A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Chapel Hill vs. Santa Barbara for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara? 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.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a pristine, affluent, and scenic coastal town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. The famous beauty of Santa Barbara is one of the main draws. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

Chapel Hill and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Chapel Hill and Santa Barbara are popular destinations, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Chapel Hill attracts visitors for its nightlife. Santa Barbara is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is known for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also well known for The Old Mission Santa Barbara. Chapel Hill is famous for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Chapel Hill different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara.

Chapel Hill offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Santa Barbara specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

Is the Food Better in Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara is an experience not to be missed. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

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 Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Chapel Hill is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Santa Barbara. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Is Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is well known for its resorts. However, Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

Santa Barbara is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

Is Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is a coastal town with a few options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Chapel Hill is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Santa Barbara has a few snorkeling spots. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Chapel Hill is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is very popular for the beach. However, Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Santa Barbara. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Is Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Chapel Hill does not have a historic old town.

Santa Barbara offers a nice historic old town area. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Chapel Hill does not have a historic old town.

Is Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is very popular for its hiking experiences. However, Chapel Hill is not a hiking destination.

People visit Santa Barbara specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

Chapel Hill is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Santa Barbara is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

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 Santa Barbara More Beautiful?

Santa Barbara is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Chapel Hill is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Santa Barbara is one of the main draws. The city is beautifully situated right by the ocean and offers stunning views and and an amazing setting. It is also filled with opulent houses and grand estates, giving it an air of grandeur.

Chapel Hill is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Santa Barbara is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Barbara is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

Chapel Hill offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is very popular for couples. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Santa Barbara makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

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 Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is renowned for students. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Chapel Hill. 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.

Santa Barbara is very popular with students. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Is Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Chapel Hill and Santa Barbara.

You'll find some public transit in Chapel Hill, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

While Santa Barbara offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Is Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Santa Barbara is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

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 Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Chapel Hill?

How long in Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chapel Hill and Santa Barbara. In our opinion, Santa Barbara has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santa Barbara than Chapel Hill. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Chapel Hill, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Chapel Hill 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 Barbara.

One day in Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the collegiate destination of Chapel Hill. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the wealthy coastal town of Santa Barbara. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chapel Hill. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the wealthy destination of Santa Barbara. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This coastal 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 Santa Barbara?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the southern destination of Chapel Hill. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

The wealthy coastal town of Santa Barbara offers shopping and museums. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Santa Barbara?

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Chapel Hill. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Barbara. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 comparing the travel costs between Chapel Hill and Santa Barbara, we can see that Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill and Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara?

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 Santa Barbara in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Santa Barbara. The summer months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the summer. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Santa Barbara. The shopping scene are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

Both Santa Barbara and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chapel Hill. In January, Chapel Hill is generally much colder than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 40°F (5°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Barbara. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

Both Santa Barbara and Chapel Hill during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the spring. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Chapel Hill