A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Virginia Beach vs. Santa Cruz for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz, 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 relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. Virginia Beach is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife and beaches. See Virginia Beach travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a scenic, laid back, and coastal town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Virginia Beach and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Cruz than Virginia Beach. While Virginia Beach is larger than Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Cruz is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Virginia Beach attracts visitors for its resorts and impressive beauty. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also well known for Santa Cruz Wharf. Virginia Beach is famous for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Virginia Beach different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Cruz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

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 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.

Is Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a handful of resorts to choose from. 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.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz. 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.

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 Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz has hiking trails worth exploring. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz More Beautiful?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Virginia Beach is a gorgeous place to visit. As a developed beach town, the city has its share of hotels along the beach, but it is still a beautiful setting to explore.

Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Virginia Beach and Santa Cruz are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Virginia Beach is very family-friendly. 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.

Santa Cruz is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is great for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for couples.

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.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for students. However, Santa Cruz 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.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

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

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

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 Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is terrific for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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.

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 Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Virginia Beach than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Virginia Beach, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach. 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 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 Santa Cruz.

One day in Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife around the fun-filled coastal city of Virginia Beach, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Santa Cruz, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Santa Cruz?

With nightlife around the destination of Virginia Beach, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz?

Virginia Beach, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Cruz. 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 Santa Cruz?

Virginia Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the town of Santa Cruz. 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 comparing the travel costs between Virginia Beach and Santa Cruz, we can see that Santa Cruz 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 Virginia Beach Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Virginia Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Virginia Beach is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 79°F (26°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Santa Cruz. Most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Virginia Beach is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Santa Cruz. The winter months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. In the winter, Virginia Beach is much colder than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Virginia Beach in January average around 39°F (4°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).

Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in January than Santa Cruz. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches.

In April, Virginia Beach is generally around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Virginia Beach