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

Should you visit Santa Cruz or Toronto?

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

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Toronto? 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.

Toronto

Toronto is a cultural, diverse, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.

Santa Cruz and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Cruz or Toronto?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toronto than Santa Cruz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toronto is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Santa Cruz is known for its beaches and hiking. Santa Cruz is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Toronto is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also home to the CN Tower.

How is Santa Cruz different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Toronto 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 Toronto that are not to be missed. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

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 Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toronto 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, Toronto makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

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 Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is very popular for nightlife. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Toronto is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

Santa Cruz has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Is Santa Cruz or Toronto Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Toronto is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Santa Cruz attract visitors from all over. 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.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Cruz or Toronto Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around 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.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Cruz or Toronto?

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

Toronto is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

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 Toronto Better for Families?

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

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, Toronto is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

Is Santa Cruz or Toronto Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santa Cruz and Toronto make for a excellent 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.

Toronto makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

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

Toronto 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 Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

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 Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is very popular for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Toronto. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

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

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

Toronto has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

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

Is Santa Cruz or Toronto a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is terrific for its walkability. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Toronto is a very walkable town. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Santa Cruz?

How long in Santa Cruz or Toronto?

Both Santa Cruz and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in Santa Cruz. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Santa Cruz, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto 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 Toronto.

One day in Santa Cruz or Toronto?

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.

When visiting Toronto, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do 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 Toronto?

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.

When visiting Toronto, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Toronto?

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.

Toronto, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. 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 Toronto?

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.

Toronto 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, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Cruz and Toronto, we can see that Toronto 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Cruz or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Santa Cruz and Toronto, 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 Toronto?

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 Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Santa Cruz during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Santa Cruz is around the same temperature as Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Cruz averages around 67°F (19°C) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Santa Cruz usually gets less rain in July than Toronto. Santa Cruz gets 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Cruz and Toronto. Most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Santa Cruz is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Cruz in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In October, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Toronto. Santa Cruz gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Santa Cruz as well as Toronto. The winter months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

It's quite cold in Toronto in the winter. In January, Santa Cruz is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Santa Cruz average around 51°F (10°C), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Santa Cruz usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Santa Cruz gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Santa Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the activities around the city.

Santa Cruz is much warmer than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Cruz averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In April, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Toronto. Santa Cruz gets 1 inches (26 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Santa Cruz