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

Should you visit Providence or Santa Monica?

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 Providence and Santa Monica. 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.

Providence

Providence is a fascinating, active, and friendly city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Providence travel costs.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a energetic, active, and lively town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Providence and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Providence or Santa Monica?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Monica than Providence. While Providence is larger than Santa Monica, Santa Monica has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Monica is more touristy than Providence and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also home to the Santa Monica Pier. Providence is popular for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Providence different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Santa Monica and Providence.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Providence. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.

Santa Monica is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Providence or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Providence and Santa Monica can be an enjoyable experience.

Providence has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Santa Monica makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Providence or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is a great town for its evening party scene. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Santa Monica has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Providence. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Is Providence or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Providence is not a beach destination.

Santa Monica offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Providence is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Providence or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santa Monica. 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.

Providence is a great destination for shopping. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Is Providence or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Santa Monica is very family-friendly. 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.

Providence is a family-friendly place to visit. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Is Providence or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Santa Monica is a great town for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Santa Monica is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

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

Santa Monica is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Providence is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Santa Monica. 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.

Providence is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town for those who want an affordable place to stay.

Is Providence or Santa Monica Better for Students?

Providence is notable for students. However, Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Providence is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Santa Monica is not popular with students.

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

Santa Monica is a great town for times when you don't have a car. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Santa Monica offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Providence has a few public transit options. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

Is Providence or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Providence and Santa Monica are superb when it comes to walkability.

Providence is a very walkable destination. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Providence?

How long in Providence or Santa Monica?

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

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Providence. 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 Providence. 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 Providence 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 Providence or Santa Monica?

In Providence, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this fascinating city offers. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the energetic town of Santa Monica, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Monica, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Providence or Santa Monica?

Providence is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Santa Monica, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Providence or Santa Monica?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fascinating destination of Providence. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Santa Monica, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Providence or Santa Monica?

Providence is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Santa Monica is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Providence 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 Providence Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Providence or Santa Monica?

Providence has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Providence 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 Providence or Santa Monica?

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 Providence or Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica and Providence during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Providence this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Providence is generally around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 73°F (23°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

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

Should I visit Providence or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Providence and Santa Monica. Many travelers come to Providence for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Providence is much colder than Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

In October, Providence usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Providence gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Providence or Santa Monica in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Providence as well as Santa Monica. Many visitors come to Providence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Providence can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Providence is much colder than Santa Monica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Providence in January average around 28°F (-2°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 57°F (14°C).

Providence usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Providence gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Providence or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica and Providence are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches.

In April, Providence is generally much colder than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 48°F (9°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, Providence usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Providence gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Providence