A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Daytona Beach vs. Santa Cruz for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a fun, party-hard, and energetic beach city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and beaches. See Daytona Beach travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Daytona Beach and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Daytona Beach than Santa Cruz. Daytona Beach is bigger than Santa Cruz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Daytona Beach is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, and big city activities, while Santa Cruz is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, hiking, and shopping. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Santa Cruz and is known for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Also, Daytona Beach is famous for The Daytona International Speedway. Santa Cruz is well known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches.

How is Daytona Beach different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Cruz. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Santa Cruz area. 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.

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is very popular for nightlife. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Daytona Beach is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

Santa Cruz has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a popular place for live music. However, Santa Cruz is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Daytona Beach is active and vibrant. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Santa Cruz is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Daytona Beach is a moderate beach city for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Daytona Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for the beach. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach city to visit for its beaches.

Santa Cruz is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Many people head to Daytona Beach to enjoy the beach. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz is a good destination for hiking. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Santa Cruz to go shopping. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Daytona Beach is a good destination for shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Cruz is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for couples. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach city to visit for romance.

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

Daytona Beach is a nice destination for couples. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for backpackers. However, Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is very popular for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Daytona Beach. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

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

Santa Cruz is a moderate town for its public transit. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is quite limited in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

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

Daytona Beach is not a very walkable beach city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Santa Cruz than Daytona Beach because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

With live music and nightlife around the energetic beach city of Daytona Beach, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Santa Cruz. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz?

The destination of Daytona Beach offers nightlife and live music. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. Most people find that a weekend is more than enough time to see everything.

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

Five days in Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz?

Daytona Beach, a popular beach 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 coastal destination of Santa Cruz. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This town 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.

A week in Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz?

Daytona Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz?

Daytona Beach has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In the summer, Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Daytona Beach in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. In July, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz and Daytona Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Daytona Beach is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 74°F (23°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Santa Cruz. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 58°F (14°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In January, Daytona Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Cruz. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Santa Cruz. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Daytona Beach in April average around 69°F (21°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Daytona Beach