A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Santa Barbara vs. Big Island of Hawaii for Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, and Hiking

Should you visit Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii?

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

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii? 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.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a affluent, scenic, and stunning coastal town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Many visitors also come to Santa Barbara because of it's amazing beauty. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

Big Island of Hawaii

Big Island of Hawaii is a adventure-filled, laid back, and relaxing island. You'll find world class beauty in Big Island of Hawaii as well. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Big Island of Hawaii travel costs.

Santa Barbara and Big Island of Hawaii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara than Big Island of Hawaii, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Barbara is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Big Island of Hawaii is more popular for its resorts and scuba diving & snorkeling. Big Island of Hawaii is more touristy than Santa Barbara and is popular for its active volcanoes, black sand beaches, and majestic manta rays. Santa Barbara is well known for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. Also, Santa Barbara is famous for The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

How is Santa Barbara different from Big Island of Hawaii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its historical sights. Also, Big Island of Hawaii is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Santa Barbara can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

Big Island of Hawaii offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several local museums around the island such as the Hulihe'e Palace and 'Imiloa Astronomy Center. There's also the Hawaii Plantation Museum and the Lyman House Museum.

Is the Food Better in Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Big Island of Hawaii is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Santa Barbara. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Big Island of Hawaii. It can be challenging to find local restaurants that aren't catering to the tourist crowd, but when you do you'll be rewarded with great local dishes. Seafood, poke bowls, and shave ice are all popular.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Nightlife?

Santa Barbara is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Big Island of Hawaii is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Santa Barbara has a few options to choose from. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Most people don't head to Big Island of Hawaii specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The nightlife scene is very chill with many local places that have live music and drinks. You won't find any major nightclubs, but there are karaoke bars and laid back breweries. The most options are found in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Resorts?

Big Island of Hawaii is renowned for its resorts. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its luxury resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Big Island of Hawaii is a great choice. There are a number of beautiful luxury resorts on the island like the Hilton Waikoloa Village, the Four Seasons Resort, and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Santa Barbara. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Big Island of Hawaii is renowned for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Big Island of Hawaii a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. There are a number of beautiful snorkeling spots where you'll see beautiful fish and sometimes even sea turtles. A bucket list experience is also diving or snorkeling with the manta rays, which will take your breath away.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Santa Barbara. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Santa Barbara and Big Island of Hawaii are fantastic choices.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Santa Barbara. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

With world-famous beaches, Big Island of Hawaii is a very popular vacation destination. This is a younger island than most in Hawaii, so the beaches are varied and diverse. You'll find white sand beaches, black volcanic sand beaches, and even green sand. There are also areas where the lava rock reaches the ocean. Hapuna Beach is a favorite as is Honl's Beach.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Big Island of Hawaii does not have a historic old town.

Santa Barbara is a good destination for visiting its old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Big Island of Hawaii does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Santa Barbara and Big Island of Hawaii both have fantastic trails.

People visit Santa Barbara specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

Many people visit Big Island of Hawaii specifically for its hiking. The island is filled with miles of spectacular hiking trails. They'll take you to iconic waterfalls, world-renowned viewpoints, and through fields of lava rocks. Many people spend days hiking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but there are also impressive hikes along the Kona Coast.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii?

Santa Barbara is renowned for shopping. Also, Big Island of Hawaii is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Santa Barbara. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Big Island of Hawaii is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many local artisan shops on the island, particular in Hilo, Historic Kailua Village and along the Kohala Coast. You'll find handmade quilts, wooden carved products, and handcrafted jewelry.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of fantastic scenery and beauty in both Santa Barbara and Big Island of Hawaii.

You'll find world class beauty in Santa Barbara as well. The city is beautifully situated right by the ocean and offers stunning views and and an amazing setting. It is also filled with opulent houses and grand estates, giving it an air of grandeur.

Big Island of Hawaii is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Kilauea is the dramatic volcano that often offers a show to visitors. The island also has spectacular viewpoints like Waipi'o Valley Lookout, dramatic waterfalls, and picturesque bays.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Families?

Big Island of Hawaii is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Big Island of Hawaii is a very family-friendly destination. Families will enjoy the laid back island vibe. You can spend some time on the beach and then head inland to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If your kids are adventurous, the island is a great place to dive or snorkel with manta rays. There are also great hikes, helicopter rides, and luaus.

Santa Barbara is a very family-friendly destination. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santa Barbara and Big Island of Hawaii make for a fantastic place to visit.

Santa Barbara makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

For those traveling as a couple, Big Island of Hawaii has plenty to offer. Couples who enjoy a relaxed beach vibe will love a visit to this laid back island. There are upscale resorts as well as independent hotels that have a more personal style. The island also has stunning views, impressive hikes, and countless opportunities for romance.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Big Island of Hawaii is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Big Island of Hawaii is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. This is one of the most popular islands for backpackers. It has a mellow atmosphere that appeals to young travelers. There are also hostels on the island, but transportation can be challenging.

Santa Barbara is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city isn't really known as a budget friendly destination, but there are a couple of hostels in the area. There's also a large student population with a fun nightlife scene.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its student-friendly activities. However, Big Island of Hawaii is not popular with students.

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town to visit as a student. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Big Island of Hawaii is not popular with students.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Barbara is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Big Island of Hawaii is not known for its public transit.

While Santa Barbara offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Public transit is generally limited in Big Island of Hawaii. There is a bus service that connects Kona and Hilo. It's called the Hele-On and there are both north and south routes.

Is Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its walkability. However, Big Island of Hawaii is not known for its high level of walkability.

Santa Barbara is very walkable. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

Big Island of Hawaii is not a walkable coastal town. It's the largest of the Hawaiian islands and a car is necessary if you want to see the whole thing.

For even more information, also check out Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting? and Is Big Island of Hawaii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii or Santa Barbara?

How long in Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii?

Santa Barbara and Big Island of Hawaii both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Big Island of Hawaii than Santa Barbara because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Santa Barbara, and 5-14 days is enough time in Big Island of Hawaii.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Big Island of Hawaii. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santa Barbara that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Big Island of Hawaii 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 Barbara.

One day in Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Santa Barbara. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Big Island of Hawaii. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii?

Santa Barbara is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Big Island of Hawaii. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii?

Many people visit Santa Barbara for five days. You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful coastal town of Santa Barbara. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the relaxing destination of Big Island of Hawaii. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii?

The pristine destination of Santa Barbara offers nightlife and food. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the beautiful island of Big Island of Hawaii. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Barbara and Big Island of Hawaii, we can see that Big Island of Hawaii is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Barbara 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 Big Island of Hawaii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Big Island of Hawaii than you might in Santa Barbara.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santa Barbara Expensive? and Is Big Island of Hawaii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii?

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 Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santa Barbara as well as Big Island of Hawaii. Many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Santa Barbara is cooler than Big Island of Hawaii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santa Barbara in July average around 65°F (19°C), and Big Island of Hawaii averages at about 76°F (24°C).

It's quite rainy in Big Island of Hawaii. Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in July than Big Island of Hawaii. Santa Barbara gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii in the Autumn?

Both Big Island of Hawaii and Santa Barbara are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Santa Barbara is generally cooler than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 62°F (17°C), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Island of Hawaii. In October, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Santa Barbara gets 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii in the Winter?

Both Big Island of Hawaii and Santa Barbara during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Big Island of Hawaii because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Santa Barbara is much colder than Big Island of Hawaii in the winter. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

Big Island of Hawaii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in January than Big Island of Hawaii. Santa Barbara gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Big Island of Hawaii in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Barbara and Big Island of Hawaii. The spring months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Big Island of Hawaii this time of year.

In the spring, Santa Barbara is much colder than Big Island of Hawaii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santa Barbara in April average around 57°F (14°C), and Big Island of Hawaii averages at about 73°F (23°C).

Big Island of Hawaii receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Santa Barbara gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Island of Hawaii and Santa Barbara