A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Galveston vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Galveston and Carmel-by-the-Sea can help you decide which place is right for you.

Galveston

Galveston is a coastal, historic, and charming town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Galveston travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a picturesque, quaint, and charming town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. The beauty of Carmel-by-the-Sea is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, food, and beaches. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Galveston and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Galveston. Although Galveston and Carmel-by-the-Sea are both popular with visitors, Galveston has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Galveston is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and historical sights, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its food, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Galveston is popular for its long history that is centered around the shipping industry and hurricanes. It is also home to Pleasure Pier. Carmel-by-the-Sea is popular for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Galveston different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Galveston. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Galveston is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Galveston. With its long history and Victorian homes, there are a number of museums around town. A favorite mansion is the 1892 Bishop's Palace. There's also the Galveston Railroad Museum and the Galveston Arts Center.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a huge number of terrific restaurants. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Galveston area. There's a great mix of seafood and Texas favorites. Seafood-lovers will enjoy the oysters, crab cakes, and po boys while land-lovers will like the brisket, Tex Mex, and Texas chili.

Is Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Galveston is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Galveston offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a bit of a party town vibe in the evenings. Head to Pleasure Pier for rides and entertainment. The town also has taverns, lounges, and bars that you can check out.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for the beach. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the beach.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Galveston has a beach worth visiting. There are miles of beaches that spread out from town. Some of the best include Babe's Beach, Stewart Beach, and Crystal Beach. Because of the proximity to the Mississippi River, the water can be a bit murky, but the beaches are still fun.

Is Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for its Old Town?

Galveston is a town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Galveston offers a nice historic old town area. The East End Historic District is filled with historic mansions with beautiful porches. It's possible to take a tour or you could explore independently.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its shopping areas.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well-known for its shopping. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Many visitors go to Galveston to go shopping. There are plenty of places to pick up souvenirs like shell jewelry or t-shirts. There are also more eclectic shops as well as shopping centers and malls.

Is Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Galveston is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Carmel-by-the-Sea is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Galveston is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Galveston is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Galveston is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Head to Pier 21 where you'll find museums, harbor tours, and other kid-friendly activities. The city also offers a number of pirate-themed activities that kids enjoy as well as spooky ghost tours. For a bit of a thrill you can check out the rides at Galveston Pleasure Pier. And, of course, there are the beaches.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Both Galveston and Carmel-by-the-Sea are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Galveston is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The Historic District is the perfect place to enjoy a nice meal and soak up the charm. The area's beaches and parks also offer a bit of romance and there are plenty of outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, or swimming.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Is Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Galveston and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Galveston. While there are buses and trolley buses, a car is the best way to get around with the greatest flexibility and convenience.

Public transit is generally limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable town. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

Galveston is a somewhat walkable town. There are some walkable areas such as the Historic District.

For even more information, also check out Is Galveston Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Galveston?

How long in Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Galveston and Carmel-by-the-Sea. In our opinion, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Galveston. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Galveston. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Galveston 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One day in Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Galveston, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the charming town of Galveston, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Galveston. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Galveston is a popular choice for travelers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Galveston Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Galveston has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Galveston and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Galveston during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Galveston for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Galveston is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galveston in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Galveston usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Galveston gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Galveston and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Galveston in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Galveston is generally a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Galveston average around 71°F (22°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Galveston usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Galveston gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Galveston as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Galveston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Galveston is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter. The daily temperature in Galveston averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Galveston usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Galveston gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galveston or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Galveston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Galveston because of the beaches and the small town charm. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In the spring, Galveston is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galveston in April average around 70°F (21°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In April, Galveston usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Galveston gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Galveston