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

Should you visit Cleveland or Santa Cruz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cleveland or Santa Cruz, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a under-rated, diverse, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and shopping. See Cleveland travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a coastal, scenic, and laid back town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Cleveland and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cleveland or Santa Cruz?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Cruz than Cleveland. While Cleveland is larger than Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Cruz is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Cleveland is known for its museums and attractions and music. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Cleveland and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also home to Santa Cruz Wharf. Cleveland is popular for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Cleveland different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cleveland or Santa Cruz?

Cleveland is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Cleveland offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

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

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Santa Cruz. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Cleveland or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Santa Cruz has a large number of nightlife venues. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Cleveland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Cleveland or Santa Cruz Better for Music?

Cleveland is notable for live music. However, Santa Cruz is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Cleveland. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Santa Cruz is not a live music destination.

Is Cleveland or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Cleveland is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Santa Cruz. 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.

Cleveland is not a beach destination.

Is Cleveland or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz has hiking trails worth exploring. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cleveland or Santa Cruz?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Cleveland and Santa Cruz.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Cleveland. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Santa Cruz offers some nice shopping areas. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Cleveland or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Santa Cruz is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Cleveland or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Santa Cruz makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

Is Cleveland or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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

Cleveland is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There's little in the area that attracts the backpacker crowd.

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

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Cleveland and Santa Cruz.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Public transit is generally limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Cleveland or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an amazing town to visit for its walkability. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

For even more information, also check out Is Cleveland Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Cleveland?

How long in Cleveland or Santa Cruz?

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

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Cleveland. 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 Cleveland. 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the diverse city of Cleveland, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cleveland, one day is sufficent for most.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Cruz. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Cruz has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Cleveland or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Cleveland, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the scenic destination of Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Cleveland or Santa Cruz?

Cleveland, 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back town of Santa Cruz. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cleveland or Santa Cruz?

Cleveland 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.

Santa Cruz is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Cleveland or Santa Cruz?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cleveland as well as Santa Cruz. Many visitors come to Cleveland in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Cleveland is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Cleveland averages around 75°F (24°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Cleveland receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cleveland usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Cleveland gets 4 inches (101 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cleveland or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz and Cleveland are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cleveland for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Cleveland is cooler than Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cleveland in October average around 56°F (13°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In October, Cleveland usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Cleveland gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cleveland or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Cleveland during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

The weather in Cleveland can be very cold. In January, Cleveland is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Cleveland average around 28°F (-2°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Cleveland usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Cleveland gets 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cleveland or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cleveland and Santa Cruz. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches.

Cleveland is cooler than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Cleveland averages around 51°F (10°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Cleveland usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Cleveland gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Cleveland