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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea? 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.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a friendly, under-rated, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, 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 food, beaches, and shopping.

Winston-Salem and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Winston-Salem and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more sights and attractions for tourists. Carmel-by-the-Sea is very popular for its food, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Winston-Salem attracts visitors for its nightlife and historical sights. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also well known for Pebble Beach Golf Course. Winston-Salem is famous for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Winston-Salem. Old Salem has a nice concentration of museums and gardens. Outside of the old town you'll find several art museums like the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art.

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 Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Carmel-by-the-Sea is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Winston-Salem. North Carolina barbecue is popular around town. The city is also the birthplace of Krispy Kreme donuts and during the holiday season you should sample the local Moravian Cookies.

Is Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Winston-Salem is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Winston-Salem. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

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 Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is notable for the beach. However, Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

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

Winston-Salem is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Winston-Salem offers a nice historic old town area. Nearby Old Salem is filled with historic museums, gardens, and restaurants. A ticket is required for most of the venues, but the atmosphere and architecture are charming.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Winston-Salem. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Winston-Salem is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums like the Kaleideum science museums. There are also outdoor parks and playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, and a children's theater.

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 Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is notable for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

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.

Winston-Salem is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are restaurants and movie theaters that make for a nice date night. There are also parks and walks that will get you outdoors.

Is Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

Winston-Salem is a city with good options for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Winston-Salem is a good city to visit for students. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

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

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

Both Winston-Salem and Carmel-by-the-Sea offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Winston-Salem. There are bus routes, but they are limited in their frequency and convenience, making a car essential for most visitors.

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 Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city 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.

Winston-Salem is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is the most pedestrian-friendly part of town, but most of the city requires a car.

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

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

How long in Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

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

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

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

One day in Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Winston-Salem, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the under-rated city of Winston-Salem, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

Five days in Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly destination of Winston-Salem. 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 it's a great destination if you're short on time. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Winston-Salem is a popular choice for travelers. This city 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 small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Winston-Salem is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Winston-Salem. In July, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Winston-Salem during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The winter months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

The weather in Winston-Salem can be very cold. In January, Winston-Salem is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 40°F (4°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Additionally, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 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 Winston-Salem