A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Milwaukee vs. Santa Barbara for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Milwaukee or Santa Barbara?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Milwaukee and Santa Barbara 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.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a undiscovered, friendly, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Milwaukee travel costs.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a opulent, pristine, and affluent coastal town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Santa Barbara is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

Milwaukee and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Milwaukee or Santa Barbara?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Barbara than Milwaukee. While Milwaukee is larger than Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is more touristy than Milwaukee and is popular for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also home to The Old Mission Santa Barbara. Milwaukee is popular for its many breweries and its baseball culture.

How is Milwaukee different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Milwaukee or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Santa Barbara. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Milwaukee. There are several unique museums like the Harley-Davidson Museum, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Museum. There's also the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Grohmann Museum as well as outdoor sculpture parks and other cultural and historic museums.

Is the Food Better in Milwaukee or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Barbara is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Santa Barbara has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

Milwaukee may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The Midwest is known for its artery clogging comfort foods, and Milwaukee is no exception. Cheese curds, fried fish, fruit dumplings, and frozen custard are all popular.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Both Milwaukee and Santa Barbara have good vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Milwaukee. You'll find a decent number of breweries around town. There are also wine bars, nightclubs, and live music venues that are worth checking out.

Santa Barbara has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Milwaukee is not a resort destination.

In Santa Barbara, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

Milwaukee is not a resort destination.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Milwaukee is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Santa Barbara. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Milwaukee is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is terrific for the beach. However, Milwaukee is not a beach destination.

Santa Barbara is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

Milwaukee is not a beach destination.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a coastal town with good options for its old town. However, Milwaukee does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Santa Barbara. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Milwaukee does not have a historic old town.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Milwaukee is not a hiking destination.

Around Santa Barbara visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

Milwaukee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Milwaukee or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Santa Barbara draws large crowds to its stores. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Many visitors go to Milwaukee to go shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers and shopping malls around town, but if you want some more local vendors, check out the areas around the Historic Third Ward and The Village in Wauwatosa.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Barbara More Beautiful?

Santa Barbara is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Milwaukee is not a destination known for its beauty.

Santa Barbara is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The city is beautifully situated right by the ocean and offers stunning views and and an amazing setting. It is also filled with opulent houses and grand estates, giving it an air of grandeur.

Milwaukee is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Santa Barbara is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Barbara is very family-friendly. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Milwaukee. Kids will enjoy a visit to Discovery World, which is a science center with hands-on exhibits. There's also the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Younger kids will also enjoy a stop at Betty Brinn Children's Museum.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is terrific for its romantic activities. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for couples.

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Milwaukee is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Take a walk or visit a local restaurant. There are also museums and performances that make for a nice outing.

Is Milwaukee or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Santa Barbara. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Milwaukee is popular with students. It's home to a number of colleges and universities, so there is a bit of a college town vibe.

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

Santa Barbara is a coastal town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its public transit.

Santa Barbara has some public transit options. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

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

Is Milwaukee or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Santa Barbara is a very walkable coastal town. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

Milwaukee is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are relatively compact and walkable. The most walkable neighborhoods are East Side, Riverwest, Brewers Hill, Downtown, Avenues West/Marquette, Third Ward, Walker's Point, and Bay View.

For even more information, also check out Is Milwaukee Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Milwaukee?

How long in Milwaukee or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Milwaukee and Santa Barbara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santa Barbara than in Milwaukee. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Milwaukee, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Milwaukee 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 Barbara.

One day in Milwaukee or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the undiscovered destination of Milwaukee. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal town of Santa Barbara. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Milwaukee or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milwaukee. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the wealthy destination of Santa Barbara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Milwaukee or Santa Barbara?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Milwaukee. This city 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the affluent coastal town of Santa Barbara. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Milwaukee or Santa Barbara?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Milwaukee. 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.

Santa Barbara is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

When comparing the travel costs between Milwaukee and Santa Barbara, we can see that Milwaukee is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Milwaukee or Santa Barbara?

Milwaukee has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Milwaukee and Santa Barbara, 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 Milwaukee or Santa Barbara?

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 Milwaukee or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Milwaukee as well as Santa Barbara. Many travelers come to Milwaukee for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Milwaukee is a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Milwaukee in July average around 74°F (23°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 65°F (19°C).

Milwaukee usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Milwaukee gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

Both Santa Barbara and Milwaukee are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Milwaukee in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Milwaukee is generally cooler than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Milwaukee average around 53°F (12°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Milwaukee usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Milwaukee gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

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

Milwaukee can be very cold during winter. Milwaukee is much colder than Santa Barbara in the winter. The daily temperature in Milwaukee averages around 21°F (-6°C) in January, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Milwaukee usually gets less rain in January than Santa Barbara. Milwaukee gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Milwaukee and Santa Barbara. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

In the spring, Milwaukee is much colder than Santa Barbara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Milwaukee in April average around 47°F (8°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In April, Milwaukee usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Milwaukee gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Milwaukee