A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Santa Cruz vs. Seattle for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Santa Cruz or Seattle?

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

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Seattle? 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. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Seattle

Seattle is a cultural, outdoorsy, and laid-back city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Santa Cruz and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Cruz or Seattle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Seattle than Santa Cruz. Seattle is bigger than Santa Cruz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Seattle is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, music, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Santa Cruz is more popular for its beaches. Santa Cruz is well known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Seattle is well known for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. Also, Seattle is famous for The Space Needle.

How is Santa Cruz different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Seattle 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 Seattle?

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

Seattle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Is Santa Cruz or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a popular place for theatre. However, Santa Cruz is not a theatre destination.

Seattle offers a number of shows and performances. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Santa Cruz is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Seattle makes for a great culinary experience. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Santa Cruz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Is Santa Cruz or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are very good in both Santa Cruz and Seattle.

Santa Cruz has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Santa Cruz or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is notable for live music. However, Santa Cruz is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Seattle. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Santa Cruz is not a live music destination.

Is Santa Cruz or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is notable for the beach. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Santa Cruz. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Is Santa Cruz or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle 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.

Seattle is a popular spot for hiking. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

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 Seattle?

Both Santa Cruz and Seattle 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 Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Santa Cruz or Seattle Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Cruz is known to be 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly town. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Santa Cruz or Seattle Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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

Both Santa Cruz and Seattle are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Seattle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Santa Cruz or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is notable for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Seattle is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

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

Seattle is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Cruz is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Seattle has a few public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

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

Is Santa Cruz or Seattle a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Santa Cruz?

How long in Santa Cruz or Seattle?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santa Cruz and Seattle. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Seattle than in Santa Cruz. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Santa Cruz, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seattle.

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Seattle. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Seattle 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 Seattle.

One day in Santa Cruz or Seattle?

In Santa Cruz, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

When visiting Seattle, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Seattle?

In Santa Cruz, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Cruz has to offer.

When visiting Seattle, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Seattle?

Santa Cruz is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Seattle, 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 Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Cruz. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Seattle 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 Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Cruz or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Santa Cruz and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Santa Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In July, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Seattle. Santa Cruz gets 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and Santa Cruz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Santa Cruz is a little warmer than Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Cruz averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Santa Cruz usually gets less rain in October than Seattle. Santa Cruz gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Cruz and Seattle. Most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Seattle because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Santa Cruz is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Cruz in January average around 51°F (10°C), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).

Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Seattle. Santa Cruz gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santa Cruz as well as Seattle. The spring months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In April, Santa Cruz is generally a little warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Santa Cruz average around 58°F (14°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Santa Cruz usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. Santa Cruz gets 1 inches (26 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Santa Cruz