A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sedona vs. Santa Monica for Families, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sedona or Santa Monica?

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

Should I visit Sedona or Santa Monica? 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.

Sedona

Sedona is a desert, dramatic, and scenic town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty in Sedona as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Sedona travel costs.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a energetic, active, and lively town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Santa Monica travel costs.

Sedona and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sedona or Santa Monica?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Monica than Sedona, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Monica is better known for its nightlife and beaches, while Sedona is more popular for its resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Santa Monica is more touristy than Sedona and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier. Sedona is well known for its stargazing, desert setting, and yoga retreats.

How is Sedona different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sedona and Santa Monica.

Sedona offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Sedona Heritage Museum offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the area. There are also many galleries around town.

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 Sedona or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Sedona and Santa Monica can be an enjoyable experience.

Sedona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's grown into a foodie destination with local restaurants that pride themselves on using local ingredients. Mexican food is common but you'll also find cafes, classic American food, and other international options.

Dining out in Santa Monica is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Sedona or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Sedona is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Santa Monica for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sedona. There are bars, live music venues, and even a casino in town. Breweries are popular and there are also upscale wine bars.

Is Sedona or Santa Monica Better for Resorts?

Sedona is notable for its resorts. However, Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Sedona is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Upscale resorts with spas, pools, and other amenities offer the perfect backdrop for a desert vacation.

Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Is Sedona or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Sedona 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.

Sedona is not a beach destination.

Is Sedona or Santa Monica Better for its Old Town?

Sedona is a popular place for its old town. However, Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Sedona to see the old town. Traditional architecture and historic charm give downtown Sedona a lot of character.

Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Is Sedona or Santa Monica Better for Hiking?

Sedona is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Sedona is a popular spot for hiking. It's red rock cliffs offer the perfect setting for dramatic hikes and breathtaking views. The colors are most impressive at sunrise and sunset and some of the most famous landmarks include Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon.

Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sedona or Santa Monica?

Sedona is an amazing town 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 Sedona make it a world-class shopping destination. It's filled with local artisan shops and art galleries that highlight the region's beauty. Head to Uptown Sedona for some of the best boutiques. You should also check out the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, the Sedona Art Center, and Hozho Distinctive Shops and Galleries.

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 Sedona or Santa Monica More Beautiful?

Sedona is an amazing town to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Santa Monica is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Sedona as well. The surrounded countryside is filled with dramatic desert landscapes and striking red cliffs.

Santa Monica is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sedona or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sedona is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Sedona is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are impressive parks and fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Head to Slide Rock State Park where your kids can enjoy a natural waterslide. There's also the Out of Africa Wildlife Zoo as well as a canyon railroad.

Is Sedona or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Sedona is an amazing town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Sedona makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Stargazing in the evening or picnicking in a park during the day. There are countless romantic activities that couples can enjoy. The area is filled with striking natural beauty that is at its best during sunset. Couples will also enjoy fine dining and a variety of outdoor activities.

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.

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

For backpackers, both Sedona and Santa Monica are notable places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Sedona. You'll find campgrounds, RV parks, and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

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

Santa Monica is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Sedona is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit in Santa Monica can get you to some 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Sedona. Verde Shuttle offers shuttle routes through town.

Is Sedona or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Sedona is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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

Sedona is a somewhat walkable town. If you stay in Uptown Sedona, then the area is walkable, but if you're planning to stay further away then you'll need to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Sedona?

How long in Sedona or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sedona and Santa Monica. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sedona than in Santa Monica. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Sedona, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Sedona. 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 Sedona than Santa Monica. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sedona 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 Sedona 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 Sedona or Santa Monica?

Sedona is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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.

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.

A weekend in Sedona or Santa Monica?

Sedona is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the shopping. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

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.

Five days in Sedona or Santa Monica?

Sedona might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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.

A week in Sedona or Santa Monica?

Sedona is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the energetic 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sedona or Santa Monica?

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