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

Should you visit Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park?

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

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park? 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 scenic, laid back, and coastal town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a vast, pristine, and stunning park. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

Santa Cruz and Olympic National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz. Although Santa Cruz and Olympic National Park are popular destinations, Santa Cruz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Cruz is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Olympic National Park attracts visitors for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Santa Cruz is famous for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also well known for Santa Cruz Wharf. Olympic National Park is famous for its diverse landscapes and its frequent rainfall.

How is Santa Cruz different from Olympic National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park?

Both Santa Cruz and Olympic National Park have nice 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.

Olympic National Park offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several museums near the park that highlight the region's history, culture, and geology. These include the Makah Cultural & Research Center Museum, Forks Timber Museum, Sequim Museum, and Squaxin Island Museum, Library and Research Center.

Is the Food Better in Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Santa Cruz and Olympic National Park offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Cruz offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Olympic National Park has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most of the lodges have restaurants within the park, but they can be overpriced. There are also restaurants just outside of the park's border.

Is Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its evening party scene.

Santa Cruz offers plenty to do in the evening. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Olympic National Park doesn't offer many options. You can enjoy a peaceful natural setting after the sun sets.

Is Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park Better for Resorts?

Olympic National Park is notable for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Olympic National Park is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are several lodges within the park as well as cabins and inns. Some have a historic atmosphere while others are more rustic. It's best to book well in advance, particularly if you're visiting during the peak summer months.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for the beache. However, Olympic National Park 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.

Olympic National Park is not a beach destination. The park has a rugged coastline with sandy beaches. Many people enjoy exploring the tidal pools or watching the sun set. Some of the best beaches include Kalaloch Beach, Beach 4, and Ruby Beach.

Is Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park Better for Hiking?

Olympic National Park is very popular for the nearby hiking options. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

People visit Olympic National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hiking trails will take you through the diverse range of landscapes. There are mountain climbs, coastal trails, and routes that wander through old growth forests. You'll also find a mix of day hikes and backcountry wilderness hikes. Mount Storm King, Marymere Falls, and the High Divide are favorite hikes in the park, but there are countless others.

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 Olympic National Park?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its shopping areas.

Santa Cruz offers some nice shopping areas. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Olympic National Park has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There's a park store where you can pick up books, informational resources, and souvenirs.

Is Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park.

Santa Cruz is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Olympic National Park is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy exploring the tidal pools and running around the beach. It's also fun to lose yourself in the old growth rainforests and spend some time kayaking or canoeing at Lake Crescent.

Is Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santa Cruz and Olympic National Park make for a high quality place to visit.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Olympic National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy hiking, camping, and natural beauty will love exploring this park together. There are a diversity of ecosystems and landscapes where you can enjoy a couples retreat together.

Is Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Olympic National Park is very popular for backpackers. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Olympic National Park is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many beautiful backcountry destinations that let you experience this park in depth. Make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

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 Olympic National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Santa Cruz and Olympic National Park offer reasonable public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Olympic National Park. There are buses and ferries to the park, but the park is large and requires a private vehicle to fully access it.

Is Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. However, Olympic National Park is not a good park for its ease of walking around.

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

Olympic National Park is not a very walkable town. The park is large and you'll need a car to reach most of the trailheads.

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

Should I spend more time in Olympic National Park or Santa Cruz?

How long in Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park?

In either Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Olympic National Park than Santa Cruz because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Santa Cruz, and 2-5 days is enough time in Olympic National Park.

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Olympic National Park. 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 Olympic National Park. 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 Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park.

One day in Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park?

In Santa Cruz, you'll find shopping and museums. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Cruz, one day is sufficent for most.

With museums and food around the stunning park of Olympic National Park, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Olympic National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Cruz. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town. It offers something for everyone.

With food and museums around the destination of Olympic National Park, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this park.

Five days in Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park?

Santa Cruz is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Olympic National Park, a popular park, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this park. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park?

You'll find food and shopping around the scenic destination of Santa Cruz. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Olympic National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 comparing the travel costs between Santa Cruz and Olympic National Park, we can see that Santa Cruz is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Olympic National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park?

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 Cruz or Olympic National Park in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Santa Cruz is a little warmer than Olympic National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santa Cruz in July average around 67°F (19°C), and Olympic National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).

In July, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Santa Cruz gets 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park in the Autumn?

Both Olympic National Park and Santa Cruz during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Olympic National Park for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Santa Cruz is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Santa Cruz average around 63°F (17°C), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Olympic National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santa Cruz usually gets less rain in October than Olympic National Park. Santa Cruz gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 10.4 inches (263 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park in the Winter?

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

Olympic National Park can get quite cold in the winter. Santa Cruz is much warmer than Olympic National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Santa Cruz averages around 51°F (10°C) in January, and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).

Olympic National Park receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Santa Cruz gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 13.7 inches (349 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Olympic National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santa Cruz as well as Olympic National Park. Many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the spring for the beaches. Additionally, most visitors come to Olympic National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Santa Cruz is much warmer than Olympic National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santa Cruz in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Olympic National Park averages at about 47°F (8°C).

It's quite rainy in Olympic National Park. Santa Cruz usually gets less rain in April than Olympic National Park. Santa Cruz gets 1 inches (26 mm) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Olympic National Park and Santa Cruz