A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlottesville vs. Sacramento for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Charlottesville or Sacramento?

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 Charlottesville and Sacramento. 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.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a traditional, young, and collegiate university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Sacramento

Sacramento is a relaxed, undiscovered, and laid back city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Charlottesville and Sacramento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Sacramento?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Charlottesville than Sacramento, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Charlottesville is better known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Sacramento is more popular for its museums, food, and shopping. Charlottesville is well known for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park. Also, Charlottesville is famous for The University of Virginia Campus. Sacramento is well known for its history and state capital.

How is Charlottesville different from Sacramento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlottesville or Sacramento?

Sacramento is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sacramento. As the state capital, you'll find a number of historical and informational museums around town. You should check out the State Capital, as well as the California State Railroad Museum, the Crocker Museum of Art, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, and the California Automobile Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Is the Food Better in Charlottesville or Sacramento? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sacramento is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Sacramento has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Casual restaurants with laid back atmospheres are what's most common around town. You'll also find a variety of international cuisines that include Korean and Vietnamese.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Charlottesville or Sacramento Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Charlottesville and Sacramento.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlottesville has a few options to choose from. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sacramento. There highest concentration of activities are found in Downtown Sacramento. You'll find bars, clubs and live music in the area. You can also head to midtown, which has performing arts and comedy shows.

Is Charlottesville or Sacramento Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Sacramento does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Charlottesville. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Sacramento does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Sacramento Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Sacramento is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville has hiking trails worth exploring. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Sacramento is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Sacramento?

Sacramento is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sacramento. You'll find down-to-earth vendors who have reasonable prices and a great selection. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at the Old Sacramento Waterfront or along Folsom Boulevard.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Sacramento Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Sacramento does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Sacramento does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Charlottesville or Sacramento Better for Families?

Both Charlottesville and Sacramento are notable family-friendly destinations.

Charlottesville offers lots of family activities. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Sacramento is a family-friendly place to visit. With the large number of families that live in the area, you'll a variety of kid-friendly activities. Options include smaller amusement parks like Funderland Amusement Park, museums like the Sacramento Children's Museum, and indoor trampoline parks. There's also Fairytale Town, which is an imagination filled playground.

Is Charlottesville or Sacramento Better for Couples?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for couples.

Charlottesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Sacramento is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Picnics, nice restaurants, and shows make for enjoyable date activities while you're in town.

Is Charlottesville or Sacramento Better for Students?

Charlottesville is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Sacramento is not popular with students.

Charlottesville is a great destination for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Sacramento is not popular with students.

Is Charlottesville or Sacramento Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charlottesville and Sacramento both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Public transit is generally limited in Sacramento. There's both light rail and buses around town.

Is Charlottesville or Sacramento a more walkable city?

Charlottesville and Sacramento are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Charlottesville is generally not a very walkable university town. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

Sacramento is generally not very walkable. You'll really want a car to get around town, but Midtown is one of the more walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting? and Is Sacramento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sacramento or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Sacramento?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Charlottesville or Sacramento to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Charlottesville than Sacramento because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Charlottesville, and 1-2 days is enough time in Sacramento.

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

One day in Charlottesville or Sacramento?

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The laid back destination of Sacramento offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Charlottesville or Sacramento?

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this university town.

The city of Sacramento offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Charlottesville or Sacramento?

Charlottesville, a popular university town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Sacramento is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Charlottesville or Sacramento?

Charlottesville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sacramento. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Sacramento, 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 Charlottesville or Sacramento?

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 Charlottesville or Sacramento in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Sacramento. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Sacramento for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Charlottesville is around the same temperature as Sacramento in the summer. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Sacramento fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlottesville usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Sacramento in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Sacramento. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sacramento because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Charlottesville is cooler than Sacramento. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlottesville in October average around 59°F (15°C), and Sacramento averages at about 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sacramento. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in October than Sacramento. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Sacramento in the Winter?

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

The weather in Charlottesville can be very cold. In January, Charlottesville is generally much colder than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 36°F (2°C), and Sacramento fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Sacramento during winter. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlottesville usually receives less rain than Sacramento. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Sacramento in the Spring?

Both Sacramento and Charlottesville during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

Charlottesville is around the same temperature as Sacramento in the spring. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Sacramento fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the spring, Charlottesville often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in April than Sacramento. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sacramento and Charlottesville