A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Blue Ridge vs. San Diego for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Blue Ridge or San Diego?

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 Blue Ridge and San Diego. 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.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a outdoorsy, historic, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

San Diego

San Diego is a relaxed, outdoorsy, and idyllic coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Blue Ridge and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or San Diego?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Diego. Although Blue Ridge and San Diego are popular destinations, San Diego has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Diego is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Blue Ridge attracts visitors for its food, shopping, and small town charm. San Diego is more touristy than Blue Ridge and is known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. It is also well known for The San Diego Zoo. Blue Ridge is famous for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere.

How is Blue Ridge different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Blue Ridge or San Diego?

San Diego is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around San Diego. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.

Blue Ridge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While you don't immediately think of museums in the area, there are a couple. The Dahlonega Gold Museum gives information on the gold rush and mining industry in town. In nearby Tennessee, Ducktown Basin Museum is a historic mine site that is open for tours.

Is the Food Better in Blue Ridge or San Diego? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Blue Ridge is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Blue Ridge has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find plenty of small town restaurants serving local dishes like barbecue, trout, and biscuits with gravy. Southern food is popular, but you'll also find plenty of breweries and wineries in the area. Head downtown for an assortment of options that include southern, vegan, and even international flavors.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the San Diego area. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.

Is Blue Ridge or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

San Diego is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

San Diego has a large number of nightlife venues. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.

Blue Ridge has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Is Blue Ridge or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is a very popular place for live music. However, Blue Ridge is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in San Diego while you're in town. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Blue Ridge is not a live music destination.

Is Blue Ridge or San Diego Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

San Diego has a handful of resorts to choose from. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.

Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

Is Blue Ridge or San Diego Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

San Diego is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Blue Ridge is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in San Diego. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.

Blue Ridge is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Blue Ridge or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its beaches. However, Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

San Diego offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

Is Blue Ridge or San Diego Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Blue Ridge and San Diego, and they are excellent.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Blue Ridge. There are miles of hiking trails in the area that take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. The starting point of the Appalachian Trail is also nearby, and another popular trail is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Options range from beginner to expert with everything in between.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around San Diego. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or San Diego?

Blue Ridge is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its shopping areas.

Blue Ridge is well-known for its shopping. You'll find artisan shops, art galleries, and boutique clothing vendors. Many places are concentrated in the charming downtown area, which is fun to explore for a day or two.

Many visitors go to San Diego to go shopping. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.

Is Blue Ridge or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, San Diego is very family-friendly. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.

Blue Ridge is a very kid-friendly town. Kids who enjoy hiking and playing outdoors will have fun here. There are waterfall hikes, fruit picking farms, and plenty of playgrounds. There's also a scenic railway and lots of places to sample treats.

Is Blue Ridge or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for romance. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

San Diego is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.

Couples visit Blue Ridge frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. If you're looking for a cozy retreat where you can relax in a cabin, take long walks through nature, and enjoy local food, then this is your place. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and rustic cabins with fireplaces and simple pleasures. If you want to escape it all then the mountains are the place to be.

Is Blue Ridge or San Diego Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Blue Ridge is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Blue Ridge. There are a number of campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hikes that backpackers will enjoy. Nearby you'll also find the start of the famed Appalachian Trail.

Plenty of budget travelers visit San Diego. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Is Blue Ridge or San Diego Better for Students?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

San Diego is a very popular place to visit for students. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.

Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

Is Blue Ridge or San Diego Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

San Diego is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Is Blue Ridge or San Diego a more walkable city?

Blue Ridge and San Diego are nice when it comes to walkability.

Blue Ridge is somewhat walkable. While the downtown area is relatively walkable, if you want to hike and get out in nature, you'll need to have a car.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.

For even more information, also check out Is Blue Ridge Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or San Diego?

In either Blue Ridge or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, San Diego has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in San Diego than Blue Ridge. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Blue Ridge, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Diego than Blue Ridge 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 San Diego.

One day in Blue Ridge or San Diego?

Even though Blue Ridge is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy coastal city of San Diego, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Blue Ridge or San Diego?

Blue Ridge is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With nightlife and live music around the destination of San Diego, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Blue Ridge or San Diego?

Blue Ridge is a small town with plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

San Diego, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Blue Ridge or San Diego?

Blue Ridge is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

San Diego is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 1040 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge and San Diego, 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 Blue Ridge or San Diego?

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 Blue Ridge or San Diego in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and San Diego. The summer months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

In the summer, Blue Ridge is a little warmer than San Diego. Typically, the summer temperatures in Blue Ridge in July average around 81°F (27°C), and San Diego averages at about 71°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. Blue Ridge usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during summer. Blue Ridge gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than San Diego. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as San Diego. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Blue Ridge is generally cooler than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 63°F (17°C), and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In the autumn, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Blue Ridge gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.

Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or San Diego in the Winter?

Both San Diego and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge is much colder than San Diego in the winter. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. Blue Ridge usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during winter. Blue Ridge gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Blue Ridge. In January, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than San Diego. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego and Blue Ridge during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Blue Ridge is around the same temperature as San Diego. Typically, the spring temperatures in Blue Ridge in April average around 62°F (17°C), and San Diego averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Blue Ridge. In the spring, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Blue Ridge gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Blue Ridge