A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Kennebunkport vs. Santa Cruz for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz? 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.

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is a charming, quaint, and character-filled town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Kennebunkport is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums. See Kennebunkport travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a coastal, scenic, and laid back town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Kennebunkport and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Cruz. Although Kennebunkport and Santa Cruz are both popular with visitors, Santa Cruz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Cruz is more popular for its nightlife and beaches, while Kennebunkport is known for its food, resorts, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Kennebunkport is popular for its historic and charming atmosphere, its wonderful local seafood, and its stunning coastline. Santa Cruz is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also home to Santa Cruz Wharf.

How is Kennebunkport different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz.

Kennebunkport is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a handful of local museums around town like the Brick Store Museum, the First Families Kennebunkport Museum, and the Seashore Trolley Museum.

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

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

Kennebunkport is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kennebunkport makes for a great culinary experience. Fine dining, seafood restaurants, and local cafes all make this a wonderful town for foodies. The town's famous for its lobster, but you can also try the scallops, crab, or oysters.

Santa Cruz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Is Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is great for nightlife. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Santa Cruz for the nightlife scene. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kennebunkport. You can check out the happy hours that many of the bars in the waterfront area host regularly.

Is Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Kennebunkport is notable for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Kennebunkport is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Luxury resorts and classic inns provide traditional and local accommodation options for visitors.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is great for its beaches. However, Kennebunkport is not a beach destination.

Santa Cruz is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Kennebunkport is not a beach destination. It's lined with rocky and sandy coastlines that are perfect for finding critters at low tide or searching for seashells. Mother's Beach is popular with families and Gooch's Beach is a popular place for walking. Middle Beach is a great spot for climbing over rocks.

Is Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Kennebunkport and Santa Cruz both have good trails.

Kennebunkport is a good destination for hiking. There are waterfront walks and coastal trails. There are also trails that wander through forests or past marshland.

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 Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz?

Kennebunkport is notable for shopping. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Kennebunkport is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Dock's Square for the best local shops with a charming atmosphere.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz More Beautiful?

Kennebunkport is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Kennebunkport is a gorgeous place to visit. It's scenic coastline and dramatic lighthouses make this a beautiful area.

Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz.

Kennebunkport is a very family-friendly destination. You can explore the rocks around Mother's Beach or take the kids out on a lobster boat. There's also a lot of history around Dock's Square and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in town.

Santa Cruz is a very kid-friendly town. 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 Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kennebunkport and Santa Cruz make for a high quality place to visit.

Kennebunkport is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Beaches, romantic hotels, and charming local restaurants make this a perfect couple's destination.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Kennebunkport is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Kennebunkport is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find cabins and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

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

Kennebunkport and Santa Cruz both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kennebunkport. During the summer months there's a Shoreline Trolley that connects towns.

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

Is Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is very popular for its walkability. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its high level of walkability.

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

Kennebunkport is a somewhat walkable place. It's downtown is compact and particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Kennebunkport?

How long in Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz?

Kennebunkport might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz?

Even though Kennebunkport is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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 town.

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 Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz?

Kennebunkport, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 coastal 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 Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz?

Kennebunkport 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 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 Kennebunkport and Santa Cruz, we can see that Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kennebunkport. When comparing the sizes of Kennebunkport and Santa Cruz, 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 Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Kennebunkport during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Kennebunkport because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

Kennebunkport is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Kennebunkport averages around 69°F (20°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Kennebunkport usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Kennebunkport gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kennebunkport and Santa Cruz. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kennebunkport this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Kennebunkport is much colder than Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kennebunkport in October average around 49°F (9°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In October, Kennebunkport usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Kennebunkport gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kennebunkport as well as Santa Cruz. Many travelers come to Kennebunkport for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kennebunkport. In January, Kennebunkport is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Kennebunkport average around 21°F (-6°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Kennebunkport usually gets more rain in January than Santa Cruz. Kennebunkport gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kennebunkport or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Kennebunkport are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kennebunkport in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

Kennebunkport is much colder than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Kennebunkport averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Kennebunkport usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Kennebunkport gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Kennebunkport