A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Winston-Salem vs. Santa Monica for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Santa Monica?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Santa Monica? 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 welcoming, friendly, and under-rated city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a active, lively, and funfilled town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Winston-Salem and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Winston-Salem or Santa Monica?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santa Monica than Winston-Salem. While Winston-Salem is larger than Santa Monica, Santa Monica has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santa Monica is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Winston-Salem is known for its historical sights. Santa Monica is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also home to the Santa Monica Pier. Winston-Salem is popular for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Winston-Salem different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Winston-Salem or Santa Monica.

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.

Santa Monica is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History Museum.

Is the Food Better in Winston-Salem or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica is an experience not to be missed. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.

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 Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Santa Monica has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Winston-Salem. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

Is Winston-Salem or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is renowned for the beach. However, Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Santa Monica. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Santa Monica Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its old town. However, Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Winston-Salem to see the old town. 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.

Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.

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 Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Santa Monica is a very family-friendly destination. Many families spend their days hanging out on the beaches, soaking up the sun, and even trying to surf. There's a boardwalk as well as bike paths that are perfect for people watching. You should also check out the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which is a thrilling amusement park.

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

Is Winston-Salem or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Santa Monica is notable for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

Santa Monica is a very popular place to visit for couples. Fun days on the beach, peaceful walks at sunset, and a wild nightlife scene make this the perfect couples destination for couples who enjoy activity and excitement.

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 Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Monica is a popular place for backpackers. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Monica. There's no shortage of activities in the area, whether you're into surfing, partying, or sunbathing. There's also at least one hostel that's great for budget travelers and backpackers.

Winston-Salem is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's not on the itinerary for most backpackers.

Is Winston-Salem or Santa Monica Better for Students?

Winston-Salem is a popular place for students. However, Santa Monica 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.

Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Is Winston-Salem or Santa Monica Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Winston-Salem is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

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.

Santa Monica does not have public transit. The Metro E Line connects the city to downtown Los Angeles. There's also the Big Blue Bus as well the Santa Monica Circuit, which are small electric carts that offer free rides between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street.

Is Winston-Salem or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for its walkability.

Santa Monica is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

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 Santa Monica Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Winston-Salem?

How long in Winston-Salem or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Winston-Salem and Santa Monica. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica.

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

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

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

One day in Winston-Salem or Santa Monica?

In Winston-Salem, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this friendly city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the active destination of Santa Monica. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 Santa Monica?

Winston-Salem is a fun place to experience. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Monica. 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. 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 Santa Monica?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Winston-Salem. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the funfilled destination of Santa Monica. 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 Santa Monica?

Winston-Salem is a popular place to visit. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Santa Monica. 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 Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica is more expensive. And not only is Winston-Salem much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Winston-Salem would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Winston-Salem 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 Santa Monica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Monica than you might in Winston-Salem.

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 Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Santa Monica?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica?

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 Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In July, Winston-Salem is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 81°F (27°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

Both Santa Monica and Winston-Salem during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene.

Winston-Salem is cooler than Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Santa Monica in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Santa Monica. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Winston-Salem. In the winter, Winston-Salem is much colder than Santa Monica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Winston-Salem in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Santa Monica in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Santa Monica. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches during these months.

In April, Winston-Salem is generally around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 61°F (16°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Winston-Salem