A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Arlington vs. Santa Cruz for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Arlington or Santa Cruz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Santa Cruz, 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.

Arlington

Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Arlington travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Arlington and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Santa Cruz?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Cruz than Arlington. While Arlington is larger than Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Cruz is better known for its beaches and hiking, while Arlington is more popular for its museums and attractions and food. Arlington is well known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Santa Cruz is well known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is famous for Santa Cruz Wharf.

How is Arlington different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arlington or Santa Cruz?

Arlington is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Arlington offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Is the Food Better in Arlington or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arlington is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arlington makes for a great culinary experience. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Santa Cruz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Is Arlington or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Both Arlington and Santa Cruz have very good vibes after the sun sets.

Arlington has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

The people in Santa Cruz know how to have a good time. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Is Arlington or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Santa Cruz. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is Arlington or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz has hiking trails worth exploring. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Santa Cruz?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Arlington and Santa Cruz.

Arlington has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Santa Cruz is a great destination for shopping. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Arlington or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Santa Cruz. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Arlington or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Santa Cruz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Arlington or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is notable for backpackers. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Santa Cruz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Is Arlington or Santa Cruz Better for Students?

Arlington is notable for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Arlington is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

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

Arlington is very popular for its public transit. However, Santa Cruz is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Arlington has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is mostly limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Arlington or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Santa Cruz. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

Arlington is very walkable. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

For even more information, also check out Is Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Arlington or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Arlington than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Arlington, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Santa Cruz 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 Arlington.

One day in Arlington or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the international city of Arlington, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Cruz. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Cruz has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Arlington or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Arlington, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Arlington or Santa Cruz?

Arlington, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back town of Santa Cruz. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Arlington or Santa Cruz?

Arlington 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.

Santa Cruz is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arlington and Santa Cruz, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Santa Cruz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arlington Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Santa Cruz?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Santa Cruz, 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 Arlington or Santa Cruz?

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 Arlington or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Santa Cruz. Many visitors come to Arlington in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Arlington is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Arlington in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Arlington usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Arlington for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Arlington is generally cooler than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 60°F (15°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Arlington usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arlington or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Arlington during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Arlington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

The weather in Arlington can be very cold. Arlington is much colder than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 35°F (1°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Arlington usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Santa Cruz. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Santa Cruz. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches.

In the spring, Arlington is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Arlington in April average around 56°F (14°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Arlington usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Arlington