A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hilton Head Island vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Families, Food, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a resort-filled, family-friendly, and relaxing coastal town. Hilton Head Island offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, food, and beaches. See Hilton Head Island travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Hilton Head Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Hilton Head Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more sights and attractions for tourists. Carmel-by-the-Sea is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Hilton Head Island attracts visitors for its resorts. Hilton Head Island is famous for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails. Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also well known for Pebble Beach Golf Course.

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is very good for its museums and history. However, Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Hilton Head Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Hilton Head Island has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

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.

Is Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

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

In Hilton Head Island, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

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

Is Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea are superb choices for a beach vacation.

Hilton Head Island is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

Hilton Head Island is a great destination for shopping. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Is Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Hilton Head Island is a gorgeous place to visit. The island has many beautiful waterways that are best explored by boat or kayak. The beaches are also beautiful and striking.

Is Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

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

Hilton Head Island is an extremely popular coastal town to visit for families. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

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 Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place for couples. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Hilton Head Island is a nice destination for couples. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

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

Hilton Head Island is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

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

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Hilton Head Island?

How long in Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hilton Head Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilton Head Island than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilton Head Island, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Hilton Head Island. 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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With food and shopping around the destination of Hilton Head Island, 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 might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and food around the peaceful coastal town of Hilton Head Island, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place to visit. Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With food and shopping around the resort-filled destination of Hilton Head Island, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Most people come for the beaches. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

A week in Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Hilton Head Island is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

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 Hilton Head Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Hilton Head Island has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Hilton Head Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, 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 the autumn, Hilton Head Island is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hilton Head Island in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Hilton Head Island usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hilton Head Island during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Hilton Head Island is generally cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 48°F (9°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The spring months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

Hilton Head Island is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 67°F (19°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Hilton Head Island usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 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 Hilton Head Island