A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santa Monica vs. Banff for Families, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Santa Monica or Banff?

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

Should I visit Santa Monica or Banff? 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 Monica

Santa Monica is a active, lively, and funfilled town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Banff

Banff is a scenic, outdoorsy, and sporty town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. The beauty of Banff is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Banff travel costs.

Santa Monica and Banff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Monica or Banff?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Monica than Banff, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Monica is better known for its museums and attractions, beaches, and shopping, while Banff is more popular for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Santa Monica is more touristy than Banff and is known for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier. Banff is well known for its stunning beauty, pristine nature, and nearby lakes.

How is Santa Monica different from Banff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Banff and Santa Monica. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Santa Monica or Banff Better for Skiing?

Banff is an amazing town to visit for snow skiing. However, Santa Monica is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Banff should be on your list. The town makes a great base for experiencing the three nearby ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, The Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt Norquay. You can purchase a SkiBig3 Lift Ticket and experience the area's best skiing. There's a long ski season and a stunning setting within the Canadian Rockies.

Santa Monica is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santa Monica or Banff?

Santa Monica is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Santa Monica offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History Museum.

Banff does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Santa Monica or Banff? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Santa Monica and Banff can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Santa Monica. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.

Banff has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The downtown has bistros, taverns, and many casual eateries. For a more fine dining experience, you can go to one of the luxury hotels, which have nice dining areas. Throughout town you'll find classic Canadian food like poutine, as well as pizza and bar food.

Is Santa Monica or Banff Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are high quality in both Santa Monica and Banff.

Santa Monica has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.

Banff has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a great town for partying and it's compact and easy to barhop if you want. For the town's size, you'll find a huge number of bars and breweries to choose from, and there's always something going on.

Is Santa Monica or Banff Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Banff is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Santa Monica. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.

Banff is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Monica or Banff Better for Hiking?

Banff is an amazing town to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

People visit Banff specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The town is set within Banff National Park, and is surrounded by world class hiking. There are more than 1,000 miles of trails that wander alongside rivers, lead to waterfalls, or climb mountain peaks. You may also see local wildlife.

Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Monica or Banff?

Santa Monica is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Santa Monica is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.

Banff has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are tons of downtown shops that sell local items, art, sports gear, or clothing.

Is Santa Monica or Banff More Beautiful?

Banff is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Santa Monica is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Banff is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The dramatic Rocky Mountains and stunning natural beauty make this an iconic and beautiful destination.

Santa Monica is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Santa Monica or Banff Better for Families?

Santa Monica is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Santa Monica is a very family-friendly destination. Many families spend their days hanging out on the beaches, soaking up the sun, and even trying to surf. There's a boardwalk as well as bike paths that are perfect for people watching. You should also check out the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which is a thrilling amusement park.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Banff. Kids will enjoy the low key hikes like Tunnel Mountain hike. There's also the Banff Gondola and several playgrounds in downtown Banff. For adventure activities, check out the Golden Skybridge or Lake Louise.

Is Santa Monica or Banff Better for Couples?

Banff is an amazing town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Banff makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a beautiful destination for a honeymoon or anniversary trip. There are countless hikes and stunning natural beauty. There are also spas, horseback riding, and many great restaurants.

Santa Monica makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fun days on the beach, peaceful walks at sunset, and a wild nightlife scene make this the perfect couples destination for couples who enjoy activity and excitement.

Is Santa Monica or Banff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Banff is notable for backpackers. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Banff is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of natural beauty that appeals to backpackers.

Santa Monica is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of activities in the area, whether you're into surfing, partying, or sunbathing. There's also at least one hostel that's great for budget travelers and backpackers.

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

Santa Monica is notable for its public transit. Also, Banff is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Santa Monica has some very good public transit options. The Metro E Line connects the city to downtown Los Angeles. There's also the Big Blue Bus as well the Santa Monica Circuit, which are small electric carts that offer free rides between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street.

Banff has some public transit options. There's a bus system, Roam, that connects the towns of Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise.

Is Santa Monica or Banff a more walkable city?

Santa Monica and Banff both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Santa Monica is a very walkable town. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

Banff is a very walkable destination. The downtown is very walkable and there are trailheads nearby as well.

For even more information, also check out Is Santa Monica Worth Visiting? and Is Banff Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Banff or Santa Monica?

How long in Santa Monica or Banff?

In either Santa Monica or Banff, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Banff than Santa Monica because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Santa Monica, and 2-5 days is enough time in Banff.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Banff than Santa Monica 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 Banff.

One day in Santa Monica or Banff?

In Santa Monica, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this energetic destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the beaches. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Banff is a small town where visitors enjoy the nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Santa Monica or Banff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Monica. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Banff is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Santa Monica or Banff?

Santa Monica is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Santa Monica. Lots of people come for the beaches. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Banff might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Santa Monica or Banff?

You'll find food and shopping around the active destination of Santa Monica. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Banff is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santa Monica Expensive? and Is Banff Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Monica or Banff?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Santa Monica and Banff, 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.