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

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Santa Monica?

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 Monica, 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 bustling, fun-filled, and relaxing coastal city. Virginia Beach is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife and beaches. See Virginia Beach travel costs.

Santa Monica

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

Virginia Beach and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Monica than Virginia Beach. While Virginia Beach is larger than Santa Monica, Santa Monica has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Monica is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Virginia Beach is more popular for its resorts and impressive beauty. Santa Monica is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier. Virginia Beach is well known for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Virginia Beach different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Santa Monica offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Santa Monica is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Monica has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

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 Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica 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 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 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 Monica Better for Resorts?

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

With a selection of resorts, Virginia Beach makes a nice vacation spot. 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 Monica is not a resort destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is terrific for the beach. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the beach.

The beaches in Santa Monica are among the best in the world. 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.

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 Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Santa Monica is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Santa Monica More Beautiful?

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

Virginia Beach is a beautiful place to visit, too. 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 Monica is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Virginia Beach or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its family-friendly activities.

Santa Monica is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. 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.

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.

Is Virginia Beach or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

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

Santa Monica is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

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 Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Monica 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 Monica. 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.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Santa Monica Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for students. However, Santa Monica 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 Monica is not popular with students.

Is Virginia Beach 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, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

The public transit in Santa Monica can get you around 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 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 Monica a more walkable city?

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

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

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 Monica Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Virginia Beach or Santa Monica?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Monica 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 Monica.

One day in Virginia Beach or Santa Monica?

In Virginia Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife that this bustling coastal city offers. 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.

In Santa Monica, 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 Monica?

Virginia Beach is a fun place to experience. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. 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. 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 Monica?

In Virginia Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife that this bustling destination offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. 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. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Virginia Beach or Santa Monica?

Virginia Beach is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the town of Santa Monica. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. 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 Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.

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 Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Santa Monica?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach 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.

When is the best time to visit Virginia Beach or Santa Monica?

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 Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Virginia Beach is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

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

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

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

In the autumn, Virginia Beach is cooler than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Virginia Beach in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

In October, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Santa Monica. 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 Monica this time of year.

The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. In January, Virginia Beach is generally much colder than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 39°F (4°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica for the beaches.

Virginia Beach is cooler than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Virginia Beach