A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Berkeley for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Asheville or Berkeley?

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 Asheville and Berkeley. 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.

Asheville

Asheville is a eclectic, outdoorsy, and progressive mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Berkeley

Berkeley is a progressive, diverse, and quirky city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Asheville and Berkeley: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Berkeley?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Asheville than Berkeley. While Berkeley is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Asheville is more popular for its music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Berkeley is known for its museums and food. Berkeley is more touristy than Asheville and is known for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques. Asheville is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also home to The Biltmore Estate.

How is Asheville different from Berkeley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Asheville or Berkeley?

Berkeley is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Berkeley. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Asheville or Berkeley? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Berkeley is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Berkeley. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

Asheville is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Is Asheville or Berkeley Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Asheville and Berkeley.

Asheville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Many people head to Berkeley for the nightlife scene. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

Is Asheville or Berkeley Better for Music?

Asheville is notable for its music scene. However, Berkeley is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Asheville. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Berkeley is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Berkeley Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Berkeley is not a resort destination.

Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Berkeley is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Berkeley Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its historic old town charm. However, Berkeley does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Berkeley does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Berkeley Better for Hiking?

Asheville is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Berkeley is not a hiking destination.

Asheville is a popular spot for hiking. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Berkeley is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Berkeley?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Berkeley and Asheville.

Asheville is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Berkeley. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Asheville or Berkeley Better for Christmas?

Asheville is notable for its Christmas activities. However, Berkeley does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Berkeley does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Berkeley Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its Christmas markets. However, Berkeley does not offer Christmas markets.

During the holidays, visitors often browse through the Christmas markets in Asheville. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Berkeley does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Berkeley Better for Families?

Asheville is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Asheville is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Berkeley is a family-friendly mountain town. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Asheville or Berkeley Better for Couples?

Asheville is notable for couples. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Asheville is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Berkeley is a nice destination for couples. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Is Asheville or Berkeley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville and Berkeley are great places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Asheville is a great mountain town to visit for backpackers. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Berkeley. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Is Asheville or Berkeley Better for Students?

Asheville and Berkeley are great places to visit for students.

Many students visit Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Berkeley is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

Is Asheville or Berkeley Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Berkeley is an unbeatable place for its public transit. However, Asheville is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Berkeley can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Is Asheville or Berkeley a more walkable city?

Berkeley is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Berkeley on foot is easy. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Berkeley Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Berkeley or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Berkeley?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Asheville and Berkeley. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Asheville than Berkeley. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berkeley than Asheville 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 Berkeley.

One day in Asheville or Berkeley?

The mountain town of Asheville offers live music and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Berkeley. 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 Asheville or Berkeley?

Asheville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this mountain town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Asheville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Berkeley. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Berkeley?

Asheville 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 nightlife and food when visiting the quirky city of Berkeley. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Berkeley?

Asheville is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This mountain town offers something for everyone.

Berkeley is a popular choice for travelers. 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 The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Berkeley?

Berkeley has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Berkeley, 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 Asheville or Berkeley?

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 Asheville or Berkeley in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Berkeley. Many visitors come to Asheville in the summer for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Berkeley for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Asheville is much warmer than Berkeley. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Berkeley averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Berkeley in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Berkeley. Most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Berkeley because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as Berkeley. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Berkeley. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Berkeley in the Winter?

Both Berkeley and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Asheville because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year.

Asheville is much colder than Berkeley in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Berkeley fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In January, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Berkeley. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Berkeley in the Spring?

Both Berkeley and Asheville during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Berkeley for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Asheville is a little warmer than Berkeley. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Berkeley averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Berkeley. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Berkeley and Asheville