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

Should you visit Mystic or Santa Barbara?

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 Mystic and Santa Barbara. 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.

Mystic

Mystic is a laid back, charming, and quaint town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Mystic travel costs.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a affluent, scenic, and stunning coastal town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Santa Barbara is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

Mystic and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mystic or Santa Barbara?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara than Mystic, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mystic is well known for its New England charm and local character. Santa Barbara is well known for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. Also, Santa Barbara is famous for The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

How is Mystic different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Mystic or Santa Barbara.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Mystic. There's a decent selection of museums around town with some of the favorites being the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Mystic Museum of Art, the Denison Homestead Museum, and the Old Lighthouse Museum, The Mystic Aquarium is also a popular destination.

Santa Barbara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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

Santa Barbara is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Santa Barbara. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Mystic. As a coastal town, you'll find no shortage of seafood at many restaurants. Popular dishes include oysters, shrimp, or fish. There are also many casual restaurants that serve comfort food for classic American favorites like mac and cheese, pasta, or burgers.

Is Mystic or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Both Mystic and Santa Barbara have notable vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Mystic. Head downtown for the most interesting bars and breweries. You can sip wine or enjoy a cocktail at a laid back pub with friends or family.

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 Mystic or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

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

There are plenty of resorts in Santa Barbara to choose from. 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.

Mystic is not a resort destination.

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

Santa Barbara is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Mystic 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.

Mystic is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mystic or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its beaches. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Santa Barbara offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Mystic is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are accessible from town and offer a laid back setting that's not overly developed. Families will like Ocean Beach Park but Williams Beach Park is one of the easiest beaches to access. If you're willing to drive a bit out of town, you should check out Misquamicut State Beach.

Is Mystic or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Santa Barbara is a good destination for visiting its old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Is Mystic or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its hiking trails. However, Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Santa Barbara is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mystic or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for shopping. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Santa Barbara. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Mystic is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Is Mystic or Santa Barbara More Beautiful?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Mystic 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.

Mystic is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Mystic or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Both Mystic and Santa Barbara are superb family-friendly destinations.

Mystic is a very family-friendly destination. Animal lovers will enjoy wandering around the many trails at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center or visiting the famous Mystic Aquarium. You can also visit the shops around Olde Mistick Village or dine at one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

Santa Barbara is a very kid-friendly town. 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.

Is Mystic or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for romance. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Santa Barbara is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Mystic makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Check out Mystic Seaport or drive down the coastline and visit the lighthouses. You'll also find breweries around town as well as many fun or romantic restaurants.

Is Mystic or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Mystic is not popular with students.

Many students visit Santa Barbara. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Mystic is not popular with students.

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

Santa Barbara is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Mystic 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 limited or non-existant in Mystic. There is a bus but it has limited stops and only runs on weekdays.

Is Mystic or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

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

Mystic is generally not very walkable. While parts of town are very walkable, you'll need a car if you want to see the sights that are a bit further away.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Mystic?

How long in Mystic or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Mystic and Santa Barbara. In our opinion, Santa Barbara has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santa Barbara than Mystic. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Mystic. 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 Mystic. 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 Mystic 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 Mystic or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Mystic. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Santa Barbara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Mystic or Santa Barbara?

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

Santa Barbara is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Mystic or Santa Barbara?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Barbara. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Mystic or Santa Barbara?

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Mystic. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the stunning destination of Santa Barbara. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Mystic and Santa Barbara, we can see that Mystic is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Barbara 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 Mystic would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mystic than you might in Santa Barbara.

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

Which is Bigger, Mystic or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Mystic 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 Mystic 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 Mystic or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mystic as well as Santa Barbara. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mystic this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Mystic is generally a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 73°F (23°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

Mystic usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Mystic gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mystic or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

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

Mystic is cooler than Santa Barbara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Mystic usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Mystic gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mystic or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

Both Santa Barbara and Mystic during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mystic in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mystic can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Mystic is much colder than Santa Barbara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mystic in January average around 28°F (-2°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 52°F (11°C).

Mystic usually gets more rain in January than Santa Barbara. Mystic gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mystic or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mystic and Santa Barbara. Most visitors come to Mystic for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Mystic is generally much colder than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 48°F (9°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In April, Mystic usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Mystic gets 3.7 inches (94 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 Mystic