A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Carmel-by-the-Sea vs. Beaver Creek for Families, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Beaver Creek 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek is a adventurous, charming, and active town. Other popular activities here include skiing, food, and hiking. See Beaver Creek travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Beaver Creek: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Beaver Creek than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Beaver Creek is better known for its skiing, theatre productions, resorts, and hiking, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its museums and attractions, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Beaver Creek is more touristy than Carmel-by-the-Sea and is popular for its skiing and charming atmosphere Also, Beaver Creek is famous for Beaver Creek Golf Club. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Carmel-by-the-Sea different from Beaver Creek?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beaver Creek and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek Better for Skiing?

Beaver Creek is renowned for snow skiing. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a skiing destination.

Visitors will find world class skiing in Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek Ski Resort is a top ski destination with 26 lifts and 149 different trails. It climbs to an elevation of 11,440 feet and the village is filled with ski-in/ski-out accommodation. There's also an excellent ski school.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Beaver Creek does not have museums and landmarks.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Beaver Creek does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek Better for Theater?

Beaver Creek is not a good place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a theatre destination.

Beaver Creek has a few theater choices. There are a couple of art galleries around town.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Beaver Creek.

Dining out in Carmel-by-the-Sea is an experience not to be missed. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Beaver Creek. There are many great dining options where you can enjoy a meal after working up an appetite on the slopes. The cuisine has many mountain classics as well as fine dining and more casual restaurants.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek Better for Nightlife?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Beaver Creek are respectable when it comes to partying.

Most people don't head to Carmel-by-the-Sea specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Beaver Creek. You won't find a wild nightlife scene, but most of the activities center around the Vilar Performing Arts Center.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek Better for Resorts?

Beaver Creek is a town with good options for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Beaver Creek has a few great resort options. There are many resorts in the area including the Westin and the Hyatt.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its beaches. However, Beaver Creek is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Beaver Creek is not a beach destination.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek Better for Hiking?

Beaver Creek is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Beaver Creek is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding countryside is filled with trails that take you through flowered meadows, along scenic ridgelines, and to the top of dramatic peaks. During the warmer months, hiking is a wonderful way to enjoy the area.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for shopping. Also, Beaver Creek is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Beaver Creek offers some nice shopping areas. The village has pedestrian streets that are lined with fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, sporting equipment stores, and art galleries.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Beaver Creek is not a destination known for its beauty.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Beaver Creek is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek Better for Families?

Beaver Creek is renowned for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Beaver Creek is an extremely popular town to visit for families. This is one of the most kid-friendly ski resorts in the country. There's a ski and snowboard school where kids can enjoy private or group lessons as well as other fun activities for kids. There are also many family-friendly restaurants in the area.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek Better for Couples?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Beaver Creek are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Beaver Creek makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic resorts nearby as well as great adventure sports, skiing, snowboarding, and a beautiful setting.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Beaver Creek is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Beaver Creek has a few public transit options. There free transportation that's offered by Village Transportation.

Public transit is mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek a more walkable city?

Beaver Creek is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Beaver Creek on foot. It's a quaint little village that is very walkable.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is very walkable. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

For even more information, also check out Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting? and Is Beaver Creek Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beaver Creek or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

How long in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Beaver Creek have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beaver Creek than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Carmel-by-the-Sea, and 3-7 days is enough time in Beaver Creek.

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

Couples should spend more time in Beaver Creek than Carmel-by-the-Sea. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Beaver Creek that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beaver Creek than Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Beaver Creek.

One day in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and museums. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

With skiing and food around the destination of Beaver Creek, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With food and shopping around the adventurous town of Beaver Creek, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

With shopping and skiing around the active destination of Beaver Creek, there's plenty to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

A week in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Beaver Creek?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Beaver Creek is a popular choice for travelers. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One of the main draws to the area is the skiing. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Beaver Creek, we can see that Beaver Creek is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Beaver Creek would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beaver Creek than you might in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive? and Is Beaver Creek Expensive?.