A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Santa Monica vs. Hood River for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Santa Monica or Hood River?

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

Should I visit Santa Monica or Hood River? 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 Monica

Santa Monica is a lively, funfilled, and energetic town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Hood River

Hood River is a charming, agricultural, and quaint town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Santa Monica and Hood River: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Monica or Hood River?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Monica than Hood River, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Monica is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Hood River is more popular for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty. Santa Monica is more touristy than Hood River and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier. Hood River is well known for its waterfalls, wineries, and impressive mountains.

How is Santa Monica different from Hood River?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Santa Monica or Hood River Better for Skiing?

Hood River is a popular place for snow skiing. However, Santa Monica is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Hood River is a great destination to visit. During the winter months, Hood River makes a nice base for nearby skiing. Timberline and Cooper Spur and both less than an hour away and offer great skiing opportunities.

Santa Monica is not a skiing destination.

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

Santa Monica is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Hood River is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Santa Monica offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Hood River offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of interesting museums in town such as the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automoblie Museum, the History Museum, and 301 Gallery.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Santa Monica and Hood River can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Hood River has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to the downtown or waterfront areas for the best selection of restaurants. Most restaurants pride themselves on using local ingredients and supporting local farms. Dishes use fresh and healthy ingredients that make simple but high quality meals.

Is Santa Monica or Hood River Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Hood River is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Santa Monica has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Hood River has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are breweries, wineries, and local bars in the area that offer a laid back place where you can enjoy the local atmosphere.

Is Santa Monica or Hood River Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Hood River is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Santa Monica. 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.

Hood River is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Monica or Hood River Better for Hiking?

Hood River is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Hood River is a popular spot for hiking. There's a diversity of landscapes in the area that include waterfalls, agriculture, vineyards, and high-reaching mountain peaks. The best way to experience these is through the many hiking trails. Drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway and stop off at the trails that lead to the waterfalls, or head south of town to explore the vineyards on foot, and to the north where you'll find mountain peaks.

Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Monica or Hood River?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Hood River is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Santa Monica is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Hood River to go shopping. Local shops sell local produce, artisan crafts, and wine. There are boutiques and independent vendors that are fun to visit and many visitors enjoy spending an afternoon shopping.

Is Santa Monica or Hood River Better for Families?

Santa Monica is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Hood River is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-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.

Hood River is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family can enjoy. There's swimming, tubing, hiking, and even windsurfing. Make sure you check out the Waterfront Park and Powerdale Substation.

Is Santa Monica or Hood River Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santa Monica and Hood River make for a high quality place to visit.

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

Hood River makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the scenic natural setting and charming hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area. There are romantic hikes, local wineries, and many great restaurants that you can try.

Is Santa Monica or Hood River Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Hood River is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and some nice campgrounds in the area as well as many great hikes and a laid back atmosphere that backpackers appreciate.

Santa Monica is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

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

Hood River is a moderate town for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

Public transit is generally limited in Hood River. There are buses in the area but you really need your own transportation to see the region efficiently.

Santa Monica does not have public transit. 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.

Is Santa Monica or Hood River a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Hood River is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

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

Hood River is generally not very walkable. While there are parts of the town that are walkable, if you don't have a car you'll miss out on the surrounding natural landscapes and most of the hiking opportunities.

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

Should I spend more time in Hood River or Santa Monica?

How long in Santa Monica or Hood River?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hood River than Santa Monica 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 Hood River.

One day in Santa Monica or Hood River?

With museums and nightlife around the lively town of Santa Monica, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Monica, one day is sufficent for most.

In Hood River, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this agricultural 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.

A weekend in Santa Monica or Hood River?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Santa Monica, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Hood River is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

Five days in Santa Monica or Hood River?

Santa Monica, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find shopping and skiing around the quaint destination of Hood River. 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.

A week in Santa Monica or Hood River?

Santa Monica is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. 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.

Hood River 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Monica and Hood River, we can see that Santa Monica is more expensive. And not only is Hood River much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hood River would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hood River 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 Hood River.

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

Which is Bigger, Santa Monica or Hood River?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hood River. When comparing the sizes of Santa Monica and Hood River, 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 Monica or Hood River?

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 Monica or Hood River in the Summer?

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

Santa Monica is around the same temperature as Hood River in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Monica averages around 70°F (21°C) in July, and Hood River fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Santa Monica usually gets less rain in July than Hood River. Santa Monica gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Monica or Hood River in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Santa Monica is much warmer than Hood River. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Monica in October average around 67°F (20°C), and Hood River averages at about 55°F (13°C).

In October, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Hood River. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Monica or Hood River in the Winter?

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

Hood River can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Santa Monica is generally much warmer than Hood River. Daily temperatures in Santa Monica average around 57°F (14°C), and Hood River fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

It's quite rainy in Hood River. Santa Monica usually gets less rain in January than Hood River. Santa Monica gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Monica or Hood River in the Spring?

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

Santa Monica is much warmer than Hood River in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Monica averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Hood River fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In April, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Hood River. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hood River and Santa Monica