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

Should you visit Cape Canaveral or Santa Monica?

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 Monica, 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. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping. See Cape Canaveral travel costs.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a energetic, active, and lively town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Cape Canaveral and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Monica. Although Cape Canaveral and Santa Monica are both popular with visitors, Santa Monica has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Monica is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Cape Canaveral is known for its museums and attractions and resorts. Santa Monica is more touristy than Cape Canaveral and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also home to the Santa Monica Pier. Cape Canaveral is popular for being the location of the Kennedy Space Center and at the heart of space exploration in the United States.

How is Cape Canaveral different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cape Canaveral is an amazing town to visit 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.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Cape Canaveral are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

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

Santa Monica is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Cape Canaveral offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Cape Canaveral or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Santa Monica has something for everybody. 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.

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 Monica Better for Resorts?

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

With a selection of resorts, Cape Canaveral makes a nice vacation spot. 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 Monica is not a resort destination.

Is Cape Canaveral or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is an unbeatable place for the beach. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

The beaches in Santa Monica are among the best in the world. 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.

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 the Shopping Better in Cape Canaveral or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

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.

Cape Canaveral is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Is Cape Canaveral or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Cape Canaveral and Santa Monica are both fantastic destinations for the whole family.

Cape Canaveral is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. 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.

Santa Monica is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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.

Is Cape Canaveral or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Cape Canaveral and Santa Monica 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 Monica is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Cape Canaveral or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Monica 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 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.

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

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

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.

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 Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is a great town for its ease of walking around. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its walkability.

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

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 Monica Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Cape Canaveral or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cape Canaveral and Santa Monica. In our opinion, Santa Monica has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santa Monica than Cape Canaveral. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Cape Canaveral. 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 Cape Canaveral. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Monica 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 Monica.

One day in Cape Canaveral or Santa Monica?

In Cape Canaveral, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this iconic town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

In Santa Monica, 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 Monica?

Cape Canaveral 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. Lots of people come for the museums. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Santa Monica 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 Monica?

You'll find food and shopping around the unique destination of Cape Canaveral. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

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

A week in Cape Canaveral or Santa Monica?

Cape Canaveral 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the town of Santa Monica. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. 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 comparing the travel costs between Cape Canaveral and Santa Monica, we can see that Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cape Canaveral or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Cape Canaveral. When comparing the sizes of Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral or Santa Monica?

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 Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Cape Canaveral is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Cape Canaveral average around 80°F (27°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cape Canaveral. Cape Canaveral usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. Cape Canaveral gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

Cape Canaveral is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 74°F (24°C) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

Cape Canaveral gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Cape Canaveral gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Cape Canaveral is June to November.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Cape Canaveral as well as Santa Monica. 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 Monica this time of year.

In the winter, Cape Canaveral is around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cape Canaveral in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 57°F (14°C).

Cape Canaveral usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Cape Canaveral gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica for the beaches.

In April, Cape Canaveral is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Cape Canaveral average around 70°F (21°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Cape Canaveral gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Cape Canaveral.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Cape Canaveral