A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Santa Cruz vs. Ketchikan for Food, Hiking, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Santa Cruz or Ketchikan?

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

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Ketchikan? 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a local, scenic, and quaint town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Ketchikan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping. See Ketchikan travel costs.

Santa Cruz and Ketchikan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Cruz or Ketchikan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Cruz. Although Santa Cruz and Ketchikan are both popular with visitors, Santa Cruz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Cruz is more popular for its nightlife and beaches, while Ketchikan is known for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Santa Cruz is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also home to Santa Cruz Wharf. Ketchikan is popular for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture.

How is Santa Cruz different from Ketchikan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Santa Cruz and Ketchikan have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Santa Cruz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Ketchikan offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

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

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

For foodies, Ketchikan is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

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 Ketchikan Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is notable for nightlife. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ketchikan. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

Is Santa Cruz or Ketchikan Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is notable for its beaches. However, Ketchikan is not a beach destination.

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.

Ketchikan is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Cruz or Ketchikan Better for Hiking?

Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

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 Ketchikan?

Both Santa Cruz and Ketchikan are good shopping destinations.

Santa Cruz is a great destination for shopping. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ketchikan. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

Is Santa Cruz or Ketchikan More Beautiful?

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

Ketchikan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's located at the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage, so you can expect dramatic natural beauty and a breathtaking setting.

Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Santa Cruz or Ketchikan Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Santa Cruz or Ketchikan.

Santa Cruz is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Ketchikan is very family-friendly. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

Is Santa Cruz or Ketchikan Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santa Cruz and Ketchikan make for a great place to visit.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Ketchikan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

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

Both Santa Cruz and Ketchikan are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Ketchikan is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

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

Both Santa Cruz and Ketchikan offer decent public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.

Is Santa Cruz or Ketchikan a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is renowned for its walkability. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Ketchikan is a very walkable town. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ketchikan or Santa Cruz?

How long in Santa Cruz or Ketchikan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santa Cruz and Ketchikan. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ketchikan than in Santa Cruz. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Santa Cruz, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ketchikan.

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

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

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

One day in Santa Cruz or Ketchikan?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Cruz. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Cruz has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With museums and food around the scenic town of Ketchikan, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ketchikan, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Santa Cruz or Ketchikan?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With food and shopping around the destination of Ketchikan, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Santa Cruz or Ketchikan?

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

Ketchikan, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Santa Cruz or Ketchikan?

Santa Cruz is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Ketchikan is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. 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 Ketchikan, we can see that Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Cruz or Ketchikan?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Santa Cruz and Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan?

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 Cruz or Ketchikan in the Summer?

Both Ketchikan and Santa Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ketchikan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Santa Cruz is a little warmer than Ketchikan in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Cruz averages around 67°F (19°C) in July, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In July, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Santa Cruz gets 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Ketchikan in the Autumn?

Both Ketchikan and Santa Cruz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Ketchikan in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Santa Cruz is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Cruz in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 46°F (8°C).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santa Cruz usually gets less rain in October than Ketchikan. Santa Cruz gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Ketchikan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Cruz and Ketchikan. Many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Ketchikan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ketchikan can be very cold during winter. In January, Santa Cruz is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Santa Cruz average around 51°F (10°C), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Santa Cruz gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Ketchikan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santa Cruz as well as Ketchikan. Most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Santa Cruz is much warmer than Ketchikan in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Cruz averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 44°F (6°C).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Santa Cruz usually gets less rain in April than Ketchikan. Santa Cruz gets 1 inches (26 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ketchikan and Santa Cruz