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

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Santa Monica?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Santa Monica? 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the live music, beaches, and nightlife. See Daytona Beach travel costs.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a active, lively, and funfilled town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Daytona Beach and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Monica than Daytona Beach, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Santa Monica is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, and shopping, while Daytona Beach is known for its nightlife, music, resorts, and big city activities. Daytona Beach is popular for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Santa Monica is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also home to the Santa Monica Pier.

How is Daytona Beach different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santa Monica 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 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.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Santa Monica is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

Dining out in Santa Monica is an experience not to be missed. 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.

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 Monica Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is an amazing beach city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Daytona Beach has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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 Monica has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Daytona Beach or Santa Monica Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Santa Monica 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 Monica is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Monica Better for Resorts?

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

Not known for its high-end resorts, Daytona Beach offers a few options. 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 Monica is not a resort destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach city to visit for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Santa Monica. 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.

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 the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

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 Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Santa Monica is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

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 Monica Better for Couples?

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

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 Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Monica. 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.

Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Santa Monica Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is an amazing beach city to visit for students. However, Santa Monica 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 Monica is not popular with students.

Is Daytona Beach 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. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for times when you don't have a car.

Santa Monica offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

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 Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

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

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 Monica Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Daytona Beach or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Daytona Beach and Santa Monica. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santa Monica than in Daytona Beach. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Daytona Beach. 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 Daytona Beach. 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 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 Monica.

One day in Daytona Beach or Santa Monica?

In Daytona Beach, many people enjoy the live music and nightlife that this lively beach 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 shopping and museums when visiting the funfilled destination of Santa Monica. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 Monica?

Daytona Beach is a fun place to experience. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the nightlife. A weekend 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. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 Monica?

You'll find live music and nightlife around the fun destination of Daytona Beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active destination of Santa Monica. 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 Monica?

Daytona Beach 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Santa Monica. 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 comparing the travel costs between Daytona Beach and Santa Monica, we can see that Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Daytona Beach. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach or Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica 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 and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In July, Daytona Beach is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 81°F (27°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. In July, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica for the shopping scene.

Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 74°F (23°C) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In the winter, Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Daytona Beach in January average around 58°F (14°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In January, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

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

In April, Daytona Beach is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 69°F (21°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 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 Daytona Beach