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

Should you visit Dallas 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 Dallas and Santa Barbara can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale 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 Dallas travel costs.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a scenic, stunning, and wealthy coastal town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. You'll find world class beauty in Santa Barbara as well. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

Dallas and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Santa Barbara?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santa Barbara than Dallas. While Dallas is larger than Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santa Barbara is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Dallas is known for its nightlife. Santa Barbara is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also home to The Old Mission Santa Barbara. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Dallas different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Dallas and Santa Barbara.

Many visitors head to Dallas specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Santa Barbara can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Dallas and Santa Barbara.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Dallas. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

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.

Is Dallas or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Dallas is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.

Dallas offers plenty to do in the evening. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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 Dallas or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Dallas 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.

Dallas is not a resort destination.

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

Santa Barbara is a moderate coastal town for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dallas is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option 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.

Dallas is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dallas or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is renowned for the beach. However, Dallas 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.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is Dallas or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

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

Many people head to Santa Barbara to see the old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Dallas does not have a historic old town.

Is Dallas or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Dallas 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.

Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Santa Barbara make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is Dallas or Santa Barbara More Beautiful?

Santa Barbara is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Dallas is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Santa Barbara as well. 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.

Dallas is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Dallas or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Dallas or Santa Barbara.

Dallas is a very kid-friendly city. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

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.

Is Dallas or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Dallas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Is Dallas or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is a well-known place for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.

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

Both Dallas and Santa Barbara offer good public transit options.

Dallas has a few public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

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

Is Dallas or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dallas and Santa Barbara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dallas than in Santa Barbara. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dallas, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the chic destination of Dallas. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Santa Barbara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dallas or Santa Barbara?

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

Santa Barbara is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Dallas or Santa Barbara?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active destination of Dallas. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Barbara. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Dallas or Santa Barbara?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Santa Barbara. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Santa Barbara?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Dallas 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 Dallas or Santa Barbara?

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 Dallas or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

Both Santa Barbara and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dallas is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dallas in July average around 88°F (31°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 65°F (19°C).

In July, Dallas usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dallas or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

Both Santa Barbara and Dallas during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Dallas because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, 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 October, Dallas is generally a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 69°F (21°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Dallas usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Santa Barbara. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dallas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dallas is cooler than Santa Barbara in the winter. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 46°F (8°C) in January, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Dallas usually receives less rain than Santa Barbara. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dallas or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Santa Barbara. Many travelers come to Dallas 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.

In the spring, Dallas is a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dallas in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 57°F (14°C).

Dallas usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Dallas