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

Should you visit Asheville or Santa Monica?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Asheville and Santa Monica. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Asheville

Asheville is a eclectic, outdoorsy, and progressive mountain town. Asheville is a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Asheville travel costs.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a funfilled, energetic, and active town. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Asheville and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Santa Monica?

You'll generally find more things to do in Santa Monica than Asheville. Santa Monica is bigger than Asheville, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Santa Monica is better known for its museums and attractions and beaches, while Asheville is more popular for its music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Santa Monica is more touristy than Asheville and is known for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier. Asheville is well known for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue.

How is Asheville different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Asheville or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Santa Monica offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Asheville or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Santa Monica can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Asheville. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Santa Monica has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Asheville or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Asheville and Santa Monica.

Asheville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Many people head to Santa Monica for the nightlife scene. 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.

Is Asheville or Santa Monica Better for Music?

Asheville is notable for its live music scene. However, Santa Monica is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Asheville. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Santa Monica is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Santa Monica Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a popular place for its resorts. However, Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Asheville makes a nice vacation spot. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Santa Monica offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Asheville or Santa Monica Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its old town. However, Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Asheville. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Santa Monica Better for Hiking?

Asheville is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Asheville is a popular spot for hiking. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Santa Monica?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Santa Monica and Asheville.

Asheville is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Is Asheville or Santa Monica More Beautiful?

Asheville is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Santa Monica is not a destination known for its beauty.

Asheville is a beautiful place to visit, too. With the surrounding mountains and the charming town, the area is filled with natural beauty.

Santa Monica is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Asheville or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Santa Monica is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Asheville. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Is Asheville or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Asheville and Santa Monica both superb destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Asheville frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Santa Monica is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Is Asheville or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Asheville is a great mountain town to visit for backpackers. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Santa Monica is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is Asheville or Santa Monica Better for Students?

Asheville is notable for students. However, Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Santa Monica is not popular with students.

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

Santa Monica is well known for its public transit. However, Asheville is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Santa Monica can get you around easily. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around by using their own vehicle. In particular, if you plan to hike or explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll need a car. Many of the downtown hotels offer shuttle buses to the Biltmore area.

Is Asheville or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to reach restaurants and shops on foot. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Monica Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Asheville and Santa Monica. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Asheville than Santa Monica. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Asheville. 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 Asheville than Santa Monica. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Asheville that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Asheville or Santa Monica?

In Asheville, many people enjoy the live music and food that this open-minded mountain town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Monica. 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 Monica has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Santa Monica?

Asheville is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the energetic destination of Santa Monica. 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 Asheville or Santa Monica?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the progressive destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 active town of Santa Monica. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Santa Monica?

Asheville is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Santa Monica 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 Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville 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 Asheville.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville 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 Asheville 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 Asheville or Santa Monica in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Santa Monica. The hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Asheville is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Santa Monica. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Asheville is cooler than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asheville in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Santa Monica in the Winter?

Both Santa Monica and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Asheville is generally much colder than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In January, Asheville usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica and Asheville during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches.

Asheville is around the same temperature as Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 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 Asheville