A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Woodstock vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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

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

Should I visit Woodstock 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.

Where Should I go: Woodstock or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Woodstock

While this town does lend its name to the 1969 Woodstock Festival, the legendary event was actually held on a dairy farm almost 60 miles away in Bethel, NY. So if you are looking to see the field where it all happened and a museum dedicated to its history, you will need to take a day trip outside of town.

Woodstock, New York, however, does stay true to the spirit of the arts. Since 1903, the place lay home to Byrdcliffe Art Colony, the oldest of its kind in the nation, and even attracted artists of the Hudson River School during the late 1800s. Today, artists from all disciplines-visual, ceramic, music, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, playwriting, and poetry-take up residence at the colony and have works displayed in galleries open in the main part of town.

Tinker Street and Mill Hill Road are lined with a mix of restaurants and shops all teeming with the essence of hippie living, arts, and spirituality. From shops selling Woodstock paraphernalia, incense, and Himalayan products, to yoga studios, vegan restaurants, and local art galleries-the town of Woodstock is one dedicated to keeping the spirit of the Woodstock Festival and the arts alive.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.

Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.

If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.

If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Woodstock. When comparing the sizes of Woodstock 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 Woodstock 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 Woodstock or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

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

In July, Woodstock is generally a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Woodstock average around 74°F (24°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Woodstock usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Woodstock gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Woodstock during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, 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.

Woodstock is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in Woodstock averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Woodstock usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Woodstock gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Woodstock and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

The weather in Woodstock can be very cold. In the winter, Woodstock is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in Woodstock in January average around 25°F (-4°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In January, Woodstock usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Woodstock gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

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

In April, Woodstock is generally cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Woodstock average around 49°F (10°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Woodstock usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Woodstock gets 3.7 inches (95 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 Woodstock