A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Wilmington vs. Santa Barbara for Beaches, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Wilmington or Santa Barbara?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Santa Barbara, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a welcoming, charming, and historic city. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

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.

Wilmington and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Santa Barbara?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara than Wilmington, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Barbara is more touristy than Wilmington and is popular 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. Wilmington is well known for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting.

How is Wilmington different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Wilmington or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is great for its historical sights. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Santa Barbara can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Wilmington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are art, history, and science museums around town. The Battleship North Carolina is a popular destination. Science enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For art, head to the Cameron Art Museum or Art in Bloom Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Wilmington or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Barbara is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Wilmington. Head to the waterfront for local seafood restaurants that offer outdoor seating and fresh caught fish. There are also farm-to-table restaurants and local diners with casual food.

Is Wilmington or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Wilmington and Santa Barbara.

If you're looking for night time activities Wilmington has a few options to choose from. Live music is popular around town. There are also bars, lounges and dance clubs. When the weather is warm, many places make use of the outdoor setting, which makes for a relaxed and fun evening.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Wilmington or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is great for its luxury resorts. However, Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Santa Barbara is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Is Wilmington or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is adequate for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Wilmington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can 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.

Wilmington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Wilmington or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is a must-visit destination for its beaches. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beache.

The beaches in Santa Barbara are among the best in the world. 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.

The beaches at Wilmington attract visitors from all over. Nearby you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They have long stretches of sand and great waves. The water is usually warm enough for swimming between the months of April and October. During these peak months parking can be challenging, but during the quieter times, you shouldn't have trouble.

Is Wilmington or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington and Santa Barbara both have notable historical old towns that attract visitors.

Wilmington is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Many people head to Santa Barbara to see the old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Is Wilmington or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Santa Barbara draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Wilmington offers some nice shopping areas. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Is Wilmington or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Wilmington and Santa Barbara are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Wilmington is a very family-friendly destination. Near town you'll find several beaches - Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They're all family-friendly and perfect for a day's activity. The city also has the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Children's Museum of Wilmington, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. For a rainy day there are also indoor play areas and entertainment centers.

Santa Barbara is a very kid-friendly city. 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 Wilmington or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Santa Barbara has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Wilmington is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beaches are great for a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing. In the evening head into town and enjoy one of the local seafood restaurants on the waterfront. You'll also find great shopping and historical sights in the area.

Is Wilmington or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town to visit as a student. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Wilmington is a good city to visit for students. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

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

Santa Barbara is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Wilmington is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Santa Barbara offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Public transit is generally limited in Wilmington. There are public buses around town, but for practical reasons, you'll want to have your own vehicle.

Is Wilmington or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is great for its walkability. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable place. The Historic District is best explored on foot. You can also get around Wrightsville Beach on foot, but traveling between these places requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wilmington and Santa Barbara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Wilmington than in Santa Barbara. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Wilmington, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

Families should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Wilmington. 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 Wilmington. 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Wilmington. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the affluent coastal town of Santa Barbara, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wilmington or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wilmington. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Santa Barbara, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

Five days in Wilmington or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming destination of Wilmington. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city 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, a popular coastal town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Wilmington or Santa Barbara?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Wilmington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Santa Barbara 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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Santa Barbara?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

Both Santa Barbara and Wilmington during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Wilmington is generally a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 81°F (27°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Santa Barbara. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Wilmington is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wilmington or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Santa Barbara. The winter months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

In the winter, Wilmington is much colder than Santa Barbara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wilmington in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 52°F (11°C).

Wilmington usually gets more rain in January than Santa Barbara. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

Both Santa Barbara and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Wilmington is generally a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 63°F (17°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In April, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Wilmington