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

Should you visit Dallas or Santa Monica?

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

Dallas

Dallas is a upscale, chic, and active city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Dallas travel costs.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a active, lively, and funfilled town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Dallas and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Santa Monica?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santa Monica than Dallas. While Dallas is larger than Santa Monica, Santa Monica has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santa Monica is better known for its beaches, while Dallas is more popular for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Santa Monica is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier. Dallas is well known for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Dallas different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dallas is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Monica 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Monica. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History Museum.

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

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

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 Monica has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.

Is Dallas or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Both Dallas and Santa Monica 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 Monica has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.

Is Dallas or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is renowned for the beach. However, Dallas is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Santa Monica is a very popular vacation destination. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Santa Monica?

Both Dallas and Santa Monica are great shopping destinations.

Dallas is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santa Monica. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Dallas or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Monica is one of the most popular family destinations. Many families spend their days hanging out on the beaches, soaking up the sun, and even trying to surf. There's a boardwalk as well as bike paths that are perfect for people watching. You should also check out the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which is a thrilling amusement park.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dallas. 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.

Is Dallas or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Both Dallas and Santa Monica 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 Monica makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fun days on the beach, peaceful walks at sunset, and a wild nightlife scene make this the perfect couples destination for couples who enjoy activity and excitement.

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

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

Santa Monica is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of activities in the area, whether you're into surfing, partying, or sunbathing. There's also at least one hostel that's great for budget travelers and backpackers.

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 Monica Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Monica is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Santa Monica can get you around easily. The Metro E Line connects the city to downtown Los Angeles. There's also the Big Blue Bus as well the Santa Monica Circuit, which are small electric carts that offer free rides between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street.

Dallas has some 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.

Is Dallas or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica 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 Monica is a very walkable town. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

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 Monica Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dallas and Santa Monica. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dallas than in Santa Monica. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dallas, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

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

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

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

One day in Dallas or Santa Monica?

In Dallas, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this active city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Santa Monica. 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 Monica?

Dallas is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Santa Monica is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 Monica?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the upscale destination of Dallas. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Monica. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 Monica?

Dallas is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the energetic destination of Santa Monica. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dallas and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Monica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Monica 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 Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Santa Monica?

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

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 Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Dallas is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 88°F (31°C) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

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

Should I visit Dallas or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

Both Santa Monica 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 shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In the autumn, Dallas is around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dallas in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

Dallas usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Santa Monica in the Winter?

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

In January, Dallas is generally much colder than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 46°F (8°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In January, Dallas usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dallas or Santa Monica in the Spring?

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

Dallas is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Dallas usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Dallas