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

Should you visit Dallas or Santa Cruz?

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 Cruz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dallas

Dallas is a active, upscale, and chic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Dallas travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a scenic, laid back, and coastal town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Dallas and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Santa Cruz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dallas than Santa Cruz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dallas is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Santa Cruz attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Dallas is famous for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. It is also well known for the Sixth Floor Museum.

How is Dallas different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dallas 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.

Dallas offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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 Dallas or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dallas is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Dallas makes for a great culinary experience. 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 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.

Is Dallas or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Both Dallas and Santa Cruz are great when it comes to partying.

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.

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.

Is Dallas or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for the beach. However, Dallas is not a beach destination.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is Dallas or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Santa Cruz?

Dallas is notable for shopping. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Dallas is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

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

Is Dallas or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

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

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 Cruz. 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.

Is Dallas or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Both Dallas and Santa Cruz are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Dallas is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

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.

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

Santa Cruz is very good for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Santa Cruz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

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

Dallas is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Cruz is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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.

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

Is Dallas or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is renowned for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

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 Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dallas or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dallas than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dallas, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

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

One day in Dallas or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the active city of Dallas, 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Santa Cruz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dallas or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Dallas, 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.

Santa Cruz 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 Cruz?

Dallas, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Cruz. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Cruz?

Dallas 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Santa Cruz. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 comparing the travel costs between Dallas and Santa Cruz, we can see that Dallas 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 Dallas Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Santa Cruz?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Dallas 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 Dallas or Santa Cruz?

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 Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz 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 Cruz because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dallas is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 88°F (31°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In July, Dallas usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dallas or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz 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. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

Dallas is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Dallas usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Dallas is cooler than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dallas in January average around 46°F (8°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

In January, Dallas usually receives less rain than Santa Cruz. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dallas or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Santa Cruz. Many travelers come to Dallas for the activities around the city. Additionally, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Dallas is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 68°F (20°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Dallas usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Dallas