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

Should you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise?

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 Boise 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 quaint, charming, and picturesque town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Boise

Boise is a authentic, friendly, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Boise travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Boise: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Carmel-by-the-Sea and Boise are popular destinations, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more sights and attractions for tourists. Carmel-by-the-Sea is very popular for its food, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Boise attracts visitors for its nightlife. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Boise and is popular for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also well known for Pebble Beach Golf Course. Boise is famous for its many outdoor and recreational activities.

How is Carmel-by-the-Sea different from Boise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

Boise is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the state capital, there's a nice selection of local museums around town. Favorites include the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, the Idaho Black History Museum, and Discovery Center.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Boise is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Boise offers some easy restaurants to choose from. While Idaho has long been associated with the potato, the locals usually think of "finger steaks" when describing local food. These are deep-friend beef strips that are as good as they sound.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise Better for Nightlife?

Boise is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Boise. In downtown Boise you'll find a selection of bars, lounges, and breweries. There's enough around town to keep the nightlife scene interesting.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Boise is not a beach destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Boise is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Boise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Boise is a great destination for shopping. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, independent vendors, and suburban shopping centers where you'll find anything that you might need.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Boise is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Boise is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise as a family destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not the most family-friendly destination. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Boise is not always a place people visit with their families. You'll find parks, playgrounds, and the Discovery Center which will help keep kids entertained.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Boise is lacking in options for romance.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Boise is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Date night activities include dining at a nice restaurants and seeing a show at the theater.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Boise offer reasonable public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Boise. There are infrequent buses around town, but visitors usually have a car to get around town efficiently.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Boise is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Boise is generally not very walkable. There are a couple of walkable neighborhoods but, in general, the town isn't very walkable.

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

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

How long in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise?

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

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

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

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

One day in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise?

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a great beach destination, too. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Boise, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

With shopping and museums around the welcoming city of Boise, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a fun place to experience. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the welcoming destination of Boise. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise?

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. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Boise is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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 Boise, we can see that Boise 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 Boise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boise 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 Boise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Boise?

Boise has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Boise, 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.