A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Orleans vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between New Orleans and Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a vibrant, energetic, and fun-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, nightlife, and live music. See New Orleans travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

New Orleans and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors will usually find more to do in New Orleans than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. New Orleans is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its museums and attractions, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Carmel-by-the-Sea and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Also, New Orleans is famous for The French Quarter. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and New Orleans. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a town with good options for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New Orleans is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in New Orleans have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

Is New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

New Orleans is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Music?

New Orleans is renowned for its music scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a live music destination.

In New Orleans you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Carmel-by-the-Sea attract visitors from all over. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

New Orleans is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, New Orleans is not a destination known for its beauty.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

New Orleans is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Neither New Orleans nor Carmel-by-the-Sea are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

New Orleans is not always a place people visit with their families. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Carmel-by-the-Sea doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

New Orleans is a city with good options for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

New Orleans is a good city to visit for students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Is New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both New Orleans and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Public transit is mostly limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Public transit is generally limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is very walkable. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

For even more information, also check out Is New Orleans Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Orleans and Carmel-by-the-Sea. In our opinion, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than New Orleans. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for New Orleans, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than New Orleans. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New Orleans than Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 New Orleans.

One day in New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of New Orleans, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town with plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With live music and food around the festive city of New Orleans, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the festive destination of New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Because Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

New Orleans is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is New Orleans Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The summer months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In July, New Orleans is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 82°F (28°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

New Orleans is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and New Orleans during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, New Orleans is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Orleans in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, New Orleans is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 68°F (20°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and New Orleans