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

Should you visit San Fernando or Santa Monica?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando or Santa Monica, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: San Fernando or Santa Monica?

San Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica is more expensive. And not only is San Fernando much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Monica is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to San Fernando would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Fernando 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 Santa Monica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Monica than you might in San Fernando.

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

Which is Bigger, San Fernando or Santa Monica?

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

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

Should I visit San Fernando or Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica and San Fernando during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

San Fernando is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Fernando or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and Santa Monica. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, San Fernando is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Fernando in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

San Fernando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Fernando or Santa Monica in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Santa Monica. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In January, San Fernando is generally much warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

San Fernando usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Fernando or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches.

San Fernando is much warmer than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and San Fernando