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

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

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Williamsburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a historic, charming, and quaint town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.

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

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Williamsburg. Although Williamsburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Williamsburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Williamsburg is very popular for its museums and historical sights, while Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Williamsburg is famous for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. It is also well known for Colonial Williamsburg. Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Williamsburg is a well-known place 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 a good number of museums and monuments packed into Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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

Foodies will find both Williamsburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea both to be very good destinations.

Dining out in Williamsburg is an experience not to be missed. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

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 Williamsburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Williamsburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea has a better nightlife scene.

Williamsburg is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Carmel-by-the-Sea doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for the beach. However, Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Carmel-by-the-Sea for it's beautiful 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.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Williamsburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Williamsburg is one of the most recognized in the world. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

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

Shopping is a popular activity in both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Williamsburg.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Williamsburg. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 Williamsburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Williamsburg is renowned for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Williamsburg is an extremely popular town to visit for families. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

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 Williamsburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Williamsburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea both very good destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Williamsburg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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 Williamsburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

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

Williamsburg is a very popular town for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

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

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Williamsburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Public transit is generally limited in Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

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 Williamsburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable town. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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

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

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

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Williamsburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Williamsburg than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Williamsburg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.

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

With food and shopping around the destination of Williamsburg, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and museums. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

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

With shopping and museums around the well-preserved town of Williamsburg, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

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

Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the charming destination of Williamsburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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.

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

Williamsburg is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Williamsburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

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

Williamsburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Williamsburg is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Williamsburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The autumn months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In the autumn, Williamsburg is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Williamsburg in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Williamsburg usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Williamsburg in the winter. In January, Williamsburg is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 38°F (4°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Williamsburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Williamsburg is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 57°F (14°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Williamsburg usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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