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

Should you visit Santa Barbara or Vernon?

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

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Vernon? 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 pristine, affluent, and scenic coastal town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. You'll find world class beauty in Santa Barbara as well. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a quiet, peaceful, and relaxing town. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping. See Vernon travel costs.

Santa Barbara and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Barbara or Vernon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Santa Barbara and Vernon are popular destinations, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is more touristy than Vernon and is known 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. Vernon is famous for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Santa Barbara different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santa Barbara is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Vernon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

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

Santa Barbara is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Santa Barbara or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Santa Barbara is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

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 Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Santa Barbara or Vernon Better for Resorts?

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

Santa Barbara is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Vernon is not a resort destination.

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

Santa Barbara is a moderate coastal town for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Vernon Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is terrific for the beach. However, Vernon is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Santa Barbara are among the best in 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.

Vernon is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Vernon Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Vernon does not have a historic old town.

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

Vernon does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Barbara or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is terrific for the nearby hiking options. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Known for its hiking, Santa Barbara draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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 visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Barbara or Vernon?

Santa Barbara is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Vernon. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Santa Barbara or Vernon More Beautiful?

Santa Barbara is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

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.

Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Santa Barbara or Vernon Better for Families?

Santa Barbara is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Vernon is a family-friendly coastal town. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Santa Barbara or Vernon Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is terrific for couples. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Santa Barbara has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Is Santa Barbara or Vernon Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is a well-known place for students. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not popular with students.

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

Santa Barbara is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Vernon is not a good town 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 Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Santa Barbara or Vernon a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

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

Vernon is generally not a very walkable coastal town. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Santa Barbara?

How long in Santa Barbara or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santa Barbara and Vernon. In our opinion, Santa Barbara has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Santa Barbara than Vernon. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Santa Barbara, and 1-3 days is enough time in Vernon.

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

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 quiet destination of Vernon. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Vernon?

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 Vernon. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Vernon?

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 peaceful destination of Vernon. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town 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 Vernon?

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 town of Vernon. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

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

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 Vernon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Barbara or Vernon?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Santa Barbara and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

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 Vernon in the Summer?

Both Vernon and Santa Barbara are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Vernon in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Santa Barbara is cooler than Vernon in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 65°F (19°C) in July, and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Vernon. Santa Barbara gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Vernon in the Autumn?

Both Vernon and Santa Barbara during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Vernon for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Santa Barbara is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Barbara in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Vernon averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Santa Barbara usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Vernon. Santa Barbara gets 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Vernon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Barbara and Vernon. 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 Vernon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vernon can be very cold. In January, Santa Barbara is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 52°F (11°C), and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In January, Santa Barbara usually receives more rain than Vernon. Santa Barbara gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Vernon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santa Barbara as well as Vernon. The spring months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Santa Barbara is a little warmer than Vernon in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 57°F (14°C) in April, and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Santa Barbara usually gets more rain in April than Vernon. Santa Barbara gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Santa Barbara