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

Should you visit Williamsburg or Santa Cruz?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Williamsburg and Santa Cruz. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a historic, charming, and quaint town. Williamsburg is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Williamsburg travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Williamsburg and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Williamsburg or Santa Cruz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz than Williamsburg, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Cruz is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Williamsburg is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Williamsburg is well known for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. Santa Cruz is well known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is famous for Santa Cruz Wharf.

How is Williamsburg different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Williamsburg or Santa Cruz?

Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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

Williamsburg is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Williamsburg makes for a great culinary experience. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

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.

Is Williamsburg or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Santa Cruz know how to have a good time. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Williamsburg or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Santa Cruz for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Williamsburg or Santa Cruz Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is very popular for its historic old town. However, Santa Cruz does not have a historic old town.

Williamsburg has a world-famous historical area. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Santa Cruz does not have a historic old town.

Is Williamsburg or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

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

Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Williamsburg or Santa Cruz?

Williamsburg is notable for shopping. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Williamsburg is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

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

Is Williamsburg or Santa Cruz More Beautiful?

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

Williamsburg is a gorgeous place to visit. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.

Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Williamsburg or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Williamsburg is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Williamsburg is a very family-friendly destination. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Cruz is very family-friendly. 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 Williamsburg or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Williamsburg and Santa Cruz both superb destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Williamsburg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

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.

Is Williamsburg or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a good destination for backpackers. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Williamsburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a number of restaurants and bars that cater to the student population, but there's little else that attracts backpackers.

Is Williamsburg or Santa Cruz Better for Students?

Williamsburg is very popular for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Williamsburg. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Williamsburg and Santa Cruz.

Public transit is generally limited in Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

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

Is Williamsburg or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for its walkability.

Getting around Santa Cruz on foot is easy. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable town. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Williamsburg Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Williamsburg?

How long in Williamsburg or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Williamsburg or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Williamsburg than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Williamsburg, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg or Santa Cruz?

With museums and food around the quaint town of Williamsburg, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Santa Cruz, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this coastal town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Williamsburg or Santa Cruz?

With food and shopping around the destination of Williamsburg, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Santa Cruz is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Williamsburg or Santa Cruz?

Williamsburg, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the scenic destination of Santa Cruz. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Williamsburg or Santa Cruz?

Williamsburg 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.

Santa Cruz is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg or Santa Cruz?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Santa Cruz. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Williamsburg is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Williamsburg in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Williamsburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Santa Cruz. Many travelers come to Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Williamsburg is generally around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 61°F (16°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Williamsburg usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Williamsburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Williamsburg can get quite cold in the winter. Williamsburg is much colder than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 38°F (4°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In January, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Williamsburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches.

In the spring, Williamsburg is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Williamsburg in April average around 57°F (14°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

Williamsburg usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Williamsburg