A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hershey vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Families, Food, Couples, and Attractions

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

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

Should I visit Hershey or Carmel-by-the-Sea? 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.

Hershey

Hershey is a playful, lighthearted, and fun-filled town. Other popular activities here include shopping and museums. See Hershey travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

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

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Hershey, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Carmel-by-the-Sea is better known for its food, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Hershey is more popular for its resorts. Hershey is more touristy than Carmel-by-the-Sea and is known for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for Pebble Beach Golf Course.

How is Hershey 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 Hershey. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Both Hershey and Carmel-by-the-Sea have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Hershey is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car museum).

Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Hershey or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hershey. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.

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

It's hard to distinguish whether Hershey or Carmel-by-the-Sea has a better nightlife scene.

Hershey is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.

Carmel-by-the-Sea doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Hershey or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Hershey is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

In Hershey, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its beaches. However, Hershey is not a beach destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Hershey is not a beach destination.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for shopping. Also, Hershey is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Hershey. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.

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

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Hershey is not a destination known for its beauty.

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

Hershey is renowned for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Hershey is an extremely popular town to visit for families. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.

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 Hershey or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Hershey and Carmel-by-the-Sea make for a excellent place to visit.

Couples visit Hershey frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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 Hershey or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Hershey and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Public transit is generally limited in Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.

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

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its walkability. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

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

Hershey is generally not a very walkable town. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.

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

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

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

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hershey 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 Hershey. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hershey, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Hershey. 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 Hershey 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 Hershey or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Hershey, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town with plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

With museums and shopping around the fun-filled town of Hershey, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer.

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun-filled destination of Hershey. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

Hershey is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Hershey has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Hershey 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 Hershey or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Hershey or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hershey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Hershey in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Hershey is generally a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Hershey average around 77°F (25°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Hershey usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hershey gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Hershey as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Hershey for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Hershey is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hershey averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Hershey usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hershey gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hershey are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Hershey because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

The weather in Hershey can be very cold. In the winter, Hershey is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hershey in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In January, Hershey usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hershey gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hershey during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Hershey is generally cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Hershey average around 53°F (12°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Hershey usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hershey gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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