A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cape Canaveral vs. Santa Cruz for Attractions, Families, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral is a fascinating, wonder-filled, and unique town. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping. See Cape Canaveral travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Cape Canaveral and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz than Cape Canaveral, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Cruz is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Cape Canaveral is more popular for its museums and attractions and resorts. Cape Canaveral is well known for being the location of the Kennedy Space Center and at the heart of space exploration in the United States. Santa Cruz is well known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is famous for Santa Cruz Wharf.

How is Cape Canaveral different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cape Canaveral is very popular 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.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Cape Canaveral that are not to be missed. The area has become synonymous with the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors head to the Space Coast to see the museums, learn about the space program, or possibly even see a rocket launch. The attractions are world class and offer a truly unique glimpse into the evolution of space travel.

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 Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Cape Canaveral and Santa Cruz can be an enjoyable experience.

Cape Canaveral is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's a small town but there's no shortage of excellent seafood in the area. Many restaurants have outdoor seating and patios that let you take advantage of the Florida sunshine. You'll find crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams on many menus around town.

Santa Cruz offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a great town for its evening party scene. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Santa Cruz has something for everybody. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Most people don't head to Cape Canaveral specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The area isn't known for its nightlife scene, but there are enough places that you can go out for a good meal and drink.

Is Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Cape Canaveral is a popular place for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Cape Canaveral has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a number of resorts in the area that attract visitors. Some of the most popular are the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort and the Radisson Resort.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a great town for the beach. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Santa Cruz. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Cape Canaveral. You'll likely want to head to the Cocoa Beach area for the best beaches. Jetty Park Beach and Pier is one of the most popular nearby areas for fishing and camping, but visitors must purchase a pass. Other popular beaches include Playalinda Beach and Cherie Down Park.

Is Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Cape Canaveral is not a hiking destination.

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

Cape Canaveral is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz?

If you're looking to go shopping, Cape Canaveral and Santa Cruz both offer plenty of notable spots.

Cape Canaveral has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are some nice local shopping areas around town. For a little retail therapy, head to Banana River Square, White Rose Shopping Center, or Belair Courtyard.

Santa Cruz is a great destination for shopping. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Cape Canaveral is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cape Canaveral is a very family-friendly destination. What sets this area apart is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. There are many kid-friendly activities that outer space enthusiasts will love. Planet Play is a highlight, and if your timing is right, you might even see a rocket launch. In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, the area is a quintessential beach town. There are parks and outdoor areas as well as places where kids can interact with animals.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Cruz is very family-friendly. 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 Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Cape Canaveral and Santa Cruz are both very good to visit as a couple.

Cape Canaveral is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful Florida beaches, combined with the unique opportunity to visit the Kennedy Space Center, make this a fascinating couple's destination. There are also many nice restaurants and great places to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for backpackers.

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.

Cape Canaveral is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You won't find any hostels in the area, but you may have some luck finding affordable accommodation nearby.

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

Santa Cruz is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cape Canaveral. There are very limited public transportation options, but there are a few shuttle buses and SCAT (the Space Coast Area Transit). Route 9 travels from Cocoa to Port Canaveral with service available Monday through Saturday.

Is Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its walkability.

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

Cape Canaveral is not a walkable town. It's not a walkable area, which can be particularly challenging if you're arriving by cruise ship.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Cape Canaveral?

How long in Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Cape Canaveral. 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 Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz?

With museums and food around the fascinating town of Cape Canaveral, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cape Canaveral, one day is sufficent for most.

In Santa Cruz, you'll find museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz?

With food and shopping around the destination of Cape Canaveral, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Santa Cruz is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz?

Cape Canaveral, a popular 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz?

Cape Canaveral is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the town of Santa Cruz. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cape Canaveral. When comparing the sizes of Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Cape Canaveral during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cape Canaveral in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Cape Canaveral is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cape Canaveral in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cape Canaveral. Cape Canaveral usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Cape Canaveral gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Canaveral and Santa Cruz. Most visitors come to Cape Canaveral for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Cape Canaveral is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Cape Canaveral average around 74°F (24°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Cape Canaveral gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Cape Canaveral gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Cape Canaveral.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cape Canaveral as well as Santa Cruz. The winter months attract visitors to Cape Canaveral because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

Cape Canaveral is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Cape Canaveral usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Cape Canaveral gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Cape Canaveral are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Cape Canaveral this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches.

In the spring, Cape Canaveral is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cape Canaveral in April average around 70°F (21°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Cape Canaveral gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Cape Canaveral is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Cape Canaveral