A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Santa Barbara vs. Kauai for Resorts, Beaches, Hiking, and Couples

Should you visit Santa Barbara or Kauai?

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

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Kauai? 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 stunning, wealthy, and opulent coastal town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Many visitors also come to Santa Barbara because of it's amazing beauty. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

Kauai

Kauai is a idyllic, scenic, and dramatic island. You'll find world class beauty in Kauai as well. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Kauai travel costs.

Santa Barbara and Kauai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Barbara or Kauai?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Santa Barbara and Kauai are popular destinations, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is very popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Kauai attracts visitors for its resorts and scuba diving & snorkeling. Kauai is more touristy than Santa Barbara and is popular for its waterfalls, canyons, and diverse rainforests. Santa Barbara is famous for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also well known for The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

How is Santa Barbara different from Kauai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Santa Barbara. 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.

Kauai is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local museums that educate visitors on the island's history and culture. You can also visit sugar plantations and art galleries.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Santa Barbara and Kauai.

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 Kauai. The food in Kauai combines the island's diverse cultures into a unique mix of flavors. There's fresh seafood, tropical fruit, and, of course, spam. You'll find common dishes like poke bowls and coconut shrimp, as well as more local dishes such as poi and lomi lomi.

Is Santa Barbara or Kauai Better for Nightlife?

Both Santa Barbara and Kauai are nice when it comes to partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kauai. The island has more of a relaxed vibe than a party vibe, but there are plenty of places to listen to live music. There are also local dive bars as well as wine bars and upscale lounges where you can enjoy a drink. Many often have a dance floor as well.

Is Santa Barbara or Kauai Better for Resorts?

Kauai 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, Kauai is a great choice. You'll find major resorts of all forms and sizes. Most of the major hotel chains have resorts on the island, including the Marriott, the Sheraton, and Hyatt.

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 Kauai Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kauai is a well-known place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Kauai. There aren't as many snorkeling and diving options as there are on some of the other Hawaiian islands, but you'll still find plenty of places to enjoy the underwater world. Popular snorkeling spots around the island include Ke'e Beach, Haena Beach Park, and Anini Beach.

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 Kauai Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Santa Barbara and Kauai are amazing 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, Kauai is a very popular vacation destination. The island is filled with scenic beaches and idyllic coastline. The water conditions can be highly variable, so you should check with a local before entering the water. But the island has about 50 miles of sandy coastline that will take your breath away. You'll also likely see Hawaiian monk seals or sea turtles on the beach.

Is Santa Barbara or Kauai Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Kauai does not have a historic old town.

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

Kauai does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Barbara or Kauai Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Santa Barbara and Kauai both have amazing 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 Kauai specifically for its hiking. Kauai is a beautiful island with world famous hikes through the stunning mountains. The hiking trails take you through lush rainforests and along scenic coastlines. The mountains climb high and the trails range from easy to challenging. Popular hikes include the Awawawapuhi Nualolo Trail, the Cliff Trail to Waipoo Falls, and the Kalalau Trail.IL

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Barbara or Kauai?

Santa Barbara is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Kauai is not as popular, but is still a nice island for shopping.

Many people travel to Santa Barbara specifically to go shopping. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Kauai is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of local shopping centers and larger retail malls.

Is Santa Barbara or Kauai More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of amazing scenery and beauty in both Santa Barbara and Kauai.

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.

Kauai is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The island is filled with dramatic beauty, from the inland mountains covered in tropical forests, to the scenic beaches and blue water.

Is Santa Barbara or Kauai Better for Families?

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

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.

Kauai is a very family-friendly destination. There are kid-friendly hikes, beautiful bike rides, and many family-friendly beaches. Do keep in mind that many beaches have strong currents and large waves, so they're not the most kid-friendly. Good options include Poipu Beach and Lydgate Beach Park.

Is Santa Barbara or Kauai Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santa Barbara and Kauai make for a amazing 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, Kauai has plenty to offer. "The Garden Isle" is a world class honeymoon destination with stunning beaches and iconic hikes. There are romantic resorts and many adventure activities that couples can enjoy such as whale watching and scuba diving.

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

Kauai is a popular place for backpackers. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kauai. There are a couple of hostels on the island, but you'll likely need a car to get around, which can make this an expensive destination.

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 Kauai Better for Students?

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

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

Kauai is not popular with students.

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

Santa Barbara is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Kauai 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 Kauai. There are buses on the island, but it's difficult to rely on them as a visitor.

Is Santa Barbara or Kauai a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its ease of walking around. However, Kauai is not known for its walkability.

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

Kauai is not a walkable coastal town. While there are great hikes on the island, you really need a car to get most places.

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

Should I spend more time in Kauai or Santa Barbara?

How long in Santa Barbara or Kauai?

Santa Barbara and Kauai both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kauai 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 Kauai.

Families should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Kauai. 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 Kauai. 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 Kauai 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 Kauai?

In Santa Barbara, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this wealthy destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the idyllic destination of Kauai. 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 Kauai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Barbara. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kauai. 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 Kauai?

Santa Barbara is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Santa Barbara. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 dramatic destination of Kauai. 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 Kauai?

You'll find food and shopping around the affluent destination of Santa Barbara. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 Kauai. 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 Kauai, we can see that Kauai 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 Kauai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kauai 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 Kauai Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Santa Barbara or Kauai?

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 Kauai in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santa Barbara as well as Kauai. Most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Kauai because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Santa Barbara is cooler than Kauai in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 65°F (19°C) in July, and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in July than Kauai. Santa Barbara gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 0.6 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Kauai in the Autumn?

Both Kauai and Santa Barbara are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kauai this time of year.

In the autumn, Santa Barbara is much colder than Kauai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Barbara in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Kauai averages at about 78°F (25°C).

In October, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Kauai. Santa Barbara gets 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Kauai in the Winter?

Both Kauai and Santa Barbara during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kauai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Santa Barbara is generally much colder than Kauai. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 52°F (11°C), and Kauai fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in January than Kauai. Santa Barbara gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Kauai in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Barbara and Kauai. Many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Kauai in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Santa Barbara is much colder than Kauai in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 57°F (14°C) in April, and Kauai fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In April, Santa Barbara usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kauai. Santa Barbara gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kauai and Santa Barbara