A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Virginia Beach vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a fun-filled, relaxing, and bustling coastal city. Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife and beaches. See Virginia Beach travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a picturesque, quaint, and charming town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. The beauty of Carmel-by-the-Sea is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, food, and beaches. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Virginia Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Virginia Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea are both popular with visitors, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Virginia Beach is known for its nightlife and resorts. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is popular for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also home to Pebble Beach Golf Course. Virginia Beach is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Virginia Beach is a coastal city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

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 Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is a coastal city with good options for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for the beach. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Virginia Beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Carmel-by-the-Sea is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As a developed beach town, the city has its share of hotels along the beach, but it is still a beautiful setting to explore.

Is Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Virginia Beach is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Virginia Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

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 Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for couples.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Is Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

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

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city to visit for students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

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

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

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

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

How long in Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Virginia Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Virginia Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

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

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

One day in Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife around the destination of Virginia Beach, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Most people come for the beaches. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife around the fun-filled coastal city of Virginia Beach, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife around the relaxing destination of Virginia Beach, there's plenty to do. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Virginia Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Virginia Beach or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Virginia Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Virginia Beach is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the summer temperatures in Virginia Beach in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Virginia Beach is generally around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 62°F (16°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the winter for the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Virginia Beach can get quite cold in the winter. Virginia Beach is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 39°F (4°C) in January, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Virginia Beach is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the spring temperatures in Virginia Beach in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In April, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Virginia Beach