A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlottesville vs. Monterey for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Charlottesville or Monterey?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Charlottesville and Monterey. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a collegiate, southern, and proud university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Monterey

Monterey is a relaxing, nature-oriented, and laid back city. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Monterey travel costs.

Charlottesville and Monterey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Monterey?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Monterey. Although Charlottesville and Monterey are both popular with visitors, Monterey has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Monterey is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Charlottesville is known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Monterey is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its rugged coastline, diverse marine life, and excellent seafood. It is also home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Charlottesville is popular for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Charlottesville different from Monterey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlottesville or Monterey?

Monterey is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Monterey. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a not-to-be-missed destination in town. You can also visit the Monterey State Historic Park or the Monterey Museum of Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Is the Food Better in Charlottesville or Monterey? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Monterey is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Monterey has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Seafood and local produce are what make the food special. There are many great restaurants to you can choose from that will let you enjoy the classic seafood dishes like clam chowder or oysters, as well as fresh artichokes and local wine.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Charlottesville or Monterey Better for Nightlife?

Monterey is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Monterey has something for everybody. There's a buzzing atmosphere at night with bars, breweries, and casual eateries all coming to life. Some of the best venues are found at the Old Fisherman's Wharf and along Alvarado Street.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Charlottesville or Monterey Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monterey is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Charlottesville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Monterey. Scuba diving offers an unforgettable experience. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary gives you the unique experience of seeing sea lions, otters, kelp forests, crabs, and more.

Charlottesville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Charlottesville or Monterey Better for Beaches?

Monterey is a good destination for the beach. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Monterey offers a nice beach destination. The beaches highlight the laid by California vibe with sunbathers and beachgoers soaking up the atmosphere. There are both inlets and sandy beaches where you can see sea lions or explore the tidal pools.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Charlottesville or Monterey Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Monterey does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville has an old town worth visiting. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Monterey does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Monterey Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Monterey is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville offers some nice hiking trails. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Monterey is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Monterey?

Monterey is a great city for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Monterey is well-known for its shopping. You'll find both local vendors and tourist shops around town. Cannery Row is a popular destination, as is Old Fisherman's Wharf and the Old Farmer's Market.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Monterey More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Monterey is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Monterey is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Charlottesville or Monterey Better for Families?

Monterey is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Monterey is very family-friendly. Monterey Bay Aquarium is a highlight for kids and adults alike. There's also the Monterey Zoo as well as lighthearted activities like a mirror maze. MY Museum is an interactive museum that's perfect for younger kids. There are also whale watching trips and nearby beaches.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Charlottesville or Monterey Better for Couples?

Monterey is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Monterey is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many romantic inns in town as well as quaint restaurants and fun activities. There are also spas, wine bars, and plenty of shopping for couples to enjoy as well.

Charlottesville is a good university town for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Charlottesville or Monterey Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Monterey is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlottesville is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Monterey. There's a hostel in town as well as fun activities that will appeal to backpackers.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Charlottesville or Monterey Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an amazing university town to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Monterey is not popular with students.

Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Monterey is not popular with students.

Is Charlottesville or Monterey Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charlottesville and Monterey both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Public transit is generally limited in Monterey. There is a bus system through the area.

Is Charlottesville or Monterey a more walkable city?

Monterey is a great city for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Monterey is a very walkable city. If you stay near the town center, it's very walkable and easy to get around on foot.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting? and Is Monterey Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Monterey or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Monterey?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Monterey than Charlottesville 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 Monterey.

One day in Charlottesville or Monterey?

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The laid back destination of Monterey offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Charlottesville or Monterey?

Charlottesville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this university town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Charlottesville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

The city of Monterey offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Charlottesville or Monterey?

Charlottesville is a popular choice for travelers. 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 entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Monterey is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Charlottesville or Monterey?

Charlottesville is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This university town offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Monterey. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Charlottesville and Monterey, we can see that Monterey 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 Charlottesville Expensive? and Is Monterey Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Monterey?

Charlottesville has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Monterey. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Monterey, 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 Charlottesville or Monterey?

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 Charlottesville or Monterey in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Monterey. The summer months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.

In the summer, Charlottesville is much warmer than Monterey. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlottesville in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Monterey averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Monterey. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Monterey in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Monterey. The hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Monterey for the shopping scene.

In October, Charlottesville is generally around the same temperature as Monterey. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 59°F (15°C), and Monterey fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in October than Monterey. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Monterey in the Winter?

Both Monterey and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Monterey in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is much colder than Monterey in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Monterey fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Monterey. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Monterey in the Spring?

Both Monterey and Charlottesville during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Monterey for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Charlottesville is around the same temperature as Monterey. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlottesville in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Monterey averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in April than Monterey. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Monterey and Charlottesville