A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Winston-Salem vs. Monterey for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Monterey?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Monterey? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a friendly, under-rated, and welcoming city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Winston-Salem travel costs.

Monterey

Monterey is a nature-oriented, laid back, and relaxing city. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Monterey travel costs.

Winston-Salem and Monterey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Winston-Salem or Monterey?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Monterey. Although Winston-Salem and Monterey are popular destinations, Monterey has more sights and attractions for tourists. Monterey is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Winston-Salem attracts visitors for its historical sights. Monterey is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is popular for its rugged coastline, diverse marine life, and excellent seafood. It is also well known for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Winston-Salem is famous for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Winston-Salem different from Monterey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Monterey and Winston-Salem. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Winston-Salem or Monterey?

Monterey is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Monterey offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a not-to-be-missed destination in town. You can also visit the Monterey State Historic Park or the Monterey Museum of Art.

Winston-Salem is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Old Salem has a nice concentration of museums and gardens. Outside of the old town you'll find several art museums like the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art.

Is the Food Better in Winston-Salem or Monterey? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Monterey is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Monterey is an experience not to be missed. Seafood and local produce are what make the food special. There are many great restaurants to you can choose from that will let you enjoy the classic seafood dishes like clam chowder or oysters, as well as fresh artichokes and local wine.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Winston-Salem. North Carolina barbecue is popular around town. The city is also the birthplace of Krispy Kreme donuts and during the holiday season you should sample the local Moravian Cookies.

Is Winston-Salem or Monterey Better for Nightlife?

Monterey is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Monterey has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a buzzing atmosphere at night with bars, breweries, and casual eateries all coming to life. Some of the best venues are found at the Old Fisherman's Wharf and along Alvarado Street.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Winston-Salem. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

Is Winston-Salem or Monterey Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monterey is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Winston-Salem is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Monterey has a few good snorkeling spots. Scuba diving offers an unforgettable experience. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary gives you the unique experience of seeing sea lions, otters, kelp forests, crabs, and more.

Winston-Salem is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Monterey Better for Beaches?

Monterey is a popular place for the beach. However, Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Monterey is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches highlight the laid by California vibe with sunbathers and beachgoers soaking up the atmosphere. There are both inlets and sandy beaches where you can see sea lions or explore the tidal pools.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Monterey Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Monterey does not have a historic old town.

Winston-Salem has an old town worth visiting. Nearby Old Salem is filled with historic museums, gardens, and restaurants. A ticket is required for most of the venues, but the atmosphere and architecture are charming.

Monterey does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Monterey?

Monterey is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Monterey. You'll find both local vendors and tourist shops around town. Cannery Row is a popular destination, as is Old Fisherman's Wharf and the Old Farmer's Market.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Winston-Salem. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Winston-Salem or Monterey Better for Families?

Monterey is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Monterey is a very family-friendly destination. Monterey Bay Aquarium is a highlight for kids and adults alike. There's also the Monterey Zoo as well as lighthearted activities like a mirror maze. MY Museum is an interactive museum that's perfect for younger kids. There are also whale watching trips and nearby beaches.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly city. There are interactive museums like the Kaleideum science museums. There are also outdoor parks and playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, and a children's theater.

Is Winston-Salem or Monterey Better for Couples?

Monterey is notable for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

Monterey is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many romantic inns in town as well as quaint restaurants and fun activities. There are also spas, wine bars, and plenty of shopping for couples to enjoy as well.

Winston-Salem is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are restaurants and movie theaters that make for a nice date night. There are also parks and walks that will get you outdoors.

Is Winston-Salem or Monterey Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Monterey is a popular place for backpackers. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Monterey. There's a hostel in town as well as fun activities that will appeal to backpackers.

Winston-Salem is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's not on the itinerary for most backpackers.

Is Winston-Salem or Monterey Better for Students?

Winston-Salem is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Monterey is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

Monterey is not popular with students.

Is Winston-Salem or Monterey Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Winston-Salem and Monterey offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Winston-Salem. There are bus routes, but they are limited in their frequency and convenience, making a car essential for most visitors.

Public transit is mostly limited in Monterey. There is a bus system through the area.

Is Winston-Salem or Monterey a more walkable city?

Monterey is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for its walkability.

Monterey is a very walkable destination. If you stay near the town center, it's very walkable and easy to get around on foot.

Winston-Salem is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is the most pedestrian-friendly part of town, but most of the city requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting? and Is Monterey Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Monterey or Winston-Salem?

How long in Winston-Salem or Monterey?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Winston-Salem and Monterey. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Monterey than in Winston-Salem. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Winston-Salem, and 1-3 days is enough time in Monterey.

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

Couples should spend more time in Monterey than Winston-Salem. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Monterey that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Monterey than Winston-Salem 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 Monterey.

One day in Winston-Salem or Monterey?

The city of Winston-Salem offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the nature-oriented destination of Monterey. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Winston-Salem or Monterey?

Winston-Salem is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Winston-Salem, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Monterey. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Winston-Salem or Monterey?

Winston-Salem is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the nature-oriented destination of Monterey. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Winston-Salem or Monterey?

Winston-Salem is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Monterey. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Winston-Salem and Monterey, we can see that Monterey is more expensive. And not only is Winston-Salem much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Winston-Salem would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Winston-Salem 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 Monterey would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Monterey than you might in Winston-Salem.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Winston-Salem Expensive? and Is Monterey Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Monterey?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Monterey. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Monterey, 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 Winston-Salem or Monterey?

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 Winston-Salem or Monterey in the Summer?

Both Monterey and Winston-Salem during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Monterey because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Winston-Salem is much warmer than Monterey in the summer. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Monterey fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in July than Monterey. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Monterey in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Monterey. The autumn months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.

In the autumn, Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Monterey. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Winston-Salem in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Monterey averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Monterey. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Monterey in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Monterey. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Monterey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Winston-Salem in the winter. In January, Winston-Salem is generally much colder than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 40°F (4°C), and Monterey fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in January than Monterey. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Monterey in the Spring?

Both Monterey and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Monterey in the spring for the beaches.

Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Monterey in the spring. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Monterey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Monterey. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Monterey and Winston-Salem