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

Should you visit Tallahassee or Santa Cruz?

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 Cruz 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 vibrant, youthful, and lively city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Tallahassee travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Tallahassee and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallahassee or Santa Cruz?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Cruz than Tallahassee. While Tallahassee is larger than Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Cruz is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Tallahassee is more popular for its museums and attractions. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Tallahassee and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is famous for Santa Cruz Wharf. Tallahassee is well known for its capital building and many universities.

How is Tallahassee different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tallahassee 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.

Tallahassee offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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 Tallahassee or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Cruz is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

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 Cruz Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Tallahassee. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the student population. There are many bars and pubs that fill up with students on weekends.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is great for the beach. However, Tallahassee is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Santa Cruz attract visitors from all over. 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.

Tallahassee is not a beach destination.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a town with good options for hiking. However, Tallahassee is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Tallahassee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallahassee or Santa Cruz?

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

Tallahassee has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Santa Cruz is a great destination for shopping. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz 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 Cruz. 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.

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 Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is great for couples. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for romance.

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.

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 Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tallahassee and Santa Cruz are notable places to visit.

Tallahassee is a good city to visit for backpackers. The student population creates an environment that is welcoming to backpackers. There's also a hostel in town with affordable rooms.

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.

Is Tallahassee or Santa Cruz Better for Students?

Tallahassee is notable for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Tallahassee is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

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

Tallahassee and Santa Cruz both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

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

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

Is Tallahassee or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its walkability.

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.

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 Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Tallahassee?

How long in Tallahassee or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Tallahassee or Santa Cruz to fill your time. In our opinion, Santa Cruz has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santa Cruz than Tallahassee. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Tallahassee. 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 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 Cruz.

One day in Tallahassee or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the lively city of Tallahassee, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tallahassee, one day is sufficent for most.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back town of Santa Cruz. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Tallahassee or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Tallahassee, 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Santa Cruz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This 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 Cruz?

Tallahassee, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The laid back town of Santa Cruz offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Cruz?

Tallahassee 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Cruz. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tallahassee and Santa Cruz, we can see that Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tallahassee or Santa Cruz?

Tallahassee has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Tallahassee during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tallahassee for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tallahassee is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tallahassee in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tallahassee. Tallahassee usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Tallahassee gets 8.9 inches (227 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallahassee or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallahassee and Santa Cruz. Many visitors come to Tallahassee in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Tallahassee is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Tallahassee average around 69°F (20°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Tallahassee usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Tallahassee gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Tallahassee.

Should I visit Tallahassee or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

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

Tallahassee is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Tallahassee averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Tallahassee usually gets more rain in January than Santa Cruz. Tallahassee gets 3.7 inches (95 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallahassee or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Tallahassee is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tallahassee in April average around 67°F (19°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It's quite rainy in Tallahassee. In April, Tallahassee usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Tallahassee gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Tallahassee is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Tallahassee