A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Louis vs. Santa Cruz for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Louis or Santa Cruz?

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 Louis and Santa Cruz. 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.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a under rated, unexpected, and fascinating city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Saint Louis travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a coastal, scenic, and laid back town. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Saint Louis and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Santa Cruz?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santa Cruz than Saint Louis. While Saint Louis is larger than Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santa Cruz is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Saint Louis is known for its museums and attractions and shopping. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Saint Louis and is known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also home to Santa Cruz Wharf. Saint Louis is popular for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.

How is Saint Louis different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Louis or Santa Cruz?

Saint Louis is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Saint Louis that are not to be missed. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Is the Food Better in Saint Louis or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saint Louis and Santa Cruz can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Saint Louis offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

Santa Cruz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Is Saint Louis or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is well known for nightlife. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Santa Cruz is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Louis has a few options to choose from. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

Is Saint Louis or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is well known for its beaches. However, Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Santa Cruz for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Louis or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz offers some nice hiking trails. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Santa Cruz?

Saint Louis is notable for shopping. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Saint Louis is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Saint Louis or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Both Saint Louis and Santa Cruz are superb family-friendly destinations.

Saint Louis is a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Cruz is very family-friendly. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

Is Saint Louis or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is well known for romance. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Santa Cruz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Saint Louis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

Is Saint Louis or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a good destination for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.

Is Saint Louis or Santa Cruz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Louis is notable for its public transit. However, Santa Cruz is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Saint Louis can move around easily with public transportation. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Saint Louis or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an amazing town to visit for its walkability. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Santa Cruz on foot is easy. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Louis Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint Louis or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Saint Louis than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Saint Louis 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 Cruz.

One day in Saint Louis or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the under rated city of Saint Louis, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint Louis, one day is sufficent for most.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal town of Santa Cruz. 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 Saint Louis or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Saint Louis, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the coastal destination of Santa Cruz. 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 Saint Louis or Santa Cruz?

Saint Louis, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The scenic town of Santa Cruz offers shopping and museums. 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 Saint Louis or Santa Cruz?

Saint Louis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Cruz. 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 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 Saint Louis and Santa Cruz, we can see that Saint Louis is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Saint Louis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Louis than you might in Santa Cruz.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Santa Cruz?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Santa Cruz, 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 Saint Louis or Santa Cruz?

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 Saint Louis or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Santa Cruz. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Louis is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In July, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Santa Cruz. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Saint Louis is cooler than Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Louis in October average around 60°F (16°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Saint Louis can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint Louis is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 31°F (-1°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In January, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Santa Cruz. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Saint Louis during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches.

Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Saint Louis