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

Should you visit Baltimore or Santa Monica?

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 Monica can help you decide which place is right for you.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a vibrant, diverse, and colorful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Baltimore travel costs.

Santa Monica

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

Baltimore and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Baltimore or Santa Monica?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santa Monica than Baltimore. While Baltimore is larger than Santa Monica, Santa Monica has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santa Monica is better known for its beaches, while Baltimore is more popular for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Santa Monica is more touristy than Baltimore and is known for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier. Baltimore is well known for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities.

How is Baltimore different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Baltimore is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Monica 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Monica. 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 Baltimore or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Baltimore and Santa Monica both to be great destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Baltimore. 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 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 Baltimore or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

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

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 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 Baltimore or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Baltimore is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Santa Monica is a very popular vacation destination. 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.

Baltimore is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Baltimore or Santa Monica?

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

Baltimore is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

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 Baltimore or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Monica is one of the most popular family destinations. 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 Baltimore. 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.

Is Baltimore or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

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

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

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 Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Baltimore and Santa Monica are notable 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 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.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Baltimore and Santa Monica.

Public transit in Baltimore can get you to some places easily. 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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Santa Monica. 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 Baltimore or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Baltimore and Santa Monica both are great when exploring on foot.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Baltimore?

How long in Baltimore or Santa Monica?

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

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Baltimore. 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 Baltimore. 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.

One day in Baltimore or Santa Monica?

In Baltimore, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this colorful city offers. 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 Baltimore or Santa Monica?

Baltimore 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the funfilled 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 Baltimore or Santa Monica?

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

Baltimore 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.

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 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 comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Baltimore or Santa Monica?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Baltimore 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore or Santa Monica in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Baltimore and Santa Monica. 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 Monica because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Baltimore is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Baltimore averages around 78°F (25°C) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Baltimore gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Baltimore usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Baltimore gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Baltimore or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Baltimore is cooler than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Baltimore in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

Baltimore usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Baltimore gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or Santa Monica in the Winter?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Baltimore in the winter. In January, Baltimore is generally much colder than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 32°F (0°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In January, Baltimore usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Baltimore gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Baltimore or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica in the spring for the beaches.

Baltimore is cooler than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Baltimore averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Baltimore usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Baltimore gets 3.1 inches (78 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 Baltimore