A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Pensacola vs. Santa Monica for Beaches, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Pensacola or Santa Monica?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pensacola and Santa Monica can help you decide which place is right for you.

Pensacola

Pensacola is a active, entertaining, and fun-filled beach town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Pensacola travel costs.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a active, lively, and funfilled town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Pensacola and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pensacola or Santa Monica?

You'll generally find more things to do in Santa Monica than Pensacola. Santa Monica is bigger than Pensacola, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Santa Monica is better known for its nightlife and shopping, while Pensacola is more popular for its resorts and hiking. Pensacola is well known for its white sand beaches and long running naval history. Santa Monica is well known for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier.

How is Pensacola different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pensacola or Santa Monica?

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Pensacola and Santa Monica.

Pensacola offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. On a rainy day there are some nice museums in the area. You can visit the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Historic Pensacola Village, the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, or Pensacola Children's Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Monica. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History Museum.

Is the Food Better in Pensacola or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Pensacola and Santa Monica both to be great destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Pensacola. You'll find no shortage of seafood options around town. Oysters, shrimp, and fresh fish are popular on the menus. You'll also find lots of Cajun flavors as well as casual sandwiches and pizza.

Santa Monica has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.

Is Pensacola or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Pensacola is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its evening party scene.

Santa Monica has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Pensacola. There's a casual nightlife scene with pubs, live music, and a mellow but fun setting.

Is Pensacola or Santa Monica Better for Resorts?

Pensacola is notable for its resorts. However, Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Pensacola is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Family-friendly resorts with pools, waterslides, and lazy rivers are common. You'll also find beachfront hotels and more affordable options set back from the beach.

Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Is Pensacola or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Pensacola and Santa Monica are world-class choices for a beach vacation.

With world-famous beaches, Pensacola is a very popular vacation destination. White sand beaches with blue water and mild temperatures make this a wonderful beach destination. Some of the best beaches include Casino Beach, Perdido Key Beach, and Opal Beach.

The beaches in Santa Monica are among the best in the world. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.

Is Pensacola or Santa Monica Better for Hiking?

Pensacola is a moderate beach town for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Pensacola. Step away from the beachfront development and you'll find some nice nature parks with quiet walking trails.

Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pensacola or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Pensacola is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its shopping areas.

Santa Monica is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.

Pensacola has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are sprawling shopping malls and shopping centers as well as local boutiques and quintessential souvenir shops.

Is Pensacola or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pensacola is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Monica is one of the most popular family destinations. Many families spend their days hanging out on the beaches, soaking up the sun, and even trying to surf. There's a boardwalk as well as bike paths that are perfect for people watching. You should also check out the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which is a thrilling amusement park.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Pensacola. Kid-friendly beaches, minigolf, a zoo, and even a few museums make this a great family destination. There are family-friendly resorts and kid-friendly restaurants that make for an easy vacation that everyone will enjoy.

Is Pensacola or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Both Pensacola and Santa Monica are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Pensacola is a very popular place to visit for couples. Beautiful beaches and sunset cruises make this a great romantic getaway. You'll find great restaurants for a date night and plenty of activity once the sun goes down. During the day you can lounge on the beach or by the pool, sip drinks, and enjoy a vacation with your loved one.

Santa Monica makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fun days on the beach, peaceful walks at sunset, and a wild nightlife scene make this the perfect couples destination for couples who enjoy activity and excitement.

Is Pensacola or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Monica is very good for backpackers. However, Pensacola is a mediocre beach town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Santa Monica is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of activities in the area, whether you're into surfing, partying, or sunbathing. There's also at least one hostel that's great for budget travelers and backpackers.

Pensacola is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a few budget-friendly places to stay, particularly away from the beach.

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

Santa Monica is notable for its public transit. However, Pensacola is a mediocre beach town for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Santa Monica can get you to some places easily. The Metro E Line connects the city to downtown Los Angeles. There's also the Big Blue Bus as well the Santa Monica Circuit, which are small electric carts that offer free rides between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street.

Public transit is quite limited in Pensacola. There's a bus system, but it's not particularly helpful to vacationers.

Is Pensacola or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is notable for its high level of walkability. However, Pensacola is a mediocre beach town for its ease of walking around.

Santa Monica is a very walkable town. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

Pensacola is generally not a very walkable beach town. It's not a particularly walkable city and you'll want to have a car to fully enjoy your vacation.

For even more information, also check out Is Pensacola Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Monica Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Pensacola?

How long in Pensacola or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pensacola and Santa Monica. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Pensacola than in Santa Monica. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Pensacola, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Monica than Pensacola 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 Monica.

One day in Pensacola or Santa Monica?

In Pensacola, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this fun-filled beach town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Monica. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Monica has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Pensacola or Santa Monica?

Pensacola is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Santa Monica. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Pensacola or Santa Monica?

In Pensacola, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this entertaining destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the beaches. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively town of Santa Monica. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Pensacola or Santa Monica?

Pensacola is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Santa Monica is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Pensacola and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Pensacola Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pensacola or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Pensacola. When comparing the sizes of Pensacola and Santa Monica, 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 Pensacola or Santa Monica?

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 Pensacola or Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica and Pensacola are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Pensacola for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Pensacola is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Pensacola averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Pensacola. In July, Pensacola usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Pensacola gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pensacola or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

Both Santa Monica and Pensacola during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Pensacola because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In the autumn, Pensacola is around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pensacola in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pensacola. Pensacola usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Pensacola gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Pensacola is June to November.

Should I visit Pensacola or Santa Monica in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pensacola and Santa Monica. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pensacola this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Pensacola is generally cooler than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 51°F (10°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Pensacola gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Pensacola usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Pensacola gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pensacola or Santa Monica in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pensacola as well as Santa Monica. Many travelers come to Pensacola for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the spring for the beaches.

Pensacola is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Pensacola averages around 67°F (20°C) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Pensacola usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Pensacola gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Pensacola.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Pensacola