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

Should you visit Santa Cruz or Quebec City?

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

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Quebec City? 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.

Quebec City

Quebec City is a historical, cultural, and charming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Quebec City is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Quebec City travel costs.

Santa Cruz and Quebec City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Cruz or Quebec City?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Quebec City than Santa Cruz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Quebec City is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Santa Cruz is known for its beaches and hiking. Santa Cruz is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Quebec City is popular for its charming streets and classic Old Town. It is also home to Château Frontenac.

How is Santa Cruz different from Quebec City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Quebec City 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 Quebec City that are not to be missed. Historic sites include La Citadelle de Québec and Quebec National Historic Site. There are many iconic buildings in town as well like the Parliament Building and Château Frontenac. Also make sure you visit the Musée de la Civilisation and the stunning Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

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 Quebec City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Quebec City 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, Quebec City is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city offers a mix of Canadian favorites and French dishes with a local twist. Favorite dishes that you must try include tourtières, pâté chinois, pea soup, and fèves au lard. There are also many local desserts to sample. You'll find some of the best French Canadian cuisine in the Old Town.

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 Quebec City Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are very good in both Santa Cruz and Quebec City.

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.

Quebec City has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene consists mainly of bars and pubs that you'll find along Rue Saint-Jean and in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighborhood. You'll also find clubs in Saint-Roch along Rue du Parvis and Avenue Saint-Joseph.

Is Santa Cruz or Quebec City Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a great destination for its beaches. However, Quebec City is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Santa Cruz. 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.

Quebec City is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Cruz or Quebec City Better for its Old Town?

Quebec City is very popular for its historic old town. However, Santa Cruz does not have a historic old town.

Quebec City has a world-famous historical area. The walled Old Town has fortifications that date back to the 17th century. It has a European charm with cobblestone streets, charming restaurants, beautiful squares, and historic architecture. Many visitors feel like they've stepped into old world Europe.

Santa Cruz does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Cruz or Quebec City Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Quebec City is not a hiking destination.

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

Quebec City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Cruz or Quebec City?

Quebec City is very popular for shopping. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Quebec City is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The Old Town has many local boutiques and artisan shops that are fun for browsing. There are many shopping streets in town like Petit-Champlain Street, Rue Saint-Joseph, and Avenue Cartier.

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 Quebec City More Beautiful?

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

Quebec City is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The European atmosphere gives the city a unique beauty with architecture and cobblestone streets that create a fairytale setting.

Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Santa Cruz or Quebec City Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Santa Cruz or Quebec City.

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, Quebec City is very family-friendly. There are tons of kid-friendly activities like visiting the Aquarium du Québec, having an adventure at Terrasse Dufferin, or exploring Chute de Montmorency.

Is Santa Cruz or Quebec City Better for Couples?

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

Quebec City makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's one of the most European city's in North America, and it's filled with romance. Couples can enjoy exploring the Old Town by carriage or taking a boat ride on the Saint Lawrence River. For a truly romantic evening, enjoy a French meal at the famous Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, but for many couples, simply exploring and soaking up the city's charm offers the simple romance that they're looking for.

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 Quebec City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Quebec City 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 Quebec City. There are a decent number of hostels around town and backpackers consider this a favorite destination in the area.

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 Quebec City Better for Students?

Quebec City is a popular place for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Quebec City is a good city to visit for students. It's a beautiful and charming city that is fun for international students.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

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

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

Quebec City has a few public transit options. There are buses and ferries around town.

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

Is Santa Cruz or Quebec City a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz and Quebec City both are fantastic when exploring on foot.

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

It's very easy to get around on foot in Quebec City. The Old Town is compact and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Quebec City or Santa Cruz?

How long in Santa Cruz or Quebec City?

It's fun to spend time in either Santa Cruz or Quebec City. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Quebec City due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Santa Cruz, and 2-4 days is enough time in Quebec City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Quebec City 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 Quebec City.

One day in Santa Cruz or Quebec City?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal town of Santa Cruz. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With museums and nightlife around the charming city of Quebec City, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Santa Cruz or Quebec City?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the coastal destination of Santa Cruz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Quebec City, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 city.

Five days in Santa Cruz or Quebec City?

The scenic town of Santa Cruz offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Quebec City, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Quebec City?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Cruz. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Quebec City 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Santa Cruz and Quebec City, 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 Quebec City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Cruz or Quebec City?

Quebec City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Santa Cruz and Quebec City, 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.