A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America West Palm Beach vs. Santa Cruz for Beaches, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz? 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 fun-filled, diverse, and vibrant beach area. It's also known for nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a coastal, scenic, and laid back town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

West Palm Beach and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Cruz than West Palm Beach. While West Palm Beach is larger than Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Cruz is more popular for its museums, food, hiking, and shopping, while West Palm Beach is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. West Palm Beach is popular for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports. Santa Cruz is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also home to Santa Cruz Wharf.

How is West Palm Beach different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Cruz 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 Cruz?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its historical sights. However, West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Santa Cruz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, West Palm Beach is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Santa Cruz. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

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 Cruz Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find high quality options in both West Palm Beach and Santa Cruz.

The nightlife in West Palm Beach has something for everybody. 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.

Santa Cruz offers plenty to do in the evening. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

West Palm Beach is very popular for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

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.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

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

West Palm Beach is notable for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Santa Cruz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Santa Cruz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

West Palm Beach is very popular for its beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beache.

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.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for hiking. However, West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz is a good destination for hiking. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

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

Santa Cruz is a popular place for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

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

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 Cruz is a very kid-friendly beach area. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both West Palm Beach and Santa Cruz make for a high quality place to visit.

West Palm Beach is a great beach area if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for couples. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Is West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, West Palm Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

West Palm Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

West Palm Beach is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Cruz is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

West Palm Beach has a few public transit options. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

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

Santa Cruz is very popular 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 Cruz is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

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 Cruz Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in West Palm Beach than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for West Palm Beach, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz 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 Cruz.

One day in West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the diverse beach area of West Palm Beach, 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. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The coastal destination of Santa Cruz offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of West Palm Beach, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

The town of Santa Cruz offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Cruz?

West Palm Beach, a popular beach area, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this beach area. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Santa Cruz is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This 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 Cruz?

West Palm Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this beach area makes for a great vacation. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this beach area has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Cruz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Cruz, we can see that West Palm Beach is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Cruz.

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 Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, West Palm Beach or Santa Cruz?

West Palm Beach has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of West Palm Beach and Santa Cruz, 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 Cruz?

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 Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz 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. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

West Palm Beach is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°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 Cruz. West Palm Beach gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both West Palm Beach and Santa Cruz. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, West Palm Beach is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in West Palm Beach in October average around 78°F (25°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°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 Cruz. West Palm Beach gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in West Palm Beach is the hurricane season.

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

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

In January, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 65°F (19°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

West Palm Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Santa Cruz. West Palm Beach gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santa Cruz 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 Cruz for the beaches during these months.

West Palm Beach is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 74°F (23°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. West Palm Beach gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in West Palm Beach is June to November.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and West Palm Beach