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

Should you visit Santa Monica or Toronto?

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

Should I visit Santa Monica 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 Monica

Santa Monica is a lively, funfilled, and energetic town. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a diverse, vibrant, 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 nightlife, food, and shopping. See Toronto travel costs.

Santa Monica and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Monica or Toronto?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toronto than Santa Monica. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toronto is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Santa Monica attracts visitors for its beaches. Santa Monica is more touristy than Toronto and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Toronto is famous for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also well known for the CN Tower.

How is Santa Monica different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Toronto 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 Toronto are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

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 Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Toronto has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Santa Monica or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto 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.

Toronto has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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 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 Toronto Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is terrific for its beaches. However, Toronto is not a beach destination.

Santa Monica is considered to be a world-class beach 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.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Monica or Toronto?

Toronto 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 Toronto make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

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 Toronto Better for Families?

Santa Monica is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Santa Monica is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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.

Toronto is a very kid-friendly town. 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 Monica or Toronto Better for Couples?

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

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 Monica or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Toronto is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of 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 Toronto Better for Students?

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

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

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

Public transit in Toronto is top-notch. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

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.

Is Santa Monica or Toronto a more walkable city?

Santa Monica and Toronto both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Toronto is a very walkable destination. 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 Monica Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Santa Monica?

How long in Santa Monica or Toronto?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Santa Monica, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Toronto. 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 Toronto than Santa Monica. 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 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 Toronto.

One day in Santa Monica or Toronto?

In Santa Monica, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. 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.

Each neighborhood in Toronto has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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 Toronto?

In Santa Monica, 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. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Monica has to offer.

Toronto is a fun place to experience. 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 Toronto?

Santa Monica 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.

Each neighborhood in Toronto has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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 Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Monica. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Monica. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. 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 to visit. Many people spend one week here. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Santa Monica or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Santa Monica 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 Monica 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 Monica or Toronto in the Summer?

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

In July, Santa Monica is generally around the same temperature as Toronto. Daily temperatures in Santa Monica average around 70°F (21°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Santa Monica usually gets less rain in July than Toronto. Santa Monica gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Monica or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Monica and Toronto. Most visitors come to Santa Monica for 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.

Santa Monica is much warmer than Toronto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Monica averages around 67°F (20°C) in October, and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Toronto. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Monica or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Santa Monica as well as Toronto. The winter months attract visitors to Santa Monica 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 the winter, Santa Monica is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Monica in January average around 57°F (14°C), and Toronto averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Santa Monica usually gets less rain in January than Toronto. Santa Monica gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Monica or Toronto in the Spring?

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

In April, Santa Monica is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Santa Monica average around 61°F (16°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In April, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Toronto. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Santa Monica