A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jekyll Island vs. Santa Cruz for Beaches, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Santa Cruz can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a natural, relaxing, and secluded island. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and museums. See Jekyll Island travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Jekyll Island and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz than Jekyll Island, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Cruz is better known for its food, nightlife, and shopping, while Jekyll Island is more popular for its resorts and hiking. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Jekyll Island and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is famous for Santa Cruz Wharf. Jekyll Island is well known for its quiet beaches and its Historic District.

How is Jekyll Island different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz?

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Santa Cruz and Jekyll Island.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Jekyll Island. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

Santa Cruz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Is the Food Better in Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Santa Cruz is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Santa Cruz has a large number of nightlife venues. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a moderate island for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Jekyll Island has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Both Jekyll Island and Santa Cruz are considered to be excellent beach destinations.

The beaches at Jekyll Island attract visitors from all over. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Many people visit Santa Cruz for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island is notable for the nearby hiking options. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Jekyll Island is a popular spot for hiking. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Many people include a hike when visiting Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Is the Shopping Better in Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Santa Cruz has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Both Jekyll Island and Santa Cruz are excellent to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Jekyll Island. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

Santa Cruz is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for couples. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Santa Cruz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Jekyll Island is a nice destination for couples. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Santa Cruz is a good town to visit for backpackers. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Jekyll Island is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a few campgrounds in the area as well as some nice beaches.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Cruz is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Santa Cruz. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable island. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Jekyll Island Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Jekyll Island than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Jekyll Island, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Jekyll 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 Santa Cruz.

One day in Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz?

With museums around the relaxing island of Jekyll Island, 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Santa Cruz. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz?

With museums around the destination of Jekyll Island, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this island.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Cruz. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Five days in Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz?

Jekyll Island, a popular island, 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic destination of Santa Cruz. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This town 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.

A week in Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz?

Jekyll Island 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz?

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 Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jekyll Island as well as Santa Cruz. Many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jekyll Island in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Jekyll Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jekyll Island usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Jekyll Island gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz and Jekyll Island are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Jekyll Island is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Jekyll Island average around 70°F (21°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Jekyll Island usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Jekyll Island gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Jekyll Island during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Jekyll Island usually gets more rain in January than Santa Cruz. Jekyll Island gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jekyll Island and Santa Cruz. The spring months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the beaches. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In the spring, Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jekyll Island in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Jekyll Island usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Jekyll Island gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Jekyll Island