A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santa Monica vs. Winnipeg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santa Monica or Winnipeg?

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

Should I visit Santa Monica or Winnipeg? 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.

Where Should I go: Santa Monica or Winnipeg?

Santa Monica

When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.

Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.

So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.

The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.

Winnipeg

Winnipeg is the capital of the Canadian province of Manitoba. Its heart is The Forks, a historic site at the intersection of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, with warehouses converted to shops and restaurants, plus ample green space dedicated to festivals, concerts and exhibits. Nearby, the Exchange District is known for its well-preserved, early 20th-century architecture and numerous art galleries. Rising above the prairie, Winnipeg is a metropolis where you least expect it. Cultured, confident and captivating, it’s more than just a pit stop on the Trans-Canada haul, but a destination in its own right, with a couple of world-class museums and a wonderfully diverse dining scene.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Winnipeg or Santa Monica?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Monica is $210, while the average daily cost in Winnipeg is $251. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Santa Monica and Winnipeg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santa Monica $123
    Winnipeg $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santa Monica $246
    Winnipeg $184
Compare Hotels in Santa Monica and Winnipeg

Looking for a hotel in Santa Monica or Winnipeg? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Santa Monica


Hotels in Winnipeg


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santa Monica Hotel Prices and Winnipeg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santa Monica $50
    Winnipeg -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Monica

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:

  • Santa Monica to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Deparure Private Transfer: $80
  • Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $74

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Winnipeg

Also for Winnipeg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Winnipeg Airport to Winnipeg Accommodation : $37
  • Private Transfer from Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to Winnipeg Hotels: $61
  • Private Transfer from Winnipeg Hotels to Winnipeg Airport: $61
  • Winnipeg accomodation to Winnipeg Airport (YWG) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
  • Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to Winnipeg accomodation - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
  • Winnipeg Airport (YWG) to Winnipeg accomodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $122
  • Arrivals Private Transfer from Richardson Airport: $141
  • Winnipeg One way Private transfer from/to the Airport: $200

Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Monica or Winnipeg?

Prices for flights to both Winnipeg and Santa Monica change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santa Monica $52
    Winnipeg $5.40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Monica

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.

  • Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour: $96
  • Los Angeles Premier Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $124
  • Marina del Rey Christmas Day Buffet Dinner Cruise: $175
  • Marina del Rey Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise: $175
  • Marina del Rey Father's Day Plated Dinner Cruise: $222

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santa Monica $38
    Winnipeg $2.52

Tours and Activities in Santa Monica

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:

  • 15 Passengers Open Ocean/Harbor Cruise Party Boat Marina Del Rey: $129
  • 2 Hour Sailing Adventure From Marina Del Rey: $160
  • 3-Hour Santa Monica and Venice Beach Bike Guided Tour : $72
  • 4.5 Hour Venice Beach Open Air Van Tour: $65
  • 5.5-Hour Exclusive Malibu Stars Homes & Beautiful Beach Tour: $80
  • All Day Tour 6.5 Hour : $111
  • Bring-Your-Own-Food and Drinks Marina del Rey Boat Tour: $80
  • City Tour of Los Angeles from Torrance and El Segundo: $122
  • Dolphin Sighting Sunset Tour: $90
  • Dolphins Whales and Sea Lion Wildlife Sightseeing Boat Tour: $90
  • Explore Malibu's Coast: PCH & Beyond - Self Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Karaoke Boat Cruise ( Drinks included) LA's best attraction: $149

Tours and Activities in Winnipeg

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Winnipeg.

  • Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Ghost Tour: $5.11
  • Assiniboine Park Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
  • Wealthy Beginnings Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Winnipeg in the Limelight: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • The Forks Self-Guided Smartphone Tour with Audio: $5.11
  • Manitoba Legislative Grounds Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • The Forks Historic Site: a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.23
  • Manitoba Legislative Grounds: a Smartphone Audio Tour & Trivia Challenge: $5.23
  • Winnipeg in the Limelight: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.23
  • Discover Assiniboine Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.23
  • Winnipeg's Wealthy Beginnings: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.23
  • Winnipeg's Most Haunted: a Smartphone Audio Ghost Tour: $5.23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santa Monica $21
    Winnipeg -

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Monica

Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private Vintage VW Hippie Tour to Malibu with wine tasting: $195
  • Vintage VW Hippie Shared Tour to Malibu with Wine Tasting: $199
  • Charcuterie Board and Wine Tasting in Marina Bay: $300


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

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 Winnipeg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santa Monica or Winnipeg?

Winnipeg has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Santa Monica and Winnipeg, 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 Winnipeg?

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 Winnipeg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santa Monica as well as Winnipeg. Many visitors come to Santa Monica in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Santa Monica is around the same temperature as Winnipeg in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Monica averages around 70°F (21°C) in July, and Winnipeg fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

Santa Monica usually gets less rain in July than Winnipeg. Santa Monica gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Santa Monica 70°F (21°C) 
    Winnipeg 21°C (71°F)

Should I visit Santa Monica or Winnipeg in the Autumn?

Both Winnipeg and Santa Monica are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Santa Monica is much warmer than Winnipeg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Monica in October average around 67°F (20°C), and Winnipeg averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In October, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Winnipeg. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Santa Monica 67°F (20°C) 
    Winnipeg 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Santa Monica or Winnipeg in the Winter?

Both Winnipeg and Santa Monica during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Winnipeg in the winter. In January, Santa Monica is generally much warmer than Winnipeg. Daily temperatures in Santa Monica average around 57°F (14°C), and Winnipeg fluctuates around -17°C (2°F).

Santa Monica usually gets less rain in January than Winnipeg. Santa Monica gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Santa Monica 57°F (14°C) 
    Winnipeg -17°C (2°F)

Should I visit Santa Monica or Winnipeg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Monica and Winnipeg. The beaches are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

Santa Monica is much warmer than Winnipeg in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Monica averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Winnipeg fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In April, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Winnipeg. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain, while Winnipeg receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Santa Monica 61°F (16°C) 
    Winnipeg 5°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Winnipeg and Santa Monica

Santa Monica Winnipeg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 57°F (14°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm) -17°C (2°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 58°F (15°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) -14°C (8°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 58°F (15°C) 0.4 inches (10 mm) -6°C (22°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Apr 61°F (16°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm) 5°C (42°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 63°F (17°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 13°C (56°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 66°F (19°C) 0 inches (0 mm) 19°C (65°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 70°F (21°C) 0 inches (0 mm) 21°C (71°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 71°F (22°C) 0 inches (0 mm) 20°C (68°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Sep 70°F (21°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 14°C (57°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Oct 67°F (20°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm) 7°C (45°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 62°F (17°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm) -3°C (26°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Dec 58°F (14°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm) -13°C (9°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)