A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Clearwater vs. Victoria for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Clearwater or Victoria?

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 Clearwater and Victoria. 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.

Clearwater

Clearwater is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled coastal city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Clearwater travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a scenic, relaxing, and cultural city. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping. See Victoria travel costs.

Clearwater and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Clearwater or Victoria?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Clearwater than Victoria. While Victoria is larger than Clearwater, Clearwater has more sights and attractions for tourists. Clearwater is better known for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Victoria is more popular for its hiking. Clearwater is well known for its beautiful white sand beaches, laid back atmosphere, and watersports. Also, Clearwater is famous for Clearwater Beach. Victoria is well known for its colonial buildings and public parks.

How is Clearwater different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Clearwater or Victoria?

Clearwater is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Clearwater. Perhaps most well known is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, but there are also a surprising number of museums nearby such as the Dalí Museum, the impressive Chihuly Glass Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Victoria is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

Is the Food Better in Clearwater or Victoria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Clearwater is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Clearwater has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to the waterfront for some of the best seafood. Unfortunately this is also where you'll find the highest prices. Shrimp, crab, and a fresh catch of the day are common on many menus.

Victoria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is Clearwater or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Clearwater and Victoria.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Clearwater. You'll find laid back beach clubs, glitzy wine bars, and relaxed bars where you can spend a nice night out.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Victoria. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

Is Clearwater or Victoria Better for Resorts?

Clearwater is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Victoria is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Clearwater to choose from. You'll find a number of nice resorts along the coastline. Some of the most popular are the Sandpearl Resort, the Opal Sands Resort, and the Clearwater Beach Marriott.

Victoria is not a resort destination.

Is Clearwater or Victoria Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Clearwater is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Victoria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Clearwater. There's both snorkeling and diving nearby. Some of the best dive spots are within and hour of the shore and you'll find diving shops that offer trips.

Victoria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Clearwater or Victoria Better for Beaches?

Clearwater is an amazing coastal city to visit for the beach. However, Victoria is not a beach destination.

Clearwater offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Clearwater Beach is on many lists as one of the best beaches in America. It's the most popular beach in the area and it spreads out over 2.5 miles. Sand Key Beach is another popular destination as is the pristine Caladesi Island State Park.

Victoria is not a beach destination.

Is Clearwater or Victoria Better for Hiking?

Victoria is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Clearwater is not a hiking destination.

Victoria offers some nice hiking trails. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.

Clearwater is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Clearwater or Victoria?

Both Clearwater and Victoria are notable shopping destinations.

Clearwater is a great destination for shopping. You'll find all of the standard shopping options in the area such as malls, shopping centers, and outlets. Westfield Countryside Mall is a popular destination as is the Cleveland Street District.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Victoria. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is Clearwater or Victoria Better for Families?

Both Clearwater and Victoria are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Clearwater is a very family-friendly place to visit. Check out the playground and activities around Pier 60. Less crowded and family-friendly Sand Key Park is another favorite spot and the playgrounds at New Coachman Park and Crest Lake Park are also fun. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is another popular attraction for visitors with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Victoria is very family-friendly. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

Is Clearwater or Victoria Better for Couples?

Clearwater and Victoria both excellent destinations for a couple.

Clearwater is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are beautiful parks and beaches as well as romantic activities like sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. Couples will also enjoy dining on local seafood and shopping at the local venues.

Victoria makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.

Is Clearwater or Victoria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Victoria is a good destination for backpackers. However, Clearwater is a mediocre coastal city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

Clearwater is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel in town, and you'll find more affordable prices than in some nearby beach destinations.

Is Clearwater or Victoria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Clearwater and Victoria offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Clearwater. The Clearwater Jolley Trolley connects some of the area's highlights. There are also public buses that run several routes through town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is Clearwater or Victoria a more walkable city?

Victoria is notable for its walkability. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Victoria is very walkable. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

Clearwater is a somewhat walkable place. The waterfront and downtown areas are surprisingly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Clearwater Worth Visiting? and Is Victoria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Victoria or Clearwater?

How long in Clearwater or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either Clearwater or Victoria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Clearwater due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Clearwater, and 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Victoria than Clearwater 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 Victoria.

One day in Clearwater or Victoria?

The coastal city of Clearwater offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the relaxing city of Victoria, there's plenty to do. 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.

A weekend in Clearwater or Victoria?

Clearwater is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Victoria, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Clearwater or Victoria?

Clearwater is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Clearwater, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Victoria, a popular city, 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.

A week in Clearwater or Victoria?

Clearwater is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

Victoria 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Clearwater and Victoria, we can see that Clearwater is more expensive. And not only is Victoria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Victoria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Victoria 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 Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater than you might in Victoria.

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

Which is Bigger, Clearwater or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Clearwater. When comparing the sizes of Clearwater and Victoria, 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 Clearwater or Victoria?

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 Clearwater or Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Clearwater during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Clearwater because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

In July, Clearwater is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 82°F (28°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. Clearwater usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Clearwater gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Clearwater or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Clearwater and Victoria. The shopping scene are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Victoria for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Clearwater is much warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In October, Clearwater usually receives around the same amount of rain as Victoria. Clearwater gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Clearwater is June to November.

Should I visit Clearwater or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Clearwater as well as Victoria. Many travelers come to Clearwater for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Victoria in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Victoria can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Clearwater is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Clearwater in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).

It's quite rainy in Victoria. Clearwater usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Clearwater gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Clearwater or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Clearwater are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Clearwater in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Clearwater is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 71°F (22°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Clearwater usually receives more rain than Victoria. Clearwater gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater.

Typical Weather for Victoria and Clearwater