A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Everglades National Park vs. Sonoma for Food, Couples, Hiking, and Backpackers

Should you visit Everglades National Park or Sonoma?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Everglades National Park and Sonoma can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a natural, wild, and pristine national park. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Sonoma

Sonoma is a scenic, serene, and relaxing county. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Everglades National Park and Sonoma: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Sonoma?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sonoma. Although Everglades National Park and Sonoma are popular destinations, Sonoma has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sonoma is more touristy than Everglades National Park and is known for its world-class winemaking and sustainable agriculture. It is also well known for Buena Vista Winery. Everglades National Park is famous for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees.

How is Everglades National Park different from Sonoma?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Sonoma?

Everglades National Park
Sonoma

You'll find a number of reasonable museums and attractions in both Sonoma and Everglades National Park.

While most people don't head to Everglades National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.

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 Everglades National Park or Sonoma? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Everglades National Park
Sonoma

Sonoma is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Sonoma has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Everglades National Park or Sonoma Better for Nightlife?

Everglades National Park
Sonoma

Sonoma is a great county for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Sonoma has something for everybody. Lounges, wine bars, and live music venues offer a variety of activities for visitors during the evening hours.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Sonoma Better for Resorts?

Everglades National Park
Sonoma

Sonoma is a great county for its luxury resorts. However, Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Sonoma. Spa hotels, charming inns, and beautiful resorts all offer a variety of options for visitors.

Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.


Is Everglades National Park or Sonoma Better for Beaches?

Everglades National Park
Sonoma

Sonoma is a great county for the beach. However, Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Sonoma is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Sonoma Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park
Sonoma

You'll find superb hiking in both Everglades National Park and Sonoma.

Many visitors go to Everglades National Park for the hiking trails. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Sonoma is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Sonoma?

Everglades National Park
Sonoma

Sonoma is a great county for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known 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.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.


Is Everglades National Park or Sonoma Better for Families?

Everglades National Park
Sonoma

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Everglades National Park or Sonoma.

Everglades National Park offers lots of family activities. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Sonoma is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Everglades National Park or Sonoma Better for Couples?

Everglades National Park
Sonoma

Sonoma is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Sonoma has plenty to offer. 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.

Everglades National Park is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.

Is Everglades National Park or Sonoma Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park
Sonoma

Everglades National Park is a great national park for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sonoma is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Everglades National Park. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

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

Everglades National Park
Sonoma

Neither Everglades National Park or Sonoma offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

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 Everglades National Park or Sonoma a more walkable city?

Everglades National Park
Sonoma

Everglades National Park is adequate for its ease of walking around. However, Sonoma is not known for its walkability.

Everglades National Park is generally not a very walkable national park. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Everglades National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Sonoma Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sonoma or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Sonoma?

It's fun to spend time in either Everglades National Park or Sonoma. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Sonoma due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Everglades National Park, and 2-4 days is enough time in Sonoma.

Families should spend more time in Sonoma than Everglades National Park. 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 Everglades National Park. 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 Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park.


  • How many days in Everglades National Park or Sonoma? Ideal Length of Stay
    Everglades National Park 2-3 
    Sonoma 2-4

One day in Everglades National Park or Sonoma?

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Everglades National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With food and shopping around the scenic county of Sonoma, there's plenty to do. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


A weekend in Everglades National Park or Sonoma?

Everglades National Park 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.

With shopping and nightlife around the relaxing destination of Sonoma, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have a weekend, this county makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Sonoma?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Everglades National Park. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the relaxing county of Sonoma. This county offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Everglades National Park or Sonoma?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the natural destination of Everglades National Park. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Sonoma is a great place to explore. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Sonoma or Everglades National Park?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Everglades National Park is $146, while the average daily cost in Sonoma is $219. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Everglades National Park and Sonoma in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Everglades National Park $80
    Sonoma $93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Everglades National Park $160
    Sonoma $186
Compare Hotels in Everglades National Park and Sonoma

Looking for a hotel in Everglades National Park or Sonoma? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Everglades National Park


Hotels in Sonoma


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sonoma Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Everglades National Park $56
    Sonoma $134

Is it cheaper to fly into Everglades National Park or Sonoma?

Prices for flights to both Sonoma and Everglades National Park change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Everglades National Park $31
    Sonoma $56

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Everglades National Park $28
    Sonoma $16

Tours and Activities in Everglades National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Everglades National Park.

  • 2 Hour Chokoloskee Island Kayak Tour: $80
  • 4 Hour Everglades Kayak Tour: $120
  • 6 Hour Everglades Mangroves Kayak Tour: $200
  • Everglades National Park Dolphin, Birding and Wildlife Boat Tour (2 hours): $120
  • Flamingo Everglades Boat Tours: $48
  • Two-Hour Everglades National Park Dolphin, Birding and Wildlife Boat Tour: $120

Tours and Activities in Sonoma

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sonoma.

  • Create your own wine blend experience: $140
  • From Napa Valley Classic Sidecar Tour to 3 Wineries: $300
  • Sonoma Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour & Game: $49
  • Sonoma Valley: Guided Winery Tour with Picnic Lunch: $126
  • Sonoma Valley: Wine Trolley Tasting Tour with Lunch: $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Everglades National Park $7.86
    Sonoma $41

Sample the Local Flavors in Sonoma

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sonoma:

  • San Francisco: Half-Day Wine Tour with 2 Tastings Included: $189
  • Sonoma Food & Wine Tour: $235


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

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



When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park or Sonoma in the Summer?

Both Sonoma and Everglades National Park are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Everglades National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Sonoma in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Everglades National Park is a little warmer than Sonoma in the summer. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Sonoma fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite rainy in Everglades National Park. In July, Everglades National Park usually receives more rain than Sonoma. Everglades National Park gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Everglades National Park 82°F (28°C) 
    Sonoma 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Sonoma in the Autumn?

Both Sonoma and Everglades National Park during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Everglades National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Sonoma for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Everglades National Park is much warmer than Sonoma. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Everglades National Park in October average around 78°F (26°C), and Sonoma averages at about 62°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in October than Sonoma. Everglades National Park gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Everglades National Park is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Everglades National Park 78°F (26°C) 
    Sonoma 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Sonoma in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Everglades National Park and Sonoma. Most visitors come to Everglades National Park for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sonoma because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Everglades National Park is generally much warmer than Sonoma. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 67°F (19°C), and Sonoma fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

In January, Everglades National Park usually receives less rain than Sonoma. Everglades National Park gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Everglades National Park 67°F (19°C) 
    Sonoma 46°F (8°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Sonoma in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Everglades National Park as well as Sonoma. The spring months attract visitors to Everglades National Park because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sonoma this time of year.

Everglades National Park is much warmer than Sonoma in the spring. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 74°F (24°C) in April, and Sonoma fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in April than Sonoma. Everglades National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Everglades National Park.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Everglades National Park 74°F (24°C) 
    Sonoma 56°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Sonoma and Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park Sonoma
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 67°F (19°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Feb 68°F (20°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 71°F (22°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
May 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (162 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 9.4 inches (238 mm) 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Aug 83°F (28°C) 7.5 inches (191 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 7.6 inches (194 mm) 70°F (21°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 78°F (26°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Nov 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec 69°F (21°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 46°F (8°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)