A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tallahassee vs. Santa Barbara for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Tallahassee or Santa Barbara?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tallahassee and Santa Barbara can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tallahassee

Tallahassee is a lively, vibrant, and youthful city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Tallahassee travel costs.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a stunning, wealthy, and opulent coastal town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Many visitors also come to Santa Barbara because of it's amazing beauty. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santa Barbara travel costs.

Tallahassee and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallahassee or Santa Barbara?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Barbara than Tallahassee. While Tallahassee is larger than Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is more touristy than Tallahassee and is popular for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also well known for The Old Mission Santa Barbara. Tallahassee is famous for its capital building and many universities.

How is Tallahassee different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tallahassee or Santa Barbara?

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Santa Barbara and Tallahassee.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Tallahassee. As the capital city of Florida, you'll find a number of museums around town. Tallahassee Museum has outdoor and indoor space to explore. You can also visit the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, the Museum of Florida History, or the Florida Historic Capital Museum.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Santa Barbara. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

Is the Food Better in Tallahassee or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Barbara is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Barbara has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

Tallahassee offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find plenty of chain restaurants and cheap eateries that cater to the students. The main options are classic American restaurants with a few international restaurants mixed in as well.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Tallahassee and Santa Barbara.

If you're looking for night time activities Tallahassee has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the student population. There are many bars and pubs that fill up with students on weekends.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Santa Barbara. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is great for its luxury resorts. However, Tallahassee is not a resort destination.

In Santa Barbara, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

Tallahassee is not a resort destination.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Tallahassee is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Santa Barbara. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Tallahassee is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for the beach. However, Tallahassee is not a beach destination.

Santa Barbara is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

Tallahassee is not a beach destination.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a coastal town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Tallahassee does not have a historic old town.

Santa Barbara has an old town worth visiting. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Tallahassee does not have a historic old town.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for hiking. However, Tallahassee is not a hiking destination.

Around Santa Barbara visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

Tallahassee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallahassee or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Tallahassee is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Santa Barbara specifically to go shopping. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Tallahassee is a great destination for shopping. There is no shortage of strip malls and shopping centers in the area. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at Railroad Square and Market Square.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Barbara More Beautiful?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Tallahassee is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Santa Barbara because of it's amazing beauty. The city is beautifully situated right by the ocean and offers stunning views and and an amazing setting. It is also filled with opulent houses and grand estates, giving it an air of grandeur.

Tallahassee is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Santa Barbara is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tallahassee is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Santa Barbara. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

Tallahassee is a family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of outdoor parks and adventure activities for kids. You could also see the wild manatees at Wakulla Springs.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for couples. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for romance.

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Tallahassee is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Head to a restaurant or bar. You could also check out a concert or explore a garden or park in town.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Barbara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallahassee is a popular place for backpackers. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Tallahassee. The student population creates an environment that is welcoming to backpackers. There's also a hostel in town with affordable rooms.

Santa Barbara is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city isn't really known as a budget friendly destination, but there are a couple of hostels in the area. There's also a large student population with a fun nightlife scene.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

For students, both Tallahassee and Santa Barbara are excellent places to visit.

Students come from all over to stay in Tallahassee. Both Florida State University and Florida A&M University are located here. There's a large student population with many activities and cheap restaurants that appeal to the student crowd.

Many students visit Santa Barbara. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

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

Santa Barbara is a coastal town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Santa Barbara offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Public transit is generally limited in Tallahassee. There is a bus system operated by StarMetro.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is great for its ease of walking around. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its walkability.

Santa Barbara is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

Tallahassee is generally not very walkable. There are a couple of walkable areas around Railroad Square, Downtown, and Midtown, but for the most part the city is not pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Tallahassee Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Tallahassee?

How long in Tallahassee or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tallahassee and Santa Barbara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santa Barbara than in Tallahassee. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Tallahassee, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Tallahassee 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 Barbara.

One day in Tallahassee or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the vibrant destination of Tallahassee. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the affluent coastal town of Santa Barbara. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Tallahassee or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tallahassee. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the affluent destination of Santa Barbara. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Tallahassee or Santa Barbara?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the youthful destination of Tallahassee. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 stunning coastal town of Santa Barbara offers shopping and museums. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Tallahassee or Santa Barbara?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Tallahassee. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Barbara. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Tallahassee and Santa Barbara, we can see that Santa Barbara 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 Tallahassee Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tallahassee or Santa Barbara?

Tallahassee has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Tallahassee and Santa Barbara, 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 Tallahassee or Santa Barbara?

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 Tallahassee or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

Both Santa Barbara and Tallahassee during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tallahassee for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tallahassee is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the summer. The daily temperature in Tallahassee averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tallahassee. Tallahassee usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Tallahassee gets 8.9 inches (227 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallahassee or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallahassee and Santa Barbara. Many visitors come to Tallahassee in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Tallahassee is a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tallahassee in October average around 69°F (20°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Tallahassee usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Tallahassee gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Tallahassee is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Tallahassee or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tallahassee as well as Santa Barbara. Most visitors come to Tallahassee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Tallahassee is generally around the same temperature as Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Tallahassee average around 51°F (11°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Tallahassee usually gets more rain in January than Santa Barbara. Tallahassee gets 3.7 inches (95 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallahassee or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

Both Santa Barbara and Tallahassee are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

Tallahassee is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the spring. The daily temperature in Tallahassee averages around 67°F (19°C) in April, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite rainy in Tallahassee. In April, Tallahassee usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Tallahassee gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Tallahassee is June to November.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Tallahassee