A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America West Palm Beach vs. Santa Barbara for Resorts, Beaches, Couples, and Food

Should you visit West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara?

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

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara? 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.

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a vibrant, fun-filled, and diverse beach area. Other popular activities here include beaches, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a affluent, scenic, and stunning coastal town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

West Palm Beach and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although West Palm Beach and Santa Barbara are roughly the same size, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while West Palm Beach is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling. West Palm Beach is well known for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports. Santa Barbara is well known for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. Also, Santa Barbara is famous for The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

How is West Palm Beach different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its historical sights. However, West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Santa Barbara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, West Palm Beach is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Santa Barbara. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in West Palm Beach. Oceanfront restaurants usually have a great view and offer local and fresh seafood. There are also many local restaurants concentrated around Clematis Street and CityPlace districts.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

West Palm Beach is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.

West Palm Beach offers plenty to do in the evening. With rooftop bars and clubs, oceanfront venues, and plenty of nightlife options downtown, this city rivals most places when it comes to nightlife. The nightlife scene is particularly active during spring break, when university students head to town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Santa Barbara. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

West Palm Beach is renowned for its resorts. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its luxury resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, West Palm Beach is a great choice. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Santa Barbara. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

West Palm Beach is a well-known place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting West Palm Beach. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Santa Barbara. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both West Palm Beach and Santa Barbara are first-rate choices.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in West Palm Beach. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.

With world-famous beaches, Santa Barbara is a very popular vacation destination. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a popular place for its historic old town. However, West Palm Beach does not have a historic old town.

Santa Barbara is a good destination for visiting its old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

West Palm Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is very popular for hiking. However, West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

People visit Santa Barbara specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is very popular for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Santa Barbara. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara.

West Palm Beach is a very family-friendly destination. Animal lovers will appreciate the zoos and aquariums in the area. Check out McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Manatee Lagoon, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

Santa Barbara is a very kid-friendly beach area. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is very popular for romance. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for its romantic activities.

Santa Barbara makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

West Palm Beach is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy kayaking, dining out, or simply relaxing on the beach. It's fun to spend a day exploring the botanical gardens and an evening wandering around Clematis Street.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its student-friendly activities. However, West Palm Beach is not popular with students.

Santa Barbara is a very popular coastal town for students and younger travelers. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

West Palm Beach is not popular with students.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

West Palm Beach and Santa Barbara both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While West Palm Beach offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a downtown trolley, a commuter trail line (connecting West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), and a bus system with about 30 lines.

Santa Barbara has a few public transit options. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its walkability. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for its high level of walkability.

Santa Barbara is very walkable. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

West Palm Beach is a somewhat walkable place. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is West Palm Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or West Palm Beach?

How long in West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both West Palm Beach and Santa Barbara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in West Palm Beach than in Santa Barbara. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for West Palm Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santa Barbara than West Palm Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santa Barbara that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Barbara than West Palm Beach 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 Barbara.

One day in West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the diverse destination of West Palm Beach. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The scenic destination of Santa Barbara offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in West Palm Beach. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The coastal town of Santa Barbara offers food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the diverse destination of West Palm Beach. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This beach area offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Santa Barbara is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the beach area of West Palm Beach. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Barbara. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 West Palm Beach and Santa Barbara, we can see that West Palm Beach is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Barbara 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 West Palm Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in West Palm Beach than you might in Santa Barbara.

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

Which is Bigger, West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of West Palm Beach. When comparing the sizes of West Palm Beach and Santa Barbara, 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 West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara?

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 West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

Both Santa Barbara and West Palm Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to West Palm Beach because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

In July, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 82°F (28°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. West Palm Beach gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both West Palm Beach and Santa Barbara. Also, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

West Palm Beach is much warmer than Santa Barbara in the autumn. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 78°F (25°C) in October, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

West Palm Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. West Palm Beach gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in West Palm Beach is June to November.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to West Palm Beach as well as Santa Barbara. Many travelers come to West Palm Beach for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, West Palm Beach is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the winter temperatures in West Palm Beach in January average around 65°F (19°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 52°F (11°C).

West Palm Beach usually gets less rain in January than Santa Barbara. West Palm Beach gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

Both Santa Barbara and West Palm Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to West Palm Beach in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 74°F (23°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In April, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. West Palm Beach gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in West Palm Beach.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and West Palm Beach