A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Monterey vs. Hope for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Monterey or Hope?

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 Monterey and Hope. 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.

Monterey

Monterey is a laid back, relaxing, and nature-oriented city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Monterey travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a local, small, and friendly town. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Monterey and Hope: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Monterey or Hope?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Monterey than Hope, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Monterey is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Hope is more popular for its hiking. Monterey is more touristy than Hope and is known for its rugged coastline, diverse marine life, and excellent seafood. Also, Monterey is famous for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Hope is well known for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo."

How is Monterey different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Monterey or Hope?

Monterey is a great city for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Monterey specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.

Is the Food Better in Monterey or Hope? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Monterey is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Monterey. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Monterey or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Monterey is a great city for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

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 Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Monterey or Hope Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monterey is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Hope is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving 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.

Hope is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Monterey or Hope Better for Beaches?

Monterey is very good for its beaches. However, Hope is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Monterey to enjoy the beach. 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.

Hope is not a beach destination.

Is Monterey or Hope Better for Hiking?

Hope is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Monterey is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Hope. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Monterey is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Monterey or Hope?

Monterey is a great city for shopping. However, Hope is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Monterey. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Monterey or Hope Better for Families?

Monterey is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Hope is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Monterey is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Hope is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

Is Monterey or Hope Better for Couples?

Monterey and Hope both high quality destinations for a couple.

Monterey makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Hope frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

Is Monterey or Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hope is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Monterey is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Hope. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

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

Is Monterey or Hope Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Monterey is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Hope is not known for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Monterey or Hope a more walkable city?

Monterey is a great city for its walkability. However, Hope is not known for its high level of walkability.

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

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

For even more information, also check out Is Monterey Worth Visiting? and Is Hope Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hope or Monterey?

How long in Monterey or Hope?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Monterey and Hope. In our opinion, Monterey has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Monterey than Hope. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Monterey, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hope.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Monterey than Hope 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 Monterey or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Monterey. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The town of Hope offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Monterey or Hope?

Monterey is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hope is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hope, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Monterey or Hope?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the relaxing destination of Monterey. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hope 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.

A week in Monterey or Hope?

The nature-oriented city of Monterey offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Hope is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Monterey or Hope?

Monterey has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Monterey and Hope, 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 Monterey or Hope?

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 Monterey or Hope in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Monterey and Hope. Many travelers come to Monterey for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hope in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Monterey is around the same temperature as Hope. Typically, the summer temperatures in Monterey in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Hope averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In July, Monterey usually receives less rain than Hope. Monterey gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Monterey or Hope in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Monterey as well as Hope. Many visitors come to Monterey in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Hope for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Monterey is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Monterey average around 62°F (17°C), and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Monterey usually gets less rain in October than Hope. Monterey gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Monterey or Hope in the Winter?

Both Hope and Monterey are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Monterey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Hope because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Hope can be very cold. Monterey is much warmer than Hope in the winter. The daily temperature in Monterey averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. In January, Monterey usually receives less rain than Hope. Monterey gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Monterey or Hope in the Spring?

Both Hope and Monterey during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Monterey because of the beaches.

In the spring, Monterey is a little warmer than Hope. Typically, the spring temperatures in Monterey in April average around 56°F (13°C), and Hope averages at about 9°C (49°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Monterey usually gets less rain in April than Hope. Monterey gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hope and Monterey