A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gatlinburg vs. Santa Barbara for Nightlife, Hiking, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara?

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 Gatlinburg and Santa Barbara can help you decide which place is right for you.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a wild, flashy, and high energy city. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Gatlinburg travel costs.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a affluent, scenic, and stunning coastal town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Many visitors also come to Santa Barbara because of it's amazing beauty. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

Gatlinburg and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara than Gatlinburg, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Barbara is better known for its museums and attractions, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Gatlinburg is more popular for its skiing and nightlife. Gatlinburg is more touristy than Santa Barbara and is popular for its countless entertainment venues as well as its easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Santa Barbara is well known for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. Also, Santa Barbara is famous for The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

How is Gatlinburg different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is a popular place for snow skiing. However, Santa Barbara is not a skiing destination.

Head to Gatlinburg for some great skiing and other winter activities. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski area in Tennessee. The winter activities open after Thanksgiving and include snow skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tubing.

Santa Barbara is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is great for its historical sights. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Santa Barbara specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

Gatlinburg offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums range from gaudy to quirky. Check out the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Titanic Museum. There's also the Gatlinburg Space Needle and the Gatlinburg SkyBridge.

Is the Food Better in Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Barbara is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Gatlinburg is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Santa Barbara. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Gatlinburg. Staying true to form, restaurants in Gatlinburg cater to the tourist scene and serve up burgers, pizza, pancakes, and other classic favorites.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.

Gatlinburg is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Live music, theatrical shows, as well as bars and clubs that stay open late into the night give this town a huge party atmosphere. During the peak season the town is packed with people looking to have a good time and you'll find tons of things to do by simply walking down the main drag.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Santa Barbara. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Luxury resorts are fairly comparable in Gatlinburg and Santa Barbara.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Gatlinburg. There are plenty of resorts and vacation clubs near town. Many have pools, waterslides, or hot tubs.

Santa Barbara is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is adequate for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Gatlinburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Santa Barbara. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Gatlinburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is renowned for its beaches. However, Gatlinburg is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Santa Barbara is a very popular vacation destination. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

Gatlinburg is not a beach destination.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is very good for its historic old town. However, Gatlinburg does not have a historic old town.

Santa Barbara is a good destination for visiting its old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Gatlinburg does not have a historic old town.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is renowned for hiking. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit Santa Barbara specifically for its hiking. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

Gatlinburg is a popular spot for hiking. You'll need to head out of town into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but once you're there the hiking is impressive. There are waterfall hikes, trails to viewpoints, and loops that take you through wildflowers. Some of the most popular trails include Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Middle Prong Trail, and the Gatlinburg Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is renowned for shopping. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Santa Barbara. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Gatlinburg offers some nice shopping areas. There are tourist traps and souvenir shops around town, but you can also head to the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community where you can meet local artists and learn about their work.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara More Beautiful?

Santa Barbara is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Gatlinburg is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Santa Barbara because of it's amazing beauty. The city is beautifully situated right by the ocean and offers stunning views and and an amazing setting. It is also filled with opulent houses and grand estates, giving it an air of grandeur.

Gatlinburg is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Santa Barbara is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination.

Santa Barbara is a very family-friendly destination. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination. Ober Gatlinburg is a combination ski resort and amusement park that is a highlight for many families. During the warmer season, horseback riding and waterparks are popular. There's also a Ripley's Aquarium, minigolf, and Gatlin's Fun Center. Nearby you'll find Dollywood and Pigeon Forge.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is renowned for romance. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Santa Barbara has plenty to offer. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Gatlinburg is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you're looking for a flashy and ostentatious experience, then there are all the typical activities around town - Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Gatlinburg Space Needle, or Ober Gatlinburg. For a bit more nature, you can head out of town and enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also breweries and wineries in the area, as well as a range of resorts.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not popular with students.

Santa Barbara is very popular with students. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Gatlinburg is not popular with students.

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

Gatlinburg and Santa Barbara both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Gatlinburg offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free trolley service that offers a convenient way to get around town.

Santa Barbara has a few public transit options. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Gatlinburg and Santa Barbara are great when it comes to walkability.

Gatlinburg is very walkable. The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and most of the attractions in town can be reached on foot. If you want to leave town, a car is a must, but in town traffic and parking can be frustrating, so walk when you can.

Santa Barbara is a very walkable city. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Gatlinburg Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Gatlinburg?

How long in Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Gatlinburg and Santa Barbara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Gatlinburg than in Santa Barbara. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Gatlinburg, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Gatlinburg. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santa Barbara that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Gatlinburg 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 Barbara.

One day in Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the wild destination of Gatlinburg. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

With museums and nightlife around the opulent coastal town of Santa Barbara, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gatlinburg. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the nightlife, 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Santa Barbara, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

Five days in Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the wild destination of Gatlinburg. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city 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.

Santa Barbara, a popular coastal town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Gatlinburg. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Santa Barbara is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg and Santa Barbara, 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 Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara?

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 Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

Both Santa Barbara and Gatlinburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the hiking during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Gatlinburg is generally a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 81°F (27°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gatlinburg and Santa Barbara. The autumn months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

Gatlinburg is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Gatlinburg gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Gatlinburg as well as Santa Barbara. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Gatlinburg this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Gatlinburg in the winter. In the winter, Gatlinburg is much colder than Santa Barbara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gatlinburg in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 52°F (11°C).

Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the winter. Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in January than Santa Barbara. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

Both Santa Barbara and Gatlinburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Gatlinburg is generally a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 62°F (17°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In April, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Gatlinburg gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Gatlinburg