A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Destin vs. Santa Cruz for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Destin 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 Destin and Santa Cruz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Destin

Destin is a peaceful, family-friendly, and beautiful beach town. Destin is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping. See Destin travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a coastal, scenic, and laid back town. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Destin and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Destin or Santa Cruz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Cruz. Although Destin and Santa Cruz are both popular with visitors, Santa Cruz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Cruz is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and hiking, while Destin is known for its resorts and impressive beauty. Destin is popular for its powdery sand and turquoise water, its kid-friendly environment, and its local waterfront seafood restaurants. Santa Cruz is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also home to Santa Cruz Wharf.

How is Destin different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Santa Cruz is very good for its sights and museums. However, Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Santa Cruz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Destin and Santa Cruz.

Destin offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The area has great seafood including crab chowder, seafood gumbo, and fried fish. You can find wonderful local restaurants that have waterfront views and menus that feature freshly caught seafood. Many restaurants also have kid-friendly menus. During peak season, reservations are recommended.

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 Destin or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is notable for nightlife. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for nightlife and partying.

Santa Cruz has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Destin doesn't offer many options. The region is more popular as a family-friendly beach destination than it is for it's nightlife. Head to the Harbor area for the most lively nightlife.

Is Destin or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Destin is notable for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Destin is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Popular options include the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, as well as Hilton Sandestin Beach, Golf Resort & Spa. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of condos that include a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most of these complexes also have pools, hot tubs, and even kids clubs.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Destin or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Destin and Santa Cruz are great choices for a beach vacation.

Destin is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. This area is famous for its powdery white sand, beautiful blue waters, and calm waves. The beaches are large enough that they never get incredibly crowded, but you will find the largest crowds during the summer months. These beaches are particularly popular with families and seniors.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Santa Cruz. 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.

Is Destin or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Destin 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.

Destin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Destin or Santa Cruz?

Both Destin and Santa Cruz are good shopping destinations.

Destin is a great destination for shopping. In the shopping centers around town you'll find a number of unique boutique shops that are fun to explore. They have boutique-style beach clothes, local art, and any beach supplies that you may have forgotten.

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

Is Destin or Santa Cruz More Beautiful?

Destin is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Destin is a gorgeous place to visit. With its powdery sand and the blue water of the Gulf of Mexico, this is a beautiful beach destination.

Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Destin or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

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

Destin is a very family-friendly place to visit. The area has beautiful sandy beaches, calm waters, and plenty of activities for kids like Big Kahuna's Water Park. This is one of the more kid-friendly areas in Florida and many families return year after year with their kids. There are also many condos available for rent and kids can have their own room, kitchens are available for meal preparation, and there are washers and dryers to clean clothes. Many of these condo complexes also have kid-friendly pools

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Cruz is very family-friendly. 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 Destin or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is notable for romance. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Destin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For a relaxing beach vacation, this is a nice option for couples. A lot of the accommodation is in the form of condos, so it may not have the romantic resort vibe you're going for though. There are many great seafood restaurants and quiet beaches that have beautiful sunsets.

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

Santa Cruz is very good for backpackers. However, Destin is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Destin is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Destin 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, Destin is a mediocre beach town 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 Destin. There is almost no public transit so a car is essential. Some condo complexes do over golf carts to get around the grounds.

Is Destin or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is terrific for its walkability. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for its high level of walkability.

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

Destin is not a very walkable beach town. The area is very spread out and not walkable so you'll need a car to access restaurants and most forms of entertainment.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Destin?

How long in Destin or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Destin or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Destin than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Destin, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

With shopping and food around the beautiful beach town of Destin, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Destin or Santa Cruz?

With food and shopping around the destination of Destin, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

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 Destin or Santa Cruz?

Destin, a popular beach town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this beach town. 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 Destin or Santa Cruz?

Destin is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this beach town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Destin and Santa Cruz, we can see that Destin 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 Destin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Destin 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 Destin Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Destin or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Destin. When comparing the sizes of Destin 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 Destin 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 Destin or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Destin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Destin for the beaches 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.

Destin is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite rainy in Destin. In July, Destin usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Destin gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Destin or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz and Destin during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Destin because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In the autumn, Destin is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Destin in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Destin. Destin usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Destin gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Destin or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

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

In January, Destin is generally around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Destin average around 50°F (10°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Destin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Destin usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Destin gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Destin or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Destin as well as Santa Cruz. Many travelers come to Destin for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the spring for the beaches.

Destin is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Destin usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Destin gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Destin