A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Arlington vs. Sonoma for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Arlington or Sonoma?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Sonoma, 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.

Arlington

Arlington is a educational, international, and historical city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sonoma

Sonoma is a scenic, serene, and relaxing county. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Arlington and Sonoma: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Sonoma?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sonoma. Although Arlington and Sonoma are popular destinations, Sonoma has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sonoma is very popular for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Arlington attracts visitors for its museums. Sonoma is more touristy than Arlington and is known for its world-class winemaking and sustainable agriculture. It is also well known for Buena Vista Winery. Arlington is famous for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon.

How is Arlington different from Sonoma?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arlington or Sonoma?

Arlington is a great city for its historical sights. However, Sonoma is not known for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Arlington. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Sonoma offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While most people don't think of museums when they think of Sonoma, there are actually some interesting local options. The California Indian Museum, the Cotati Museum, and the Depot Park Museum are also local are fascinating.

Is the Food Better in Arlington or Sonoma? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sonoma is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Sonoma is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Although wine may be the first thing you think about, the region is also filled with farm-to-table restaurants and award-winning dining options. The food is almost always fresh and local. You can sample many local ingredients such as vegetables, cheeses, olive oils, and fish.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arlington makes for a great culinary experience. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Is Arlington or Sonoma Better for Nightlife?

Both Arlington and Sonoma have high quality vibes after the sun sets.

Arlington has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

The people in Sonoma know how to have a good time. Lounges, wine bars, and live music venues offer a variety of activities for visitors during the evening hours.

Is Arlington or Sonoma Better for Resorts?

Sonoma is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Sonoma is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Spa hotels, charming inns, and beautiful resorts all offer a variety of options for visitors.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Arlington or Sonoma Better for Beaches?

Sonoma is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Sonoma. The county has a coastline that includes several great beaches as well as rocky shoreline. The beaches include secluded coves and picturesque cliffs as well as sand dunes and sandy beaches.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is Arlington or Sonoma Better for Hiking?

Sonoma is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Sonoma. In between wine tastings you can explore the area's stunning natural beauty. There are hikes through the vineyards, along the coast, or through forested parks. Some of the best hikes are found in Jack London State Historic Park, Sugarloaf State Park, and Armstrong Woods State Park.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Sonoma?

Sonoma is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Sonoma. You'll find a range of local vendors in the area, selling everything from jewelry to art, home decor, and olive oil.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Arlington or Sonoma Better for Families?

Arlington and Sonoma are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Arlington is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sonoma. While most people think immediately of wine tours, there's actually a lot more to Sonoma County. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in the area, which include beaches, parks, wildlife viewing, and more. There's also horseback riding and even ziplining opportunities.

Is Arlington or Sonoma Better for Couples?

Sonoma is terrific for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Sonoma has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It has long been a favorite honeymoon destination for couples who come for the vineyards and wine tours. There are also charming hotels, award winning restaurants, and beautiful beaches.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Arlington or Sonoma Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sonoma is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Sonoma is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a few budget hotel options in the area, but not much in the form of hostels.

Is Arlington or Sonoma Better for Students?

Arlington is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Sonoma is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Sonoma is not popular with students.

Is Arlington or Sonoma Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is terrific for times when you don't have a car. However, Sonoma is not known for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Arlington can take you anywhere. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Sonoma. While there are buses, they are almost never used by tourists. There is the Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley which you should purchase tickets for in advance.

Is Arlington or Sonoma a more walkable city?

Arlington is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Sonoma is not known for its walkability.

Arlington is a very walkable destination. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Sonoma is not a walkable city. You really must have a car to get around the area and explore it efficiently.

For even more information, also check out Is Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Sonoma Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sonoma or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Sonoma?

It's fun to spend time in either Arlington or Sonoma. In our opinion, Sonoma has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Sonoma than Arlington. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Sonoma 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 Arlington.

One day in Arlington or Sonoma?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arlington. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food and shopping around the county of Sonoma. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Arlington or Sonoma?

Arlington is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the relaxing destination of Sonoma. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this county has to offer. This county offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Arlington or Sonoma?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arlington. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic county of Sonoma. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Arlington or Sonoma?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Arlington. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Sonoma is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Sonoma?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sonoma. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Sonoma, 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 Arlington or Sonoma?

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 Arlington or Sonoma in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Sonoma. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arlington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sonoma for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Arlington is a little warmer than Sonoma in the summer. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Sonoma fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In July, Arlington usually receives more rain than Sonoma. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Arlington or Sonoma in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Sonoma. Many travelers come to Arlington for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Sonoma in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Arlington is around the same temperature as Sonoma. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Arlington in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Sonoma averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Arlington usually gets more rain in October than Sonoma. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Sonoma in the Winter?

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

Arlington can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Arlington is generally much colder than Sonoma. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 35°F (1°C), and Sonoma fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

In January, Arlington usually receives less rain than Sonoma. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Arlington or Sonoma in the Spring?

Both Sonoma and Arlington during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Sonoma because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Arlington is around the same temperature as Sonoma in the spring. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Sonoma fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Arlington usually gets more rain in April than Sonoma. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sonoma and Arlington