A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Santa Cruz vs. Honolulu for Attractions, Beaches, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Santa Cruz or Honolulu?

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

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Honolulu? 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 Cruz

Santa Cruz is a coastal, scenic, and laid back town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Honolulu

Honolulu is a energetic, vibrant, and multi-cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Honolulu is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Honolulu travel costs.

Santa Cruz and Honolulu: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Cruz or Honolulu?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Honolulu than Santa Cruz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Honolulu is more touristy than Santa Cruz and is popular for its multicultural atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and iconic hikes. It is also home to Pearl Harbor. Santa Cruz is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches.

How is Santa Cruz different from Honolulu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Honolulu and Santa Cruz. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santa Cruz or Honolulu?

Honolulu is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Honolulu that are not to be missed. For many visitors, a trip to Pearl Harbor is one of the most memorable experiences while they're in Hawaii. It's still an active naval base, but it's also a National Historic Landmark that memorializes that historic day in 1941. There are many sights that reflect on the past and you can also pick up tours to the USS Arizona at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Other cultural sights around Honolulu include the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Shangri-La Museum, and Iolani Palace.

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Is the Food Better in Santa Cruz or Honolulu? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Honolulu is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Honolulu makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers a mix of internationally recognized chain restaurants as well as local mom and pop shops. You'll find a mix of cuisines that reflect the city's multicultural personality. There is plenty of Japanese food around town as well as local Hawaiian dishes. Spam is incorporated into many dishes, but you'll also find seafood and tropical fruits.

Santa Cruz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Is Santa Cruz or Honolulu Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are excellent in both Santa Cruz and Honolulu.

Santa Cruz has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Honolulu has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has the most active nightlife scene on all of the Hawaiian islands. If you're looking for a party, then this is the place to stay. You'll find many bars, clubs, and entertainment options around town, as well as beach parties and festivals. For tourists, the highest concentration of nightlife venues is around Waikiki, which is also where you'll find the most hotels.

Is Santa Cruz or Honolulu Better for Resorts?

Honolulu is very popular for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Honolulu is a great choice. The highest concentration of resorts are around Waikiki where you'll find all of the major names such as the Hilton, Marriott, and the Hyatt.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Santa Cruz or Honolulu Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Honolulu is notable for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Santa Cruz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Honolulu. There are great beaches around the island and near the city where you can enjoy diving and snorkeling. You'll find coral and tropical fish that make for a wonderful experience.

Santa Cruz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santa Cruz or Honolulu Better for Beaches?

Honolulu is very popular for its beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Honolulu. Nearby there are countless beach destinations such as the famed Waikiki Beach. There are also more local and lesser known stretches of sand where you can escape the tourist crowds. Other great beaches in the area include Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Magic Island, and Lanikai Beach.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Is Santa Cruz or Honolulu Better for Hiking?

Honolulu is very popular for the nearby hiking options. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

People visit Honolulu specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Both in the city and nearby you'll find world famous hiking trails that offer spectacular views and breathtaking landscapes. There are many natural landmarks and dramatic mountains. Moanalua Valley Trail, also known as the Stairway to Heaven, is one of the top hiking trails in the area. Other popular options include Kuliouou Ridge Trail and Diamond Head Crater Hike.

Many people include a hike when visiting Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Cruz or Honolulu?

Honolulu is notable for shopping. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Honolulu is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has some of the best shopping opportunities in the Hawaiian islands. There are brand name fashion outlets, large shopping malls, and boutique local vendors. Many of the malls are open air and let you enjoy the Hawaiian climate while you browse. Downtown Honolulu and Waikiki both have many shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Santa Cruz or Honolulu More Beautiful?

Honolulu is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Honolulu is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's beautiful beaches and scenic viewpoints make this a beautiful city. It also has a mix of cultures and dynamic neighborhoods.

Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Santa Cruz or Honolulu Better for Families?

Honolulu is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Honolulu is a very family-friendly destination. There are many kid-friendly beaches, hiking trails, and activities that appeal to families. While Waikiki Beach can get crowded, it is also a great option for kids. Kids will also enjoy snorkeling with sea turtles, swimming with dolphins, or taking surfing lessons. For a cold treat, everyone can enjoy shave ice and the perfect way to wrap up a day is a fun luau.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Cruz is very family-friendly. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

Is Santa Cruz or Honolulu Better for Couples?

Honolulu is very popular for romance. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

Honolulu makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Romantic resorts, beautiful beaches, and stunning hikes make this a top honeymoon destination for couples. The city has an energy that is unlike anywhere else on the Hawaiian islands, but there are also nature trails and outdoor adventures nearby. There are a diversity of restaurants that highlight both local and international cuisines, and a nightlife scene that will keep you entertained.

Santa Cruz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Is Santa Cruz or Honolulu Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Honolulu is notable for backpackers. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Honolulu. This is one of the easier places to stay in Hawaii as a backpacker. There are a handful of hostels, and public transit is available so having a car isn't as crucial as it is everywhere else.

Santa Cruz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

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

Honolulu is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Cruz is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Honolulu has a few public transit options. TheBus is the public bus system through the city and elsewhere on Oahu.

Public transit is mostly limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Santa Cruz or Honolulu a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Honolulu is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Santa Cruz is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

Honolulu is a very walkable town. The most walkable areas are around downtown Honolulu and in Waikiki.

For even more information, also check out Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting? and Is Honolulu Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Honolulu or Santa Cruz?

How long in Santa Cruz or Honolulu?

Both Santa Cruz and Honolulu have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Honolulu than in Santa Cruz. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Santa Cruz, and 5-7 days is enough time in Honolulu.

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

Couples should spend more time in Honolulu than Santa Cruz. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Honolulu that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Honolulu than Santa Cruz 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 Honolulu.

One day in Santa Cruz or Honolulu?

The town of Santa Cruz offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

When visiting Honolulu, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Santa Cruz or Honolulu?

Santa Cruz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Cruz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

When visiting Honolulu, people usually allow for lots of time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Santa Cruz or Honolulu?

Santa Cruz is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Honolulu, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Santa Cruz or Honolulu?

Santa Cruz is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Honolulu is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santa Cruz Expensive? and Is Honolulu Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Cruz or Honolulu?

Honolulu has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Santa Cruz and Honolulu, 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 Cruz or Honolulu?

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 Cruz or Honolulu in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santa Cruz as well as Honolulu. Many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Honolulu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Santa Cruz is cooler than Honolulu in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Cruz averages around 67°F (19°C) in July, and Honolulu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

Santa Cruz usually gets less rain in July than Honolulu. Santa Cruz gets 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Honolulu in the Autumn?

Both Honolulu and Santa Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Santa Cruz is much colder than Honolulu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Cruz in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Honolulu averages at about 80°F (26°C).

In October, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Santa Cruz gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Honolulu in the Winter?

Both Honolulu and Santa Cruz during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Honolulu this time of year.

In January, Santa Cruz is generally much colder than Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Santa Cruz average around 51°F (10°C), and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Santa Cruz usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Santa Cruz gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Honolulu in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Cruz and Honolulu. The beaches are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Honolulu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Santa Cruz is much colder than Honolulu in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Cruz averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Honolulu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

In April, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Santa Cruz gets 1 inches (26 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Honolulu and Santa Cruz