A Travel Price Comparison for California Fairfield vs. Pasadena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fairfield or Pasadena?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fairfield and Pasadena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Fairfield or Pasadena?

Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.

Pasadena

Pasadena, California is adjacent to Los Angeles and is probably most famous as the host for the New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football game. As such, it has become known as the City of Roses. Year around Pasadena is known to have a vibrant night life. It has a great Old Town area that has impressive shopping and many excellent restaurants. It's also home to the California Institute of Technology and has many museums, theaters, and independent films that make it a cultural haven for the area. Also make sure you visit the Huntington Library which has an impressive art collection and over 150 acres of botanical gardens. It's been featured in several Hollywood Films.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Pasadena or Fairfield?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Fairfield is $131, while the average daily cost in Pasadena is $62. 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 Fairfield and Pasadena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fairfield $97
    Pasadena $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fairfield $194
    Pasadena $50
Compare Hotels in Fairfield and Pasadena

Looking for a hotel in Fairfield or Pasadena? 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 Fairfield


Hotels in Pasadena


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: Fairfield Hotel Prices and Pasadena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fairfield -
    Pasadena $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Fairfield or Pasadena?

Prices for flights to both Pasadena and Fairfield 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
    Fairfield $30
    Pasadena $19
Typical Food Prices in Fairfield

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:


  • El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)
    $17
  • Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)
    $44

Typical Food Prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fairfield $13
    Pasadena -

Tours and Activities in Pasadena

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:

  • Cozumel: ATVs Jungle Experience + Beach Club All Inclusive: $79
  • LA: East Side Guided Film Locations Tour: $350
  • Haunted Walking Tour: $33
  • Old Pasadena Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fairfield -
    Pasadena -

Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:

  • Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fairfield and Pasadena, we can see that Fairfield 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 Fairfield would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairfield 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 Fairfield Expensive? and Is Pasadena Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Fairfield or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Fairfield. When comparing the sizes of Fairfield 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 Fairfield or Pasadena?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Fairfield or Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and Fairfield during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pasadena for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Fairfield is generally around the same temperature as Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Fairfield average around 73°F (23°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Fairfield usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Fairfield gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Fairfield 73°F (23°C) 
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Fairfield or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Fairfield and Pasadena. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pasadena in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Fairfield is cooler than Pasadena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Fairfield averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In October, Fairfield usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Fairfield gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Fairfield 62°F (17°C) 
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Fairfield or Pasadena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Fairfield as well as Pasadena. Additionally, most visitors come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Fairfield is much colder than Pasadena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fairfield in January average around 46°F (8°C), and Pasadena averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Fairfield usually gets more rain in January than Pasadena. Fairfield gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Fairfield 46°F (8°C) 
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Fairfield or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and Fairfield are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Fairfield is generally cooler than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Fairfield average around 56°F (13°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In April, Fairfield usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Fairfield gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Fairfield 56°F (13°C) 
    Pasadena 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Fairfield

Fairfield Pasadena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Feb 51°F (11°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Apr 56°F (13°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
May 64°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Jun 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 70°F (21°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm)
Dec 46°F (8°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)