A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santa Cruz vs. Moncton for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Santa Cruz or Moncton?

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

Should I visit Santa Cruz 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 Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Moncton

Moncton is a quaint, compact, and cultural city. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Moncton travel costs.

Santa Cruz and Moncton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Cruz or Moncton?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Cruz than Moncton. While Moncton is larger than Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Moncton and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is famous for Santa Cruz Wharf. Moncton is well known for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities.

How is Santa Cruz different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Santa Cruz and Moncton have notable 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.

Moncton offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Cruz or Moncton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Santa Cruz and Moncton offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Cruz offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Moncton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Cruz or Moncton Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Santa Cruz for the nightlife scene. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

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 Cruz or Moncton Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is great for the beach. However, Moncton is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Santa Cruz for it's beautiful 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.

Moncton is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Cruz or Moncton Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a good destination for hiking. However, Moncton is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz offers some nice hiking trails. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Moncton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Cruz or Moncton?

Both Santa Cruz and Moncton are notable 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 Moncton. 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 Cruz or Moncton Better for Families?

Santa Cruz 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 Cruz. 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.

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 Cruz or Moncton Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is great for couples. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Santa Cruz is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

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 Cruz or Moncton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Moncton is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Moncton is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there is a hostel in town, this is little more than a stopover for most backpackers.

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

Both Santa Cruz and Moncton offer respectable public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Santa Cruz or Moncton a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

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 Cruz Worth Visiting? and Is Moncton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Moncton or Santa Cruz?

How long in Santa Cruz or Moncton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Santa Cruz or Moncton to fill your time. In our opinion, Santa Cruz has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Santa Cruz than Moncton. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Moncton. 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 Moncton. 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 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 Cruz.

One day in Santa Cruz or Moncton?

In Santa Cruz, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With museums and food around the cultural city of Moncton, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Moncton, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Santa Cruz or Moncton?

In Santa Cruz, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Cruz has to offer.

With food and shopping around the destination of Moncton, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Santa Cruz or Moncton?

Santa Cruz is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Moncton, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Moncton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Cruz. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Moncton 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, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Santa Cruz and Moncton, we can see that Santa Cruz is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Moncton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Cruz or Moncton?

Moncton has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Santa Cruz 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 Cruz 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 Cruz or Moncton in the Summer?

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

In July, Santa Cruz is generally around the same temperature as Moncton. Daily temperatures in Santa Cruz average around 67°F (19°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. Santa Cruz usually gets less rain in July than Moncton. Santa Cruz gets 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Moncton in the Autumn?

Both Moncton and Santa Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Moncton this time of year.

Santa Cruz is much warmer than Moncton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Cruz averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Moncton fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. In October, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Moncton. Santa Cruz gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Moncton in the Winter?

Both Moncton and Santa Cruz during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Moncton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Moncton. In the winter, Santa Cruz is much warmer than Moncton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Cruz in January average around 51°F (10°C), and Moncton averages at about -8°C (17°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santa Cruz usually gets less rain in January than Moncton. Santa Cruz gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Moncton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Cruz and Moncton. Many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches.

Moncton can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Santa Cruz is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Santa Cruz average around 58°F (14°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Moncton. Santa Cruz gets 1 inches (26 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Moncton and Santa Cruz