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

Should you visit Santa Monica or Montreal?

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

Should I visit Santa Monica or Montreal? 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 energetic, active, and lively town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Montreal

Montreal is a vibrant, colorful, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums. See Montreal travel costs.

Santa Monica and Montreal: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Monica or Montreal?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Montreal than Santa Monica, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Montreal is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Santa Monica is known for its beaches. Santa Monica is more touristy than Montreal and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Montreal is popular for its music, fashion, and cultural activities. It is also home to Notre-Dame Basilica.

How is Santa Monica different from Montreal?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Montreal is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Montreal are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with world-class museums and historic sites such as Notre-Dame Basilica, St. Joseph's Oratory, the Biosphere, and the Fine Arts Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Monica. 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.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Santa Monica and Montreal can be difficult as they are each great 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.

Montreal has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are both local and international restaurants that serve up excellent dishes. Some of the local recipes that you should try include tourtiere (a meat pie), a smoked meat sandwich, and, of course, poutine.

Is Santa Monica or Montreal Better for Nightlife?

Montreal is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Montreal has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city's nightlife scene is centered around its live music scene, which is excellent. There are also many bars and clubs, as well as a young population that keep evenings lively.

Santa Monica has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Is Santa Monica or Montreal Better for Music?

Montreal is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Santa Monica is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Montreal The music scene is thriving and world class. One of the most unique aspects of the city's music scene is its impromptu nature. You'll find many talented street performers and you'll likely stumble into many high quality performers. There's also a great indie scene as well as hip hop, classical, jazz, and heavy metal at the many live music venues.

Santa Monica is not a live music destination.

Is Santa Monica or Montreal Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is terrific for the beach. However, Montreal is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Santa Monica is a very popular vacation destination. 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.

Montreal is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Monica or Montreal Better for its Old Town?

Montreal is notable for its old town. However, Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Montreal. Vieux-Montreal is the historic part of the city, and it's filled with cobblestone streets and historic buildings. This is also where you'll find the Old Port, which has a waterfront promenade.

Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Monica or Montreal?

Montreal is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Montreal make it a world-class shopping destination. It's known for its fashion scene and there are many independent and local vendors around town. Bonsecours Market is both historic and fascinating, but also make sure you check out Mont-Royal Avenue, which is the main shopping and dining street in town.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santa Monica. 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.

Is Santa Monica or Montreal Better for Families?

Santa Monica is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Montreal is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Santa Monica is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Montreal is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids and teens will love the many science museums, parks and gardens, and the nearby La Ronde Amusement Park. If your kids are music lovers, there are many talented street performers in the city that will entertain the young and old alike.

Is Santa Monica or Montreal Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santa Monica and Montreal make for a great place to visit.

Santa Monica is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Montreal makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with romance, from the world class music scene to the romantic restaurants and sunset river cruises. If you're in town during the fall months, check out the Botanical Gardens, which come to life with the annual Gardens of Light.

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

Both Santa Monica and Montreal are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Monica. 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.

Montreal is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a decent number of hostels as well as a great nightlife scene and plenty of younger visitors looking to meet other travelers.

Is Santa Monica or Montreal Better for Students?

Montreal is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Montreal. It's regularly ranked as one of the top cities in North America for students. There are many students around town, a great nightlife scene, and plenty of opportunities to receive a world-class education.

Santa Monica is not popular with students.

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

Both Santa Monica and Montreal offer great public transit options.

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.

The public transit in Montreal can get you to most places easily. There's an efficient and reliable metro and bus system.

Is Santa Monica or Montreal a more walkable city?

Santa Monica and Montreal both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Montreal is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable, particularly in the areas that are popular with tourists.

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

Should I spend more time in Montreal or Santa Monica?

How long in Santa Monica or Montreal?

In either Santa Monica or Montreal, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Montreal 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 3-5 days is enough time in Montreal.

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

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

One day in Santa Monica or Montreal?

The town of Santa Monica offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Each neighborhood in Montreal has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Montreal?

Santa Monica is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Monica, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Montreal is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Santa Monica or Montreal?

Santa Monica is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Each neighborhood in Montreal has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Montreal?

Santa Monica is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Montreal is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Santa Monica and Montreal, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Monica Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Monica or Montreal?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Santa Monica and Montreal, 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 Monica or Montreal?

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 Monica or Montreal in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santa Monica as well as Montreal. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Montreal for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Santa Monica is around the same temperature as Montreal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santa Monica in July average around 70°F (21°C), and Montreal averages at about 21°C (69°F).

Santa Monica usually gets less rain in July than Montreal. Santa Monica gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Monica or Montreal in the Autumn?

Both Montreal and Santa Monica are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Montreal in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Santa Monica is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Santa Monica average around 67°F (20°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In October, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Montreal. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Monica or Montreal in the Winter?

Both Montreal and Santa Monica during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Santa Monica in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Montreal for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Montreal can be very cold during winter. Santa Monica is much warmer than Montreal in the winter. The daily temperature in Santa Monica averages around 57°F (14°C) in January, and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Santa Monica usually gets less rain in January than Montreal. Santa Monica gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Monica or Montreal in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Monica and Montreal. Most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Montreal because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Santa Monica is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santa Monica in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Montreal averages at about 6°C (43°F).

In April, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Montreal. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montreal and Santa Monica