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

Should you visit Santa Barbara or Vancouver?

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

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Vancouver? 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.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a friendly, outdoorsy, and scenic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Vancouver attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Vancouver travel costs.

Santa Barbara and Vancouver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Barbara or Vancouver?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Barbara than Vancouver. While Vancouver is larger than Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Vancouver is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and big city activities. 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. Vancouver is well known for its beautiful setting, sweeping views, and welcoming atmosphere.

How is Santa Barbara different from Vancouver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Vancouver is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Vancouver on the map. There are tons of museums and sights around town such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, and Science World. Also make sure you take a walk over the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Many visitors head to Santa Barbara specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

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

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 Vancouver. You'll find diverse restaurants and fresh ingredients. Local seafood is a staple in many restaurants so make sure you try the prawns, salmon, and even sea urchin. Asian food is also excellent around town. Sushi, Japanese hot dogs, and dim sum are all worth sampling.

Is Santa Barbara or Vancouver Better for Nightlife?

Vancouver is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.

Vancouver offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the activity is centered around The Granville Entertainment District in the downtown area. It runs along Granville Street between Robson Street and Davie Street. In the area you'll find a high concentration of bars and nightclubs.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Is Santa Barbara or Vancouver Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is great for its luxury resorts. However, Vancouver 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.

Vancouver is not a resort destination.

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

Santa Barbara is adequate for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Vancouver 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.

Vancouver is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Vancouver Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is a must-visit destination for its beaches. However, Vancouver 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.

Vancouver is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Vancouver Better for its Old Town?

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

Vancouver does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Barbara or Vancouver Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Santa Barbara and Vancouver 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 Vancouver specifically for its hiking. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, making it one of the best hiking cities in the world. You don't have to go far to enjoy spectacular vistas, serene rainforests, and rugged coastline. The trails range from casual strolls to more strenuous day long hikes.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Barbara or Vancouver?

Both Santa Barbara and Vancouver are amazing shopping destinations.

Santa Barbara is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Vancouver. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. You can enjoy strolling through Chinatown, hitting up a public market, or wandering around a large shopping mall.

Is Santa Barbara or Vancouver More Beautiful?

Santa Barbara is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Vancouver is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its scenery and 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.

The beauty of Vancouver is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It sits between the Pacific Ocean and high reaching mountains, so the city offers spectacular views.

Is Santa Barbara or Vancouver Better for Families?

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

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.

Vancouver is a very family-friendly destination. There are great kid-friendly museums like the Science Museum, as well as outdoor markets, public parks, and easy access to the nearby nature. A visit to Grouse Mountain is a must for many families. You can see the bears, take a gondola, and see the a lumberjack show.

Is Santa Barbara or Vancouver Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santa Barbara and Vancouver 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, Vancouver has plenty to offer. Most of the activities take advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting. You can take a carriage ride in Stanley Park or visit the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. Eat dim sum in Chinatown and then wander through the diverse neighborhood. End the day with a show at Orpheum Theater.

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

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

Vancouver is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a favorite city for backpackers who enjoy the many outdoor activities. There are also many hostels available around town.

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 Vancouver Better for Students?

Santa Barbara and Vancouver are both superb destinations for students and younger travelers.

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.

Vancouver is very popular with students. The cities friendly personality and fun energy make it a great place to study.

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

Vancouver is renowned for its public transit. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Vancouver has a great public transit system. Public transit is efficient and comfortable. The Translink system includes buses, the SeaBus ferry, and the SkyTrain light rail system.

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

Is Santa Barbara or Vancouver a more walkable city?

Vancouver is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Vancouver on foot. The downtown area is very compact and fun to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Vancouver or Santa Barbara?

How long in Santa Barbara or Vancouver?

In either Santa Barbara or Vancouver, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Vancouver than Santa Barbara because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Santa Barbara, and 3-5 days is enough time in Vancouver.

Families should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Vancouver. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vancouver than Santa Barbara 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 Vancouver.

One day in Santa Barbara or Vancouver?

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal town of Santa Barbara. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vancouver is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Vancouver?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the stunning destination of Santa Barbara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.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 Vancouver. 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 Vancouver?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the wealthy coastal town of Santa Barbara. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Vancouver is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city 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 Vancouver?

Santa Barbara is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Vancouver. 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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Barbara and Vancouver, we can see that Santa Barbara is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver 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 Vancouver.

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 Vancouver Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Barbara or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Santa Barbara and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?

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 Vancouver in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santa Barbara as well as Vancouver. 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 Vancouver because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Santa Barbara is around the same temperature as Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santa Barbara in July average around 65°F (19°C), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in July than Vancouver. Santa Barbara gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Vancouver in the Autumn?

Both Vancouver 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 city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vancouver this time of year.

In October, Santa Barbara is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 62°F (17°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Santa Barbara gets 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Vancouver in the Winter?

Both Vancouver 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 Vancouver for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. Santa Barbara is much warmer than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Santa Barbara gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Vancouver in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Santa Barbara is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santa Barbara in April average around 57°F (14°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Santa Barbara gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Santa Barbara