A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Bar Harbor vs. Santa Cruz for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bar Harbor and Santa Cruz can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a relaxed, quaint, and charming coastal town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. Bar Harbor is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a coastal, scenic, and laid back town. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Bar Harbor and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Cruz. Although Bar Harbor and Santa Cruz are both popular with visitors, Santa Cruz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Cruz is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and beaches, while Bar Harbor is known for its food, resorts, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Santa Cruz is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also home to Santa Cruz Wharf.

How is Bar Harbor different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Santa Cruz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bar Harbor 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, Bar Harbor makes for a great culinary experience. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

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 Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Santa Cruz offers plenty to do in the evening. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for the beach.

The beaches at Santa Cruz attract visitors from all over. 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.

Bar Harbor offers a nice beach destination. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Both Bar Harbor and Santa Cruz are destinations which offer good hiking.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Bar Harbor. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz?

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

Bar Harbor is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

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

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Bar Harbor is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Cruz is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly coastal town. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Both Bar Harbor and Santa Cruz are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Bar Harbor is a very popular place to visit for couples. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

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.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.

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

Both Bar Harbor and Santa Cruz offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

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

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is terrific for its walkability. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Bar Harbor is a very walkable coastal town. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Bar Harbor. 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 Bar Harbor. 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 Santa Cruz than Bar Harbor 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 Santa Cruz.

One day in Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz?

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the scenic town of Santa Cruz, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Cruz, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz?

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Santa Cruz, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz?

Bar Harbor, a popular coastal town, 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.

Santa Cruz, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz?

Bar Harbor 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 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bar Harbor is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 69°F (21°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In July, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz and Bar Harbor during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Bar Harbor is much colder than Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bar Harbor in October average around 48°F (9°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Santa Cruz. Most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. In January, Bar Harbor is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 18°F (-8°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In January, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Santa Cruz. The spring months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Additionally, the beaches are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

Bar Harbor is much colder than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Bar Harbor