A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Big Pine Key vs. Santa Cruz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Santa Cruz?

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 Big Pine Key and Santa Cruz. 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.

Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Santa Cruz?

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

Santa Cruz

On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Big Pine Key and Santa Cruz, we can see that Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Santa Cruz. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Big Pine Key is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Big Pine Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Santa Cruz. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches.

In April, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Santa Cruz. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Big Pine Key