A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Santa Monica vs. Rapid City for Attractions, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Santa Monica or Rapid City?

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

Should I visit Santa Monica or Rapid City? 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Rapid City

Rapid City is a activity-filled, friendly, and fascinating city. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Santa Monica and Rapid City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Monica or Rapid City?

You'll generally find more things to do in Santa Monica than Rapid City. Santa Monica is bigger than Rapid City, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Santa Monica is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Rapid City is more popular for its museums and hiking. Santa Monica is more touristy than Rapid City and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier. Rapid City is well known for its proximity to Mount Rushmore and many other iconic parks.

How is Santa Monica different from Rapid City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rapid City is an amazing city to visit 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.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Rapid City are among the most recognizable in the world. You'll find a wide variety of museums and landmarks nearby. Popular places to visit that aren't far from town include the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, and the Journey Museum & Learning Center. There's also the Museum of Geology and the National Presidential Wax Museum. And of course, there's the iconic Mount Rushmore.

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 Monica or Rapid City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Rapid City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Santa Monica has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Rapid City area. You'll find local restaurants in town that serve local specialties such as chislic (grilled meat), fry bread, and walleye (a local fish.

Is Santa Monica or Rapid City Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options 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.

Rapid City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. You'll find some places with live music and good drinks, but the city isn't really known for its nightlife scene.

Is Santa Monica or Rapid City Better for Beaches?

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

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.

Rapid City is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Monica or Rapid City Better for Hiking?

Rapid City is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Rapid City is a popular spot for hiking. The region is filled with national parks, state parks, and natural areas with wonderful hiking trails. You don't have to travel far to get into nature and experience some of South Dakota's best natural beauty.

Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Monica or Rapid City?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rapid City 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 Rapid City to go shopping. Rapid City has some interesting local shops as well as larger malls and shopping centers.

Is Santa Monica or Rapid City Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Santa Monica or Rapid City.

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.

Rapid City is one of the most popular family destinations. Nearby national parks and outdoor activities, this is the perfect base for exploring the area with kids. Nearby you'll find the Big Thunder Gold Mine, which has tours and lets you pan for gold, and Custer State Park, which is filled with wildlife. Wall Drug is worth a stopoff, as is Dinosaur Park.

Is Santa Monica or Rapid City Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santa Monica and Rapid City make for a great 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.

Rapid City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the amazing national parks in the area and the easy access to iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore. There are many opportunities for wildlife spotting as well as great hiking trails and unique landscapes.

Is Santa Monica or Rapid City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Rapid City is a great city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will appreciate the surrounding natural beauty and the nearby national parks.

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 Rapid City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rapid City is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

Public transit is generally limited in Rapid City. While there are a few buses, this isn't a realistic option for traveling through the region.

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 Rapid City a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Rapid City 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.

Rapid City is generally not very walkable. While the downtown is walkable, most visitors use the city as a base for exploring the surrounding areas, and this requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Rapid City or Santa Monica?

How long in Santa Monica or Rapid City?

It's fun to spend time in either Santa Monica or Rapid City. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Rapid City due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Santa Monica, and 2-4 days is enough time in Rapid City.

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Rapid City. 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 Rapid City. 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 Rapid City 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 Rapid City.

One day in Santa Monica or Rapid City?

With museums and nightlife around the active 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 Rapid City, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this activity-filled city 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 Rapid City?

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.

Rapid City 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. Lots of people come for the museums. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Santa Monica or Rapid City?

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 food and shopping around the fascinating destination of Rapid City. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 Rapid City?

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.

Rapid City 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 Rapid City, we can see that Santa Monica is more expensive. And not only is Rapid City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rapid City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rapid City 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 Rapid City.

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 Rapid City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Monica or Rapid City?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Rapid City. When comparing the sizes of Santa Monica and Rapid City, 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.