A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Monterey for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or Monterey?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Martha's Vineyard and Monterey. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Monterey

Monterey is a nature-oriented, laid back, and relaxing city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Monterey travel costs.

Martha's Vineyard and Monterey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Martha's Vineyard or Monterey?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Monterey. Although Martha's Vineyard and Monterey are popular destinations, Monterey has more sights and attractions for tourists. Monterey is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Martha's Vineyard is famous for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. Monterey is famous for its rugged coastline, diverse marine life, and excellent seafood. It is also well known for the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Monterey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Martha's Vineyard or Monterey?

Monterey is a great city for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Monterey. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a not-to-be-missed destination in town. You can also visit the Monterey State Historic Park or the Monterey Museum of Art.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Martha's Vineyard or Monterey? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Martha's Vineyard and Monterey can be difficult as they are each excellent in their own way.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Monterey makes for a great culinary experience. Seafood and local produce are what make the food special. There are many great restaurants to you can choose from that will let you enjoy the classic seafood dishes like clam chowder or oysters, as well as fresh artichokes and local wine.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Monterey Better for Nightlife?

Monterey is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Monterey has something for everybody. There's a buzzing atmosphere at night with bars, breweries, and casual eateries all coming to life. Some of the best venues are found at the Old Fisherman's Wharf and along Alvarado Street.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Monterey Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Monterey is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Martha's Vineyard for its luxury resorts. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Monterey is not a resort destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Monterey Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monterey is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Martha's Vineyard is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Monterey. Scuba diving offers an unforgettable experience. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary gives you the unique experience of seeing sea lions, otters, kelp forests, crabs, and more.

Martha's Vineyard is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Monterey Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is a very popular place for the beach. Also, Monterey is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

Many people visit Martha's Vineyard for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Monterey is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches highlight the laid by California vibe with sunbathers and beachgoers soaking up the atmosphere. There are both inlets and sandy beaches where you can see sea lions or explore the tidal pools.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Monterey Better for Hiking?

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Monterey is not a hiking destination.

Martha's Vineyard offers some nice hiking trails. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Monterey is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Martha's Vineyard or Monterey?

If you're looking to go shopping, Martha's Vineyard and Monterey both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Monterey is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find both local vendors and tourist shops around town. Cannery Row is a popular destination, as is Old Fisherman's Wharf and the Old Farmer's Market.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Monterey More Beautiful?

Martha's Vineyard is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Monterey is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.

Monterey is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Monterey Better for Families?

Monterey is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Monterey is very family-friendly. Monterey Bay Aquarium is a highlight for kids and adults alike. There's also the Monterey Zoo as well as lighthearted activities like a mirror maze. MY Museum is an interactive museum that's perfect for younger kids. There are also whale watching trips and nearby beaches.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Monterey Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for couples. Also, Monterey is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Martha's Vineyard is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Couples visit Monterey frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many romantic inns in town as well as quaint restaurants and fun activities. There are also spas, wine bars, and plenty of shopping for couples to enjoy as well.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Monterey Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Monterey is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Monterey. There's a hostel in town as well as fun activities that will appeal to backpackers.

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Monterey Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Martha's Vineyard and Monterey both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Public transit is generally limited in Monterey. There is a bus system through the area.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Monterey a more walkable city?

Monterey is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its walkability.

Monterey is a very walkable destination. If you stay near the town center, it's very walkable and easy to get around on foot.

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting? and Is Monterey Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Monterey or Martha's Vineyard?

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Monterey?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Martha's Vineyard and Monterey. In our opinion, Monterey has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Monterey than Martha's Vineyard. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Martha's Vineyard than Monterey. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Martha's Vineyard that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Monterey than Martha's Vineyard 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 Monterey.

One day in Martha's Vineyard or Monterey?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Monterey, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Monterey?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Martha's Vineyard, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With museums and nightlife around the laid back city of Monterey, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Martha's Vineyard or Monterey?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back destination of Monterey. 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.

A week in Martha's Vineyard or Monterey?

Martha's Vineyard is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

Monterey is a popular choice for travelers. This city 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Martha's Vineyard Expensive? and Is Monterey Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard or Monterey?

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 Martha's Vineyard or Monterey in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Martha's Vineyard and Monterey. The summer months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.

Martha's Vineyard is a little warmer than Monterey in the summer. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Monterey fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than Monterey. Martha's Vineyard gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Monterey in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Martha's Vineyard as well as Monterey. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Monterey for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Martha's Vineyard is cooler than Monterey. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Monterey averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in October than Monterey. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Monterey in the Winter?

Both Monterey and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Monterey in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Martha's Vineyard. In January, Martha's Vineyard is generally much colder than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Martha's Vineyard average around 28°F (-2°C), and Monterey fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than Monterey. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Monterey in the Spring?

Both Monterey and Martha's Vineyard during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Monterey for the beaches during these months.

Martha's Vineyard is cooler than Monterey in the spring. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Monterey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in April than Monterey. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Monterey and Martha's Vineyard