A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Boone vs. Santa Barbara for Hiking, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Boone or Santa Barbara?

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 Boone and Santa Barbara can help you decide which place is right for you.

Boone

Boone is a charming, relaxing, and quaint town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, Boone attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping. See Boone travel costs.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a stunning, wealthy, and opulent coastal town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Many visitors also come to Santa Barbara because of it's amazing beauty. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

Boone and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boone or Santa Barbara?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Boone and Santa Barbara are popular destinations, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Boone attracts visitors for its skiing, nightlife, and small town charm. Boone is famous for its proximity to great hiking, skiing, and small town charm. Santa Barbara is famous for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also well known for The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

How is Boone different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Boone or Santa Barbara Better for Skiing?

Boone is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Santa Barbara is not a skiing destination.

Boone is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. It's a very popular ski destination in North Carolina. There are family-friendly slopes as well as more challenging options. Head to the popular Appalachian Ski Mountain, nearby Beech Mountain, or Sugar Mountain for some of the area's best skiing.

Santa Barbara is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Boone or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its historical sights. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Santa Barbara specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

Boone is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most people spend the majority of their time exploring the natural beauty, but there are also several small local museums such as the Banner House Museum.

Is the Food Better in Boone or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Barbara has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

Boone offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find farm to table restaurants, local cafes, and all of the standard chain restaurants nearby. Check for a High Country Grown certification if you want to prioritize locally sourced ingredients.

Is Boone or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Boone is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.

Boone offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a small town, but there are local breweries and a great nightlife scene that is, in large part, influenced by the large student population.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Santa Barbara. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Is Boone or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its luxury resorts. However, Boone is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Santa Barbara. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

Boone is not a resort destination.

Is Boone or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Boone is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Santa Barbara. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Boone is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Boone or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for the beach. However, Boone is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Santa Barbara is a very popular vacation destination. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

Boone is not a beach destination.

Is Boone or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Boone does not have a historic old town.

Santa Barbara has an old town worth visiting. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Boone does not have a historic old town.

Is Boone or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for hiking. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit Santa Barbara specifically for its hiking. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

Boone is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with wonderful hikes, particularly around Grandfather Mountain and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The famed Appalachian Trail passes through the area as well. Many hikes take you through beautiful forests, passed dramatic waterfalls, and to breathtaking viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Boone or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many people travel to Santa Barbara specifically to go shopping. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Boone is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Wander along King Street for some of the town's best shopping. There are independent vendors and antique shops that are fun to pop into. The town is also known for its farmer's markets.

Is Boone or Santa Barbara More Beautiful?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Santa Barbara because of it's amazing beauty. The city is beautifully situated right by the ocean and offers stunning views and and an amazing setting. It is also filled with opulent houses and grand estates, giving it an air of grandeur.

Boone is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The surrounding area is filled with great natural beauty and wonderful hikes.

Is Boone or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Boone or Santa Barbara.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Boone. Near town you'll find kid-friendly hikes, such as Linville Falls. There are also several places where kids can go ziplining or rock climbing. Parks and outdoor activities are abundant and the whole family will enjoy the setting.

Santa Barbara is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

Is Boone or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for couples. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Santa Barbara has plenty to offer. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Boone is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming town has a romantic setting with local restaurants, beautiful hikes, and plenty of shopping. Couples enjoy staying at bed and breakfasts and enjoying the quaint atmosphere.

Is Boone or Santa Barbara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Boone is a popular place for backpackers. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boone. While there aren't many hostels in the area, there are plenty of campgrounds. The nearby Appalachian State University also ensures that there are plenty of fun activities for young visitors.

Santa Barbara is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city isn't really known as a budget friendly destination, but there are a couple of hostels in the area. There's also a large student population with a fun nightlife scene.

Is Boone or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Boone is renowned for students. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Boone. This mountain town offers a great setting for students who enjoy hiking and skiing. Appalachian State University is a fun college with plenty of activities going on.

Santa Barbara is very popular with students. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

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

Santa Barbara is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Boone is not known for its public transit.

While Santa Barbara offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Public transit is generally limited in Boone. You really need a car to make the most of your time.

Is Boone or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Boone and Santa Barbara are great when it comes to walkability.

Boone is a very walkable destination. Head to King Street for the best shopping and the most pedestrian-friendly part of town.

Santa Barbara is very walkable. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Boone Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Boone?

How long in Boone or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Boone and Santa Barbara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Boone than in Santa Barbara. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Boone, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

Families should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Boone. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Santa Barbara, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Boone. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santa Barbara that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Boone 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 Barbara.

One day in Boone or Santa Barbara?

Even though Boone is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Santa Barbara, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this opulent destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Boone or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boone. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Barbara. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Boone or Santa Barbara?

Boone is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

Santa Barbara is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Santa Barbara. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Boone or Santa Barbara?

Boone is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find food and shopping around the opulent destination of Santa Barbara. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Boone and Santa Barbara, we can see that Boone 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 Boone Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Boone or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Boone. When comparing the sizes of Boone and Santa Barbara, 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.