A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santa Cruz vs. Vernon for Nightlife, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Santa Cruz or Vernon?

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

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Vernon? 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. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a peaceful, relaxing, and quiet town. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping. See Vernon travel costs.

Santa Cruz and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Cruz or Vernon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz than Vernon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Cruz is better known for its nightlife and beaches, while Vernon is more popular for its hiking. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Vernon and is known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is famous for Santa Cruz Wharf. Vernon is well known for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Santa Cruz different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Santa Cruz and Vernon 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.

Vernon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

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

Both Santa Cruz and Vernon 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.

Vernon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Santa Cruz or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

Santa Cruz offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Santa Cruz or Vernon Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for the beach. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Cruz or Vernon Better for Hiking?

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

Vernon is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

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 Vernon?

Both Santa Cruz and Vernon 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 Vernon. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Santa Cruz or Vernon Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Cruz is known to be 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.

Vernon is a family-friendly town. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Santa Cruz or Vernon Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is a well-known place for couples. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

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.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

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

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Vernon is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Vernon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel in town, but this isn't a popular destination for backpackers.

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

Both Santa Cruz and Vernon 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 Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Santa Cruz or Vernon a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is terrific for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

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

Vernon is generally not a very walkable town. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Santa Cruz?

How long in Santa Cruz or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santa Cruz and Vernon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Vernon 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 Vernon.

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Vernon. 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 Vernon. 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 Vernon 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 Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Santa Cruz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With museums and food around the peaceful town of Vernon, 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 Vernon, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Santa Cruz or Vernon?

Santa Cruz is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With food and shopping around the destination of Vernon, 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 Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Cruz. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vernon, 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 Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Santa Cruz. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Vernon 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

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

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 Vernon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Cruz or Vernon?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Santa Cruz and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

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 Vernon in the Summer?

Both Vernon and Santa Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Vernon in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Santa Cruz is generally cooler than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Santa Cruz average around 67°F (19°C), and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Santa Cruz usually receives less rain than Vernon. Santa Cruz gets 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Vernon in the Autumn?

Both Vernon and Santa Cruz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Vernon for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Santa Cruz is much warmer than Vernon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Cruz averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Vernon fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Santa Cruz usually gets more rain in October than Vernon. Santa Cruz gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Vernon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Cruz and Vernon. Most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Vernon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vernon can be very cold. In the winter, Santa Cruz is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Cruz in January average around 51°F (10°C), and Vernon averages at about -3°C (27°F).

In January, Santa Cruz usually receives more rain than Vernon. Santa Cruz gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Santa Cruz or Vernon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santa Cruz as well as Vernon. The spring months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches.

In April, Santa Cruz is generally a little warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Santa Cruz average around 58°F (14°C), and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Santa Cruz usually gets more rain in April than Vernon. Santa Cruz gets 1 inches (26 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Santa Cruz