A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santa Barbara vs. Moncton for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Santa Barbara or Moncton?

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

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Moncton? 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.

Moncton

Moncton is a cultural, quaint, and compact city. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping. See Moncton travel costs.

Santa Barbara and Moncton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Barbara or Moncton?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Santa Barbara and Moncton are popular destinations, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is more touristy than Moncton and is popular 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. Moncton is famous for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities.

How is Santa Barbara different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santa Barbara is great for its historical sights. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Moncton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

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

Santa Barbara is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Barbara has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Moncton offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a range of casual eateries around town as well as wine tasting and a few upscales places. Poutine is the local favorite, but you can also try fried seafood or a local stew.

Is Santa Barbara or Moncton Better for Nightlife?

Santa Barbara is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Moncton is not a good destination for nightlife.

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 Moncton specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Many of the local bars and clubs are geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

Is Santa Barbara or Moncton Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is great for its luxury resorts. However, Moncton is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Santa Barbara to choose from. 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.

Moncton is not a resort destination.

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

Santa Barbara is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Moncton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can 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.

Moncton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Moncton Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Moncton is not a beach destination.

Santa Barbara offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Moncton is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Moncton Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Moncton 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.

Moncton does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Barbara or Moncton Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for hiking. However, Moncton is not a hiking destination.

Santa Barbara is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Moncton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Barbara or Moncton?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Moncton is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of independent shops and larger big box stores. Some of the largest shopping areas include Mapleton Plaza and Wheeler Park Power Centre.

Is Santa Barbara or Moncton More Beautiful?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Moncton is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Santa Barbara because of it's amazing beauty. 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.

Moncton is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Santa Barbara or Moncton Better for Families?

Santa Barbara is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Santa Barbara. 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.

Moncton is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a family-friendly town with indoor play spaces and outdoor parks. Highlights for families include a visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo and a stop at Butterfly World and the Boardwalk.

Is Santa Barbara or Moncton Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Santa Barbara is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Moncton is a nice destination for couples. There are some great date night ideas like wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Winery or seeing a show at the theater.

Is Santa Barbara or Moncton Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Moncton 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.

Moncton is not popular with students.

Is Santa Barbara or Moncton 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, Moncton is not a good destination 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 Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Santa Barbara or Moncton a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Moncton is somewhat walkable. It's relatively compact and dense enough to get around on foot in many parts.

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

Should I spend more time in Moncton or Santa Barbara?

How long in Santa Barbara or Moncton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Santa Barbara or Moncton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Santa Barbara than Moncton 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 1-2 days is enough time in Moncton.

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

In Santa Barbara, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the quaint destination of Moncton. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Santa Barbara or Moncton?

In Santa Barbara, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Barbara has to offer.

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

Santa Barbara is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Moncton. 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 Moncton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Barbara. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Barbara. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the city of Moncton. 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 Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

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

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 Moncton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Barbara or Moncton?

Moncton has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Santa Barbara and Moncton, 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 Moncton?

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 Moncton in the Summer?

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

Santa Barbara is around the same temperature as Moncton in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 65°F (19°C) in July, and Moncton fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in July than Moncton. Santa Barbara gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Moncton in the Autumn?

Both Moncton 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 shopping scene are the main draw to Moncton this time of year.

In the autumn, Santa Barbara is much warmer than Moncton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Barbara in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Moncton averages at about 8°C (46°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. In October, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Moncton. Santa Barbara gets 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Moncton in the Winter?

Both Moncton 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Moncton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Moncton. In January, Santa Barbara is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 52°F (11°C), and Moncton fluctuates around -8°C (17°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in January than Moncton. Santa Barbara gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Moncton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Barbara and Moncton. Many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Moncton can get quite cold in the spring. Santa Barbara is much warmer than Moncton in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 57°F (14°C) in April, and Moncton fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Moncton. Santa Barbara gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Moncton and Santa Barbara