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

Should you visit Baltimore or Santa Cruz?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Santa Cruz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a vibrant, diverse, and colorful city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Baltimore travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a scenic, laid back, and coastal town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Baltimore and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Baltimore or Santa Cruz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Baltimore than Santa Cruz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Baltimore is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Santa Cruz attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Baltimore is famous for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also well known for the National Aquarium. Santa Cruz is famous for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches.

How is Baltimore different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Baltimore 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.

Baltimore offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

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 Baltimore or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Baltimore 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, Baltimore makes for a great culinary experience. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

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 Baltimore or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Baltimore and Santa Cruz.

Baltimore is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Many people head to Santa Cruz for the nightlife scene. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Is Baltimore or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is well known for the beach. However, Baltimore is not a beach destination.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Baltimore is not a beach destination.

Is Baltimore or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Baltimore is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Baltimore is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Baltimore or Santa Cruz?

Baltimore is notable for shopping. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Baltimore is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Baltimore or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Baltimore or Santa Cruz.

Baltimore is a very kid-friendly city. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

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.

Is Baltimore or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Santa Cruz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Baltimore is a good city for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

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

Baltimore and Santa Cruz are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Baltimore is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

It's common for backpackers to visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

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

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

Visitors to Baltimore can move around easily with public transportation. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

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

Is Baltimore or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Baltimore is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Baltimore?

How long in Baltimore or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Baltimore or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Baltimore than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Baltimore, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

Couples should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Baltimore. 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore.

One day in Baltimore or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the colorful city of Baltimore, 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 Baltimore or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Baltimore, 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 Baltimore or Santa Cruz?

Baltimore, 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 Baltimore or Santa Cruz?

Baltimore 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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Baltimore or Santa Cruz?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Baltimore 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 Baltimore or Santa Cruz?

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 Baltimore or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Baltimore and Santa Cruz. Most visitors come to Baltimore for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Baltimore is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 78°F (25°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Baltimore gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Baltimore usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Baltimore gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Baltimore or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Baltimore as well as Santa Cruz. The autumn months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

Baltimore is cooler than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Baltimore averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Baltimore usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Baltimore gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Baltimore are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Baltimore in the winter. In the winter, Baltimore is much colder than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Baltimore in January average around 32°F (0°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

In January, Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Cruz. Baltimore gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Baltimore or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Baltimore during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Baltimore for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Baltimore is generally cooler than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 54°F (12°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Baltimore usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Baltimore gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Baltimore