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

Should you visit Asheville or Pasadena?

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 Pasadena. 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. Asheville 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 live music, food, and hiking. See Asheville travel costs.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a picturesque, quaint, and charming city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Pasadena travel costs.

Asheville and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Pasadena?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Asheville than Pasadena. While Pasadena 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, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Pasadena is known for its museums and attractions. Asheville is more touristy than Pasadena and is known for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue. It is also home to The Biltmore Estate. Pasadena is popular for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Asheville different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pasadena 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 Pasadena. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Pasadena can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Asheville. 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.

Pasadena has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

Is Asheville or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Pasadena for the nightlife scene. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

Is Asheville or Pasadena Better for Music?

Asheville is notable for its music scene. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Pasadena Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a good destination for its resorts. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Pasadena Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its historic old town charm. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Pasadena Better for Hiking?

Asheville is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Pasadena?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Pasadena 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 Pasadena. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Is Asheville or Pasadena More Beautiful?

Asheville is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Pasadena is not a destination known for its beauty.

Asheville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With the surrounding mountains and the charming town, the area is filled with natural beauty.

Pasadena is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Asheville or Pasadena Better for Families?

Asheville is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is a family-friendly mountain town. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Asheville or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Asheville is notable for couples. Also, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Is Asheville or Pasadena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is notable for backpackers. However, Pasadena is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Pasadena is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.

Is Asheville or Pasadena Better for Students?

Asheville is notable for students. However, Pasadena is not popular with students.

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

Pasadena is not popular with students.

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

Pasadena is a good destination for its public transit. However, Asheville is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Pasadena, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around by using their own vehicle. In particular, if you plan to hike or explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll need a car. Many of the downtown hotels offer shuttle buses to the Biltmore area.

Is Asheville or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Asheville and Pasadena both are good when exploring on foot.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to reach restaurants and shops on foot. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Pasadena is a somewhat walkable mountain town. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Asheville and Pasadena. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Asheville than Pasadena. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Pasadena. 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 Pasadena. 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 Asheville than Pasadena 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 Asheville.

One day in Asheville or Pasadena?

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 Pasadena. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pasadena has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Pasadena?

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 charming destination of Pasadena. 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 Pasadena?

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 picturesque city of Pasadena. 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 Pasadena?

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.

Pasadena 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 Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

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 Pasadena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Pasadena. The summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

In the summer, Asheville is a little warmer than Pasadena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Pasadena averages at about 73°F (23°C).

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Pasadena. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the shopping scene.

In October, Asheville is generally cooler than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Pasadena in the Winter?

Both Pasadena and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Pasadena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Asheville is much colder than Pasadena in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In January, Asheville usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and Asheville during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Asheville is around the same temperature as Pasadena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Pasadena averages at about 62°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Asheville