A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlottesville vs. Santa Cruz for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Charlottesville or Santa Cruz?

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 Santa Cruz. 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 southern, proud, and traditional university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a scenic, laid back, and coastal town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Charlottesville and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Santa Cruz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz. Although Charlottesville and Santa Cruz are popular destinations, Santa Cruz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Cruz is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also well known for Santa Cruz Wharf. Charlottesville is famous 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 Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Charlottesville and Santa Cruz.

Charlottesville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Cruz. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

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

Santa Cruz is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Cruz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a great town 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 Santa Cruz has something for everybody. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a great town for the beach. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Santa Cruz for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Cruz Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Santa Cruz does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Charlottesville to see the historical old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Santa Cruz does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Charlottesville and Santa Cruz, and they are nice.

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.

Santa Cruz is a good destination for hiking. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Cruz More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Cruz is very family-friendly. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

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

Santa Cruz is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Students?

Charlottesville is very popular for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Charlottesville. 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.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

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

Charlottesville and Santa Cruz both offer reasonable 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 Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is terrific for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Santa Cruz is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

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 Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Santa Cruz?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz.

One day in Charlottesville or Santa Cruz?

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The coastal destination of Santa Cruz offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Charlottesville or Santa Cruz?

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this university town.

The town of Santa Cruz offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Santa Cruz?

Charlottesville, a popular university town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Santa Cruz is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Charlottesville or Santa Cruz?

Charlottesville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Cruz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlottesville and Santa Cruz, we can see that Charlottesville is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Charlottesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charlottesville than you might in Santa Cruz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charlottesville Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz?

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 Charlottesville or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Charlottesville during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Charlottesville is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 78°F (26°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Santa Cruz. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Charlottesville is cooler than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 59°F (15°C) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Santa Cruz. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Charlottesville is much colder than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charlottesville in January average around 36°F (2°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in January than Santa Cruz. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches.

In April, Charlottesville is generally around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 58°F (14°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Charlottesville