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

Should you visit Santa Monica or Ottawa?

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

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

Ottawa

Ottawa is a friendly, welcoming, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Ottawa travel costs.

Santa Monica and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Monica or Ottawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Monica than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Santa Monica, Santa Monica has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Monica is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Ottawa is known for its museums and attractions. Santa Monica is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also home to the Santa Monica Pier. Ottawa is popular for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Santa Monica different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ottawa is notable 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.

Ottawa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War 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 Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Santa Monica has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Ottawa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Is Santa Monica or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Santa Monica has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Ottawa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

Is Santa Monica or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Monica or Ottawa?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

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.

Ottawa is a great destination for shopping. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is Santa Monica or Ottawa Better for Families?

Santa Monica is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-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 kid-friendly things to do in Ottawa. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

Is Santa Monica or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for couples. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

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

Both Santa Monica and Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is Santa Monica or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a popular place for students. However, Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Ottawa is a good city to visit for students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Santa Monica is not popular with students.

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

Santa Monica is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Santa Monica can get you to most places easily. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Ottawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is Santa Monica or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Ottawa is somewhat walkable. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Santa Monica?

How long in Santa Monica or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santa Monica and Ottawa. In our opinion, Santa Monica has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Santa Monica than Ottawa. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Santa Monica, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

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

One day in Santa Monica or Ottawa?

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

In Ottawa, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this welcoming city offers. 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 Ottawa?

Santa Monica is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Ottawa is a fun place to experience. 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 Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Monica. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the welcoming destination of Ottawa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Santa Monica or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the funfilled destination of Santa Monica. 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.

Ottawa is a popular place to visit. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Monica and Ottawa, we can see that Santa Monica is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ottawa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ottawa 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 Ottawa.

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 Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Monica or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Santa Monica and Ottawa, 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 Ottawa?

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 Ottawa in the Summer?

Both Ottawa and Santa Monica during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In the summer, Santa Monica is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santa Monica in July average around 70°F (21°C), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).

Santa Monica usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Santa Monica gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Monica or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Monica and Ottawa. The shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ottawa for the shopping scene.

In October, Santa Monica is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Santa Monica average around 67°F (20°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In October, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Monica or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Santa Monica as well as Ottawa. Many travelers come to Santa Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Ottawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

Santa Monica usually gets less rain in January than Ottawa. Santa Monica gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Monica or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Santa Monica are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Santa Monica in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Santa Monica is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santa Monica in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

In April, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Santa Monica