A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John vs. Santa Monica for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John 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 Saint John 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.

Where Should I go: Saint John or Santa Monica?

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

Santa Monica

When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.

Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.

So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.

The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica or Saint John?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Saint John Prices
    USVI Prices
    Santa Monica Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Saint John $233
    Santa Monica $248

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John is $233, while the average daily cost in Santa Monica is $248. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint John and Santa Monica in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John $106
    Santa Monica $123
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John $212
    Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in Saint John and Santa Monica

Looking for a hotel in Saint John or Santa Monica? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Saint John


Hotels in Santa Monica


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santa Monica Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John $49
    Santa Monica $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Monica

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:

  • Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
  • Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $191

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John or Santa Monica?

Prices for flights to both Santa Monica and Saint John change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint John $97
    Santa Monica $91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Monica

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.

  • Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour By Junket: $74
  • City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $132
  • Romantic-Surprise Dinner-Wine & Cheese or Sushi Boat Cruise: $149
  • Gourmet Santa Monica Walking Food Tour with Delicious Dish: $159

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John $23
    Santa Monica $38

Tours and Activities in Saint John

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627

Tours and Activities in Santa Monica

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:

  • Santa Monica Superhero Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
  • Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
  • Santa Monica Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Santa Monica Sinister Sins & Sorrow Ghost Tour: $26
  • Santa Monica Art Museum: General Admission Ticket: $28
  • LA & Self-Guided Aerospace Legacy Audio Tour: $30
  • Highway 1 Pacific Coast Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $30
  • Santa Monica Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Home Tour: $49
  • Hollywood Tour with Walk of Fame Stop: $55
  • 3 ½-Hour Sea to the Stars Hollywood Hopper Tour: $55
  • Venice Beach and Santa Monica eBike Tour : $56

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John $44
    Santa Monica $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Monica

Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Santa Monica Bar Crawl: $15
  • Vintage VW Hippie Shared Tour to Malibu with Wine Tasting: $199


When comparing the travel costs between Saint John 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. Even though Saint John is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Monica is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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



When is the best time to visit Saint John or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Santa Monica in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Santa Monica. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint John is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 70°F (21°C).

In July, Saint John usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John 29°C (83°F) 
    Santa Monica 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Saint John or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Santa Monica. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Saint John is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

Saint John receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John 28°C (82°F) 
    Santa Monica 67°F (20°C)

Should I visit Saint John or Santa Monica in the Winter?

Both Santa Monica and Saint John are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Saint John is much warmer than Santa Monica in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In January, Saint John usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John 26°C (78°F) 
    Santa Monica 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Saint John or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica and Saint John during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches.

In the spring, Saint John is much warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 61°F (16°C).

Saint John usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John 27°C (80°F) 
    Santa Monica 61°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Saint John

Saint John Santa Monica
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 57°F (14°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
Feb 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 58°F (15°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 58°F (15°C) 0.4 inches (10 mm)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 61°F (16°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 63°F (17°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 66°F (19°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 70°F (21°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in) 71°F (22°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in) 70°F (21°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 67°F (20°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in) 62°F (17°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 58°F (14°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)