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

Should you visit Galveston 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 Galveston and Santa Monica can help you decide which place is right for you.

Galveston

Galveston is a charming, coastal, and historic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Galveston travel costs.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a energetic, active, and lively town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Galveston and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galveston or Santa Monica?

You'll generally find more things to do in Santa Monica than Galveston. Santa Monica is bigger than Galveston, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Santa Monica is better known for its food, beaches, and shopping, while Galveston is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and small town charm. Santa Monica is more touristy than Galveston and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier. Galveston is well known for its long history that is centered around the shipping industry and hurricanes.

How is Galveston different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Galveston 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.

Galveston offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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 Galveston or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Monica 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.

Santa Monica has a huge number of terrific 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.

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 Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Galveston and Santa Monica.

Many people head to Galveston for the nightlife scene. 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.

Santa Monica has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Galveston or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is an amazing town to visit for the beach. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the beach.

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.

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 Santa Monica Better for its Old Town?

Galveston is a popular place for its old town. However, Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Galveston to see the old town. 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.

Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galveston or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its shopping areas.

Santa Monica is well-known for its shopping. 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.

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 Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Galveston is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-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.

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.

Is Galveston or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Both Galveston and Santa Monica are great 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.

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.

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

Santa Monica is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Galveston is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Galveston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The beaches are great, but most backpackers don't think to visit Galveston.

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

Santa Monica is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Galveston is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit in Santa Monica can get you to some places 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.

Public transit is generally 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.

Is Galveston or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica 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.

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

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 Santa Monica Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Galveston?

How long in Galveston or Santa Monica?

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

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Galveston. 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 Galveston. 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 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 Santa Monica.

One day in Galveston or Santa Monica?

In Galveston, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this charming town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Monica. 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 Santa Monica has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Galveston or Santa Monica?

Galveston 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the funfilled destination of Santa Monica. 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 Santa Monica?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Galveston. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the funfilled town of Santa Monica. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Galveston or Santa Monica?

Galveston 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.

Santa Monica 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 comparing the travel costs between Galveston and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Galveston Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Galveston or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Galveston. When comparing the sizes of Galveston 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 Galveston or Santa Monica?

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 Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica and Galveston during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Galveston for the beaches, the small town charm, 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.

Galveston is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Galveston averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Galveston usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. Galveston gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galveston or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Galveston and Santa Monica. The autumn months attract visitors to Galveston because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In the autumn, Galveston is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Galveston in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

In October, Galveston usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Galveston gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Galveston or Santa Monica in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Galveston as well as Santa Monica. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galveston this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Galveston is generally cooler than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Galveston average around 52°F (11°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Galveston usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Galveston gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galveston or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica and Galveston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Galveston for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the spring for the beaches.

Galveston is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Galveston averages around 70°F (21°C) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, Galveston usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Galveston gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Galveston