A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlotte vs. Santa Barbara for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Charlotte or Santa Barbara?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Santa Barbara can help you decide which place is right for you.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a evolving, up-and-coming, and growing city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Charlotte travel costs.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a stunning, wealthy, and opulent coastal town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Many visitors also come to Santa Barbara because of it's amazing beauty. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

Charlotte and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlotte or Santa Barbara?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Barbara than Charlotte. While Charlotte is larger than Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is more touristy than Charlotte and is popular 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. Charlotte is famous for its banking industry and growing Uptown area.

How is Charlotte different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Barbara and Charlotte. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlotte or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is great for its historical sights. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Charlotte is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

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

Santa Barbara is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Barbara has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Charlotte offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

Is Charlotte or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Charlotte and Santa Barbara.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlotte has a few options to choose from. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Charlotte or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is great for its luxury resorts. However, Charlotte is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Santa Barbara. 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.

Charlotte is not a resort destination.

Is Charlotte or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Charlotte is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Santa Barbara. 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.

Charlotte is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Charlotte or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is terrific for the beach. However, Charlotte is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Santa Barbara is a very popular vacation destination. 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.

Charlotte is not a beach destination.

Is Charlotte or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Charlotte does not have a historic old town.

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

Charlotte does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlotte or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is terrific for hiking. However, Charlotte is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Santa Barbara specifically for its hiking. 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.

Charlotte is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlotte or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Santa Barbara specifically to go shopping. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Charlotte is a great destination for shopping. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

Is Charlotte or Santa Barbara More Beautiful?

Santa Barbara is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Charlotte is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Santa Barbara because of it's amazing beauty. 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.

Charlotte is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Charlotte or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Santa Barbara is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Santa Barbara. 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.

Charlotte is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Is Charlotte or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is terrific for couples. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Santa Barbara has plenty to offer. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Charlotte is a nice destination for couples. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

Is Charlotte or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

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.

Charlotte is a good city to visit for students. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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

Charlotte and Santa Barbara both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Charlotte offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Santa Barbara has a few public transit options. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Is Charlotte or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Charlotte is somewhat walkable. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlotte Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Charlotte?

How long in Charlotte or Santa Barbara?

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

Families should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Charlotte. 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 Charlotte. 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the up-and-coming destination of Charlotte. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal town of Santa Barbara. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Charlotte or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlotte. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the wealthy destination of Santa Barbara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Charlotte or Santa Barbara?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the up-and-coming destination of Charlotte. This city 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the wealthy coastal town of Santa Barbara. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Charlotte or Santa Barbara?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Charlotte. 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.

Santa Barbara is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

When comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Santa Barbara, we can see that Charlotte 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 Charlotte Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Santa Barbara?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte 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 Charlotte or Santa Barbara?

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 Charlotte or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

Both Santa Barbara and Charlotte during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Charlotte for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Charlotte is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the summer. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Santa Barbara. The autumn months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

In the autumn, Charlotte is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlotte in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlotte or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Santa Barbara. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Charlotte is generally much colder than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 42°F (6°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Charlotte usually gets more rain in January than Santa Barbara. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

Both Santa Barbara and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Charlotte for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Charlotte is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the spring. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In April, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Charlotte