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

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a student-oriented, collegiate, and southern town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Chapel Hill travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Chapel Hill and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Chapel Hill and Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Chapel Hill attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also well known for Pebble Beach Golf Course. Chapel Hill is famous for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Chapel Hill different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chapel Hill is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Chapel Hill. Many of the museums are affiliated with UNC. A highlight of many trips is a visit to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Hours can vary, so check the schedule ahead of time. Also worth visiting are the Ackland Art Museum and the Carolina Basketball Museum.

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.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chapel Hill. Students often eat on Franklin Street, which has a diverse mix of casual and slightly nicer restaurants. You'll find Indian food, Mediterranean, Italian, and Greek. The city also has excellent barbecue and other southern favorites.

Is Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Chapel Hill is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Chapel Hill offers plenty to do in the evening. Most of the nightlife is centered around the student population. Franklin Street has a number of bars where students hang out. There are also parties hosted by fraternities and sororities. Things are quieter during the summer months when students are mostly gone.

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 Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for the beach. However, Chapel Hill 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.

Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chapel Hill. There are a mix of local shops, larger shopping centers, and suburban malls. There are also weekly farmer's markets that are fun to check out.

Is Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Chapel Hill 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.

Chapel Hill is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Chapel Hill is a town with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Chapel Hill is a family-friendly place to visit. You can wander around the UNC campus or visit one of the museums affiliated with the school. This includes a planetarium that has regular shows and movies (The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center). There are also science exhibits geared specifically towards kids.

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 Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for couples. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Carmel-by-the-Sea frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Chapel Hill is a nice destination for couples. There's an eclectic mix of restaurants on Franklin Street. Couples will also enjoy exploring the campus at UNC, visiting the botanical garden, or checking out one of the town's museums.

Is Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is renowned for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Chapel Hill is a very popular town for students. It's a quintessential college town. UNC has a nice campus and Franklin Street is the main spot for restaurants and shopping. Most of the students live near or on campus, but once you head further out things get more suburban.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

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

Chapel Hill 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.

Chapel Hill has a few public transit options. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

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 Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Chapel Hill is somewhat walkable. The area around UNC is the most walkable part of town. Elsewhere things are very suburban and you'll need a car.

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

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

How long in Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chapel Hill and Carmel-by-the-Sea. In our opinion, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Chapel Hill. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town with plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the southern town of Chapel Hill, 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the collegiate destination of Chapel Hill. 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.

Because Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Chapel Hill is a popular choice for travelers. This town 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.

Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chapel Hill and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Chapel Hill has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Chapel Hill is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Chapel Hill gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chapel Hill in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

The weather in Chapel Hill can be very cold. In January, Chapel Hill is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 40°F (5°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Chapel Hill during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Chapel Hill