A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Simons vs. Santa Cruz for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Saint Simons or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit Saint Simons or Santa Cruz? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a relaxing, laid back, and scenic island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Saint Simons is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking. See Saint Simons 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 Simons and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Cruz. Although Saint Simons and Santa Cruz are both popular with visitors, Santa Cruz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Cruz is more popular for its museums and attractions and nightlife, while Saint Simons is known for its food, resorts, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Saint Simons is popular for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. Santa Cruz is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also home to Santa Cruz Wharf.

How is Saint Simons 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 Simons. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Santa Cruz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

While most people don't head to Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.

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

Saint Simons is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saint Simons makes for a great culinary experience. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

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 Simons or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a great destination for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

The people in Santa Cruz know how to have a good time. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

Is Saint Simons or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Saint Simons is a popular place for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Saint Simons has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Simons or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Saint Simons and Santa Cruz are high quality choices.

Saint Simons is considered a top beach destination. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Is Saint Simons or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Saint Simons and Santa Cruz both have good trails.

Saint Simons is a good destination for hiking. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

Many people include a hike when visiting Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Simons or Santa Cruz?

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

Saint Simons is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

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

Is Saint Simons or Santa Cruz More Beautiful?

Saint Simons is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Saint Simons is a gorgeous place to visit. Beautiful beaches and live oaks with Spanish moss give the island a southern charm.

Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Simons or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Saint Simons or Santa Cruz.

Saint Simons is a very family-friendly place to visit. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

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 Simons or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Saint Simons and Santa Cruz make for a high quality place to visit.

Couples visit Saint Simons frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

Santa Cruz is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

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

Santa Cruz is a popular place for backpackers. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Saint Simons is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are campgrounds in the area that offer access to the island.

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

Santa Cruz is a town with a few options for its public transit. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is quite limited in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

Is Saint Simons or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Saint Simons 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 Simons is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

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

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

How long in Saint Simons or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint Simons or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Saint Simons than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Simons, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

Couples should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Saint Simons. 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 Simons 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 Simons or Santa Cruz?

Saint Simons might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Santa Cruz, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this coastal town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Saint Simons or Santa Cruz?

Even though Saint Simons is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this island.

Santa Cruz is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

Five days in Saint Simons or Santa Cruz?

Saint Simons, a popular island, 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Santa Cruz. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

A week in Saint Simons or Santa Cruz?

Saint Simons is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

Santa Cruz is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Simons and Santa Cruz, we can see that Saint Simons 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 Simons would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Simons 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 Simons Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons 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 Simons 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 Simons or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Simons and Santa Cruz. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

Saint Simons is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Saint Simons gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Simons usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Saint Simons gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Simons as well as Santa Cruz. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Saint Simons is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Simons in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Saint Simons usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santa Cruz and Saint Simons are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint Simons for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Saint Simons is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 53°F (12°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In January, Saint Simons usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Saint Simons gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Santa Cruz and Saint Simons during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint Simons in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

Saint Simons is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Saint Simons usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 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 Simons