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

Should you visit Memphis or Santa Cruz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Memphis or Santa Cruz, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Memphis

Memphis is a soulful, creative, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Memphis 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.

Memphis and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Memphis or Santa Cruz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Memphis than Santa Cruz. Memphis is bigger than Santa Cruz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Memphis is better known for its food, music, and big city activities, while Santa Cruz is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and shopping. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Memphis and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Memphis is well known for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. Also, Memphis is famous for Elvis Presley's Graceland.

How is Memphis different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Memphis. Many attractions in town are related to the city's history in music. There is the famed Graceland as well as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city also has several art museums that are worth checking out.

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 Memphis or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Memphis 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, Memphis makes for a great culinary experience. The town has grown into a foodie destination with excellent barbecue and ribs. There are many award winning barbecue joints, but you'll also find casual bars that serve nachos, pizza, and other quick bites.

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 Memphis or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find very good options in both Memphis and Santa Cruz.

The nightlife in Memphis has something for everybody. Music is at the heart of the nightlife scene. Head to Beale Street in Memphis's downtown for the most active nightlife that usually stays open the latest. You'll also find a lot of bars and clubs in Midtown around Overton Square.

Santa Cruz offers plenty to do in the evening. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Is Memphis or Santa Cruz Better for Music?

Memphis is very popular for live music. However, Santa Cruz is not a live music destination.

Memphis is a world class music destination. There are plenty of live music venues in the downtown area that you can explore. Several of the most famous include B.B. King's Blues Club, Handy Park Pavilion, and Blues City Cafe. The city is known for its influential role in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. There are also many music related museums and attractions in town like Graceland, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Santa Cruz is not a live music destination.

Is Memphis or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a great town for the beach. However, Memphis is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Santa Cruz. 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.

Memphis is not a beach destination.

Is Memphis or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Memphis is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz has hiking trails worth exploring. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Memphis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Memphis or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Memphis is not known 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.

Memphis is a good destination for shopping. The city has plenty of malls and chain stores where you can grab anything you might need.

Is Memphis or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Santa Cruz. 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.

Memphis is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has some great activities for kids including a zoo, several museums, petting farms, and a botanical garden.

Is Memphis or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is a great town for couples. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Santa Cruz is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Memphis is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy good music and southern food will enjoy a weekend here. There are many music related landmarks including Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Live music is very popular as well.

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

For backpackers, both Memphis and Santa Cruz are notable places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Memphis. There are a couple of hostels and plenty of live music that make this a popular stop off for young travelers.

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

Is Memphis or Santa Cruz Better for Students?

Memphis is a popular place for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Memphis is a good city to visit for students. The live music scene and great food options make this is a fun town for students.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

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

Memphis and Santa Cruz both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Memphis. There is a trolley and bus system that the city operates, but a car is really helpful for getting around.

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

Is Memphis or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

Memphis is somewhat walkable. Most of the touristy parts of town are walkable, but if you want to explore further out you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Memphis?

How long in Memphis or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Memphis or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Memphis than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Memphis, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Memphis. 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 Memphis. 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 Memphis 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 Memphis or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the creative city of Memphis, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Santa Cruz, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Memphis or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Memphis, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Santa Cruz, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Santa Cruz has to offer.

Five days in Memphis or Santa Cruz?

Memphis, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Santa Cruz 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 Memphis or Santa Cruz?

Memphis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Cruz. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Cruz. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Memphis or Santa Cruz?

Memphis has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Memphis during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Memphis in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Memphis is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Memphis in July average around 83°F (29°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Memphis usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Memphis gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Memphis and Santa Cruz. Most visitors come to Memphis for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Memphis is generally around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Memphis average around 64°F (18°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Memphis usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Memphis gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Memphis or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Memphis as well as Santa Cruz. The winter months attract visitors to Memphis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

The weather in Memphis can be very cold. Memphis is much colder than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Memphis usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Memphis gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Memphis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Memphis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches.

In the spring, Memphis is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Memphis in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It's quite rainy in Memphis. In April, Memphis usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Memphis gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Memphis