A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Santa Barbara vs. Juneau for Hiking, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Santa Barbara or Juneau?

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

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Juneau? 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 scenic, stunning, and wealthy coastal town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. You'll find world class beauty in Santa Barbara as well. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

Juneau

Juneau is a historic, scenic, and breathtaking city. You'll find world class beauty in Juneau as well. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping. See Juneau travel costs.

Santa Barbara and Juneau: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Barbara or Juneau?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Santa Barbara and Juneau are both popular with visitors, Santa Barbara has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Barbara is popular for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also home to The Old Mission Santa Barbara. Juneau is popular for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880.

How is Santa Barbara different from Juneau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Juneau 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 Juneau?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Santa Barbara or Juneau.

Santa Barbara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Juneau specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many museums focus on the history in the area, including the Gold Rush and the mining industry. You can visit several historic mines as well as the Last Chance Mining Museum. Other museums around town include the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Walter Soboleff Building, and the Alaska State Museum.

Is the Food Better in Santa Barbara or Juneau? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Santa Barbara and Juneau.

Dining out in Santa Barbara is an experience not to be missed. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Juneau. The seafood is superb and visitors will regret if they miss out on the salmon, halibut, and crab. There are many local restaurants and local chefs serving up the freshest caught fish. For the best seafood, head to the waterfront, and if you're looking for something other than seafood, the downtown is where you'll want to be.

Is Santa Barbara or Juneau Better for Nightlife?

Santa Barbara is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Juneau is not a good city for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Santa Barbara. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Juneau. There are a couple of bars and breweries, but most people relax in the evening.

Is Santa Barbara or Juneau Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Juneau is not a resort destination.

Santa Barbara is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Juneau is not a resort destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Juneau Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is a moderate coastal town for its diving and snorkeling. However, Juneau is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option 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.

Juneau is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Juneau Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for the beach. However, Juneau is not a beach destination.

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.

Juneau is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Juneau Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a popular place for its old town. However, Juneau does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Santa Barbara to see the old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Juneau does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Barbara or Juneau Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Santa Barbara and Juneau both have first-rate 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 Juneau specifically for its hiking. You'll find more than 250 miles of hiking trails in the area, and this really is the best way to experience Alaska. The area is known for its wildlife, but there are also glacier hikes, meadows, mountains, and more. In downtown Juneau there's the Perseverance Trail, the Granite Creek Trail, and the Mount Roberts Trail. From the Mendenhall Visitor Center there's the East Glacier Loop Trail, the West Glacier Trail, and the Nugget Falls Trail. There are also trails on Douglas Island and many options just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Barbara or Juneau?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Juneau is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Santa Barbara make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Juneau. There's a mix of contemporary art and traditional artisan crafts. You'll find gift shops and art galleries around, particularly downtown and in the Mendenhall Valley business district. Visitors often enjoy buying art, wood carvings, jewelry, pottery, quilts, or dolls.

Is Santa Barbara or Juneau More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of first-rate scenery and beauty in both Santa Barbara and Juneau.

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.

Juneau is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The landscape is filled with glaciers, mountains, and fjords, making it a dramatic and beautiful destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Juneau Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Santa Barbara or Juneau.

Santa Barbara is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Juneau is a very family-friendly destination. Its is filled with adventure that the whole family will enjoy. There's whale watching, dog sled tours, helicopter rides, hiking, and the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway. This bucket-list destination will have an impact on kids and adults alike.

Is Santa Barbara or Juneau Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santa Barbara and Juneau make for a first-rate 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, Juneau has plenty to offer. Couples who enjoy exploring and adventuring will be in awe of this destination. Glacier trekking, superb gardens, and romantic helicopter rides will leave you feeling like a contestant on "The Bachelor". There are also opportunities for romantic evenings out and cozy hotels where you can stay in.

Is Santa Barbara or Juneau Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Juneau is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a popular destination with budget hotels and even a hostel or two.

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 Juneau Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is a well-known place for students. However, Juneau is not popular with students.

Santa Barbara is a very popular coastal town for students and younger travelers. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Juneau is not popular with students.

Is Santa Barbara or Juneau Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Barbara is a popular place for its public transit. However, Juneau is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Santa Barbara has a few public transit options. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Public transit is mostly limited in Juneau. You can only reach Juneau by boat or plane and there are three bus routes through town.

Is Santa Barbara or Juneau a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara and Juneau both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Juneau is very walkable. The downtown is very walkable and many places can be reached within a reasonable walk.

For even more information, also check out Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting? and Is Juneau Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Juneau or Santa Barbara?

How long in Santa Barbara or Juneau?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santa Barbara and Juneau. In our opinion, Santa Barbara has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Santa Barbara than Juneau. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Juneau. 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 Juneau 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 Juneau?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Santa Barbara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the breathtaking destination of Juneau. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Juneau?

Santa Barbara is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Juneau. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Santa Barbara or Juneau?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Barbara. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the breathtaking destination of Juneau. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Santa Barbara or Juneau?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Santa Barbara. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and food around the beautiful city of Juneau. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 comparing the travel costs between Santa Barbara and Juneau, we can see that Santa Barbara 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. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Juneau Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Barbara or Juneau?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Juneau. When comparing the sizes of Santa Barbara and Juneau, 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 Santa Barbara or Juneau?

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 Santa Barbara or Juneau in the Summer?

Both Juneau and Santa Barbara are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Juneau this time of year.

In July, Santa Barbara is generally a little warmer than Juneau. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 65°F (19°C), and Juneau fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Juneau. In July, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Juneau. Santa Barbara gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Juneau in the Autumn?

Both Juneau and Santa Barbara during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Juneau for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Santa Barbara is much warmer than Juneau in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Juneau fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).

Juneau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in October than Juneau. Santa Barbara gets 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Juneau in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Barbara and Juneau. Many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Juneau in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Juneau can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Santa Barbara is much warmer than Juneau. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Barbara in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Juneau averages at about 24°F (-4°C).

Juneau receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Juneau. Santa Barbara gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Juneau in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santa Barbara as well as Juneau. Many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Juneau for the natural beauty during these months.

Juneau can be very cold during spring. In April, Santa Barbara is generally much warmer than Juneau. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 57°F (14°C), and Juneau fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in April than Juneau. Santa Barbara gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Juneau and Santa Barbara