Fairbanks are notable shopping destinations.

Santa Cruz is a great destination for shopping. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Fairbanks. There are interesting local shops and boutiques that sell native Alaskan handmade items. You'll find "Made in Alaska" merchandise at many boutiques and souvenir shops. There are also larger retailers available in case you forgot clothing or other items at home.

Is Santa Cruz or Fairbanks Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Fairbanks is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Santa Cruz. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Fairbanks. Kids who enjoy searching for wildlife, playing in the snow, and exploring nature will love a visit to Fairbanks. Make sure you visit the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as well as Pioneer Park.

Is Santa Cruz or Fairbanks Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for couples. Also, Fairbanks is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Santa Cruz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Fairbanks is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy hiking and nature will love a visit here. If you're hoping to see the northern lights, Fairbanks is your best destination in Alaska. Try to visit sometime between August to April for the best chance of enjoying the lights.

Is Santa Cruz or Fairbanks Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fairbanks is notable for backpackers. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Fairbanks. There are many outdoor recreation areas where backpackers can explore. Alaska, and Fairbanks in particular, can have very harsh conditions, so unless you know what you're doing, it's best to take a guide.

Santa Cruz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

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

Santa Cruz is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Fairbanks. There is a public bus system that connects the downtown area with the shopping areas and the university. However, you really can't rely on it to explore the region and you should have your own vehicle.

Is Santa Cruz or Fairbanks a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Santa Cruz. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

Fairbanks is not a walkable town. The city was built for cars and there are very few walkable areas around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting? and Is Fairbanks Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Fairbanks or Santa Cruz?

How long in Santa Cruz or Fairbanks?

It's fun to spend time in either Santa Cruz or Fairbanks. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Fairbanks due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Santa Cruz, and 2-4 days is enough time in Fairbanks.

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Fairbanks. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Santa Cruz, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Fairbanks than Santa Cruz if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Fairbanks.

One day in Santa Cruz or Fairbanks?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Cruz. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Cruz has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With museums and shopping around the unique city of Fairbanks, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Santa Cruz or Fairbanks?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the scenic destination of Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Fairbanks, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Santa Cruz or Fairbanks?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back town of Santa Cruz. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Fairbanks, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Santa Cruz or Fairbanks?

Santa Cruz is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Fairbanks is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Cruz and Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Fairbanks would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairbanks than you might in Santa Cruz.

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

Which is Bigger, Santa Cruz or Fairbanks?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Fairbanks. When comparing the sizes of Santa Cruz and Fairbanks, 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 Cruz or Fairbanks?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Fairbanks in the Summer?

Both Fairbanks and Santa Cruz during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.

In July, Santa Cruz is generally around the same temperature as Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Santa Cruz average around 67°F (19°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Santa Cruz usually gets less rain in July than Fairbanks. Santa Cruz gets 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Fairbanks in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Cruz and Fairbanks. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Fairbanks for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Fairbanks. Santa Cruz is much warmer than Fairbanks in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Cruz averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).

In October, Santa Cruz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Fairbanks. Santa Cruz gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Fairbanks in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Santa Cruz as well as Fairbanks. Many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Fairbanks in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Fairbanks can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Santa Cruz is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Cruz in January average around 51°F (10°C), and Fairbanks averages at about -9°F (-23°C).

Santa Cruz usually gets more rain in January than Fairbanks. Santa Cruz gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Fairbanks in the Spring?

Both Fairbanks and Santa Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the natural beauty during these months.

Fairbanks can be very cold during spring. In April, Santa Cruz is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Santa Cruz average around 58°F (14°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

In April, Santa Cruz usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Santa Cruz gets 1 inches (26 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Santa Cruz