A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. Santa Monica for Beaches, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Tampa or Santa Monica?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Santa Monica? 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.

Tampa

Tampa is a laid-back, easy-going, and low-key city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a lively, funfilled, and energetic town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Tampa and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Santa Monica?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Monica than Tampa. While Tampa is larger than Santa Monica, Santa Monica has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Monica is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Tampa is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and big city activities. Santa Monica is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also home to the Santa Monica Pier. Tampa is popular for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is Tampa different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Santa Monica is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Santa Monica has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Is Tampa or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

Santa Monica has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Tampa or Santa Monica Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a moderate city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Santa Monica is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Santa Monica is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is an amazing town to visit for the beach. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

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.

Tampa is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santa Monica. 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.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tampa 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.

Tampa is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Is Tampa or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Santa Monica makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Tampa or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Monica is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Monica. 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.

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Tampa is not a good place to visit for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

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 Tampa or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Santa Monica?

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

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

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

One day in Tampa or Santa Monica?

In Tampa, many people enjoy the food that this low-key city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

In Santa Monica, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this active destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the beaches. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tampa or Santa Monica?

Tampa is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Monica. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or Santa Monica?

You'll find food around the laid-back destination of Tampa. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Santa Monica is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Santa Monica. Lots of people come for the beaches. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Santa Monica?

Tampa is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the energetic destination of Santa Monica. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Santa Monica?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Santa Monica, 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 Tampa or Santa Monica?

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 Tampa or Santa Monica in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Santa Monica. The summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In July, Tampa is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 82°F (28°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Tampa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

Both Santa Monica and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene.

Tampa is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

In October, Tampa usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or Santa Monica in the Winter?

Both Santa Monica and Tampa during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Tampa is around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampa in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 57°F (14°C).

Tampa usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Santa Monica in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Santa Monica. Many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches during these months.

In April, Tampa is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 71°F (22°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, Tampa usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Tampa