A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sarasota vs. Santa Cruz for Families, Attractions, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Sarasota or Santa Cruz?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Sarasota and Santa Cruz. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a underrated, relaxing, and entertaining city. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums. See Sarasota travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a scenic, laid back, and coastal town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Sarasota and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Santa Cruz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz. Although Sarasota and Santa Cruz are roughly the same size, Santa Cruz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Cruz is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Sarasota attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and resorts. Sarasota is famous for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Santa Cruz is famous for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also well known for Santa Cruz Wharf.

How is Sarasota different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sarasota or Santa Cruz?

Sarasota is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Sarasota offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Sarasota and Santa Cruz.

Sarasota has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Santa Cruz area. 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.

Is Sarasota or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Santa Cruz for the nightlife scene. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

Is Sarasota or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a popular place for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Sarasota has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is great for the beach. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

Many people visit Santa Cruz for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Sarasota is a good option for a beach vacation. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Is Sarasota or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a good destination for hiking. However, Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz offers some nice hiking trails. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Santa Cruz?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Santa Cruz both offer plenty of nice spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sarasota. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

Many visitors go to Santa Cruz to go shopping. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Sarasota or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Sarasota is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santa Cruz 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, Sarasota is a very family-friendly destination. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Cruz is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Sarasota or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is great for its romantic activities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Santa Cruz is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Sarasota is a good city for couples to visit. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

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

Santa Cruz is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Sarasota is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are budget friendly places to stay, but there isn't a large backpacker or young crowd hanging around.

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

Sarasota and Santa Cruz both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

Public transit is generally limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Sarasota or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is renowned for its high level of walkability. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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

Sarasota is generally not very walkable. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sarasota or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sarasota than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the entertaining city of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Santa Cruz 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.

A weekend in Sarasota or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Santa Cruz 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 Cruz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Santa Cruz?

Sarasota, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Santa Cruz is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

A week in Sarasota or Santa Cruz?

Sarasota 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.

Santa Cruz is a great place to explore. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Santa Cruz, 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 Sarasota or Santa Cruz?

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 Sarasota or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Sarasota during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 82°F (28°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Santa Cruz. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Sarasota is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Should I visit Sarasota or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Santa Cruz. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Sarasota is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

Sarasota usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches.

In April, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Sarasota