A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Savannah vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Should I visit Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea? 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.

Savannah

Savannah is a historic, beautiful, and charming city. Savannah offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Savannah travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Savannah and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Savannah than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Savannah is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and historical sights, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Savannah and is known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. Savannah is well known for its maritime past, its southern atmosphere, and its Historic District. Also, Savannah is famous for Forsyth Park.

How is Savannah different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Savannah. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Savannah is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Savannah. The city's long history can be explored at the Savannah History Museum. With the Savannah School of Art and Design in town, you'll also find a great art culture with several museums such as the SCAD Museum of Art and the Jepson Center for the Arts. There's also the Georgia State Railroad Museum and the Sea Maritime Museum. There are several historic houses that you can visit as well, such as the Andrew Low House, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, and Harper Fowlkes House.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Savannah and Carmel-by-the-Sea can be difficult as they are each excellent in their own way.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Savannah makes for a great culinary experience. Local restaurants highlight southern hospitality as well as the cuisine. You'll find many classics such as crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and fried fish. There are many restaurants in historic buildings in the Historic District, but you'll also find a number of casual eateries in other neighborhoods.

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a huge number of terrific restaurants. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

Is Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Savannah is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Savannah offers plenty to do in the evening. Downtown Savannah and River Street are filled with bars and clubs that keep things lively when the sun goes down. During the warmer months there are outdoor venues, concerts and events, but even during the cooler seasons things stay busy.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beach.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is considered a top beach destination. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Many people head to Savannah to enjoy the beach. While Savannah doesn't actually have a beach, you can head to nearby Tybee Island for waves and sun. It's about half an hour away and the closest beaches to the city are on the island's north side.

Is Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for its Old Town?

Savannah is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Savannah is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. There's an impressive Historic District that is filled with gardens, historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and Oak-lined streets. There are wonderful hotels and traditional restaurants that offer a beautiful experience.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Both Savannah and Carmel-by-the-Sea are excellent shopping destinations.

Savannah is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Shopping opportunities include art galleries, trendy clothing boutiques, and larger shopping malls. Visitors can wander down the popular Broughton Street, but there's also a City Market and Starland District.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well-known for its shopping. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Is Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its scenery and beauty.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Savannah is a beautiful place to visit, too. The city is filled with historic buildings and streets lined with trees draped in Spanish Moss.

Is Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Savannah is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Savannah is a family-friendly place to visit. There's a children's museum in town. There's also many outdoor parks and the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. Kids will enjoy stopping for ice cream or other sweet treats, which are plentiful as well.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Savannah and Carmel-by-the-Sea make for a excellent place to visit.

Savannah is a very popular place to visit for couples. Trees with Spanish Moss as well as a charming Historic District make this a nice destination for a couple's weekend. There are parks where you can enjoy a picnic. There are also nature trails and many great southern restaurants.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Is Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Savannah is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Savannah is a good city to visit for backpackers. There's a hostel in town, as well as a number of cheaper motels that are a bit outside of the Historic District.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any real hostels or accommodation options that appeal to backpackers.

Is Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

Savannah is a city with good options for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Savannah is a good city to visit for students. There are a couple of colleges in town including the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Is Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Savannah and Carmel-by-the-Sea offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Savannah. While there are some types of public transit available, the vast majority of visitors have a vehicle, which they use to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Savannah and Carmel-by-the-Sea both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Savannah is very walkable. The Historic District is very walkable, and it makes a pleasant place to explore on foot.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable city. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

For even more information, also check out Is Savannah Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Savannah?

How long in Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Savannah and Carmel-by-the-Sea. In our opinion, Savannah has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Savannah than Carmel-by-the-Sea. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Savannah than Carmel-by-the-Sea. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Savannah that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Savannah than Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Savannah.

One day in Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Savannah, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town where visitors enjoy the 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 Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the charming city of Savannah, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Savannah. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Savannah is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Savannah Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Savannah has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Savannah and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Savannah are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Savannah in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Savannah is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Savannah average around 82°F (28°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Savannah. In July, Savannah usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Savannah gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Savannah during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Savannah for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Savannah is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in Savannah averages around 68°F (20°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Savannah usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Savannah gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Savannah and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The winter months attract visitors to Savannah because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In the winter, Savannah is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in Savannah in January average around 49°F (9°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In January, Savannah usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Savannah or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Savannah as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Savannah this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Savannah is generally a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Savannah average around 66°F (19°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Savannah usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Savannah