A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Washington vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Washington and Carmel-by-the-Sea can help you decide which place is right for you.

Washington

Washington is a international, diverse, and active city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches.

Washington and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Washington than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Washington is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, hiking, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its beaches and small town charm. Washington is well known for its reputation as the capital of the United States, but it's also known for its many monuments, memorials, and museums. Also, Washington is famous for The Washington Monument and the White House. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Washington different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Washington. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Washington is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Washington on the map. The city has world class museums that are often free. The Smithsonian Museums are arguably some of the most impressive museums in the United States. The city also has a large collection of monuments that are dedicated to past presidents or historical events. Many are best experienced at night when the sun sets and the lights come on.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Theater?

Washington is a well-known place for its shows and theatre. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a theatre destination.

Washington attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. Theater is popular in the city. From major theaters like the Kennedy Center and Ford's Theater, to lesser known smaller venues, there are options for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Washington is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Washington have been singled out for their culinary prowess. This city is among the most diverse in the country, so you can find restaurants from almost any cuisine here. It's worth exploring and stepping out of your comfort zone. There are popular neighborhoods for Ethiopian, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese food, among many others.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

Is Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Washington is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Washington offers plenty to do in the evening. Many visitors head straight to the museums and the National Mall, and don't realize what a livable and fun city this is. Some of the best nightlife is found in Dupont Circle, U Street, and even Arlington, VA. The city's young population ensures that there's never a dull moment.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Music?

Washington is a city with good options for its music scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Washington. Notable live music venues include the 9:30 Club, the Anthem, and Union Stage.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a live music destination.

Is Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its beaches. However, Washington is not a beach destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Washington is not a beach destination.

Is Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Hiking?

Washington is a moderate city for the nearby hiking options. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Hiking is a fun activity while in Washington. Just outside of Washington DC you'll find plenty of places to go hiking. There's also an elaborate bike and walking trail system in the city. To enjoy a bit of nature, head to Teddy Roosevelt Island.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

If you're looking to go shopping, Washington and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer plenty of superb spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Washington. Head to Georgetown and Dupont Circle for some of the city's best local shopping. There are name brand chains mixed in with local boutiques. You'll also find plenty of souvenir shops in the more touristy areas if you're looking to pick up some trinkets.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Is Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Christmas?

Washington is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not offer Christmas activities.

Washington is a world class destination during the Christmas season. With it's beautiful lights and holiday shows, Christmas is beautiful in the capital of the United States.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Washington is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Washington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It is a fun and educational destination where kids can explore world class museums and try unique foods from all around the world. The city has nationally recognized landmarks, monuments, and memorials and it's also home to some of the best (free) museums in the United States including the world class Smithsonian Institutions. Many schools visit Washington DC as a field trip, particularly during the Spring months, so you'll kids groups in colorful t-shirts running around the National Mall.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Both Washington and Carmel-by-the-Sea are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Washington is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city lights up at night, so couples will enjoy wandering by the monuments in the evening or taking in a dinner and show. During the Spring months you'll find couples wandering through the Cherry Blossoms or along the waterfront.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Is Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

Washington is renowned for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Washington is a very popular city for students. International students come from around the world to study, learn, intern, and work in the capital of the United States. There are many internships available through the federal government as well as NGOs and nonprofits.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Is Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Washington is renowned for its public transit. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Washington has a great public transit system. The metro system and the bus system are reliable and efficient ways to explore the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Washington is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Washington on foot. Many neighborhoods around the city are easy to explore on foot. Most tourists spend a lot of time in the Mall area, which is very pedestrian friendly.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is very walkable. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

For even more information, also check out Is Washington Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Washington?

How long in Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Washington and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Washington than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Washington, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Washington than Carmel-by-the-Sea. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Washington that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Washington than Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Washington.

One day in Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

When visiting Washington, people usually allow for lots of time. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carmel-by-the-Sea, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

When visiting Washington, people usually allow for lots of time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

When visiting Washington, people usually allow for lots of time. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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.

A week in Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Washington is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Washington Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Washington has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Washington and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Washington during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Washington for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Washington is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Washington average around 79°F (26°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Washington usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Washington and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Washington in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Washington is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in Washington averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Washington usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Washington as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Washington for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Washington can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Washington is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in Washington in January average around 35°F (1°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Washington usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Washington or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Washington because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In April, Washington is generally around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Washington average around 56°F (14°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Washington usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Washington