Should you visit Los Angeles or Sonoma?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Los Angeles and Sonoma. 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. So, let's dig into it.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.
Sonoma
When people say Sonoma, they are often referring to the region's wine country, but in fact, Sonoma is a county, a valley, and a town. The county covers 1,768 square miles and is more spread out than nearby Napa. There are more than 30 cities and towns in the county and 425 wineries with tasting rooms. The county also borders the Pacific Ocean, and the beautiful 55 mile stretch of coastline is rugged and dramatic.
Which city is cheaper, Sonoma or Los Angeles?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Los Angeles is $190, while the average daily cost in Sonoma is $176. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Los Angeles and Sonoma in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Los Angeles, $222 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Los Angeles, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $111, such as in a hostel.
Travelers usually pay around $148 for a double occupancy room in Sonoma If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The price of a meal in Los Angeles can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $35 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $14 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
Food in Sonoma costs travelers about $45 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Los Angeles $35
Sonoma $45
Typical Food prices in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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How to Cook the Perfect Steak Virtual Cooking Class:
$42
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Downtown Food Tour:
$75
-
West Hollywood Food Tour:
$75
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Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour:
$77
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Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Los Angeles Venice Beach:
$96
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Private Authentic Middle Eastern Cooking Class in Reseda, Los Angeles:
$102
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Luxury Vegan Food Tours of Los Angeles:
$125
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Secret Food Tour of Venice Beach, Los Angeles w/ Private Tour Option:
$207
-
3-Hour Secret Food Tour:
$209
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sonoma
For Sonoma, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Wine Country Food Tours. Sightseeing to various local artisanal food producers:
$462
Local Transportation
Los Angeles's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $29 per person, per day on transportation in Los Angeles.
Sonoma's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $107 per person, per day on transportation in Sonoma.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Los Angeles
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:
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Hotel Parking for a Day
$22
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Taxi to Airport
$55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles
Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles Airport LAX to Las Vegas by Minibus:
$1,883
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Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles Airport LAX to Las Vegas by SUV:
$1,616
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Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles Airport LAX to Las Vegas by Executive SUV:
$1,598
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Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles LAX to Palm Springs or San Diego by Minibus:
$569
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Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles LAX to Palm Springs/San Diego by Luxury Car:
$524
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LOS ANGELES to Palm Springs Airport (PSP) - Departure Private Transfer:
$485
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Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles LAX to Palm Springs/San Diego by Exec. SUV:
$480
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Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles LAX to Palm Springs or San Diego by SUV:
$453
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Los Angeles Private Transfer To Coechella Valley, CA.:
$439
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Private Transfer - LAX Airport to San Diego/ Las Vegas in a Luxurious SUV:
$420
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San Diego Private Transfer From Hollywood or Burbank.:
$398
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Los Angeles Private Transfer To Tijuana Border Crossing.:
$398
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sonoma
Also for Sonoma, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private transfer from Sonoma to SFO:
$215
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Private transfer from SFO to Sonoma:
$215
Is it cheaper to fly into Los Angeles or Sonoma?
Prices for flights to both Sonoma and Los Angeles 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Los Angeles can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $64 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Sonoma can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $13 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Los Angeles
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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1 Hour Instagram Pics Hollywood Sign Tour:
$39
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10-Minute Hollywood Sign Helicopter Tour:
$124
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15 mins Driving Tour in a Ferrari California T spider in hollywood:
$69
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1HOUR FERRARI CALIFORNIA driving Tour from Hollywood to Beverly Hills:
$300
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2 Hour Celebrity Homes Tour:
$39
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2 Hour Venice Beach Bike Tour:
$61
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2 hour Horseback Riding Tour near the Hollywood Sign with Transportation:
$127
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2-Hour Hollywood Bike Tour:
$60
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2-Hour Hollywood Walking and Hiking Tour with Skyline Views:
$34
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3 Hour Hollywood to Beverly Hills small group Tour:
$41
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3 Hour Venice Beach Bike Tour:
$71
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3 Hours Los Angeles VIP Tour:
$49
Tours and Activities in Sonoma
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sonoma.
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#1 Private Walking Food, Wine & History Tour:
$139
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6 Hour Private Wine Sonoma Tours Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passengers Van:
$499
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All-Inclusive Sonoma Wine and Picnic Tour:
$198
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Behind-the-Scenes Food and Wine E-Bike or Regular Bike Tour:
$151
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Pt. Reyes Food and Farm Tour with Lunch:
$225
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Rides by me, Sonoma Sidecar Wine-Tasting tours:
$220
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Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour through Sonoma Valley:
$130
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Sonoma County Wine Segway Tour:
$151
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Sonoma Food and Wine Private Group Tour:
$138
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Sonoma Valley Full-Day Pedal Assist Bike Tour with Lunch - (Reg. Bike Optional):
$151
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Sonoma Valley Wine Buyer's Picnic Tour:
$125
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Los Angeles spend on average $11 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Sonoma, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $33.
Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:
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Brews Cruise- DTLA Brewery tour by bike:
$50
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Brewery Walking Tour -- Downtown / Arts District:
$81
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Malibu: Exclusive Wine Tasting and Falconry Experience:
$109
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Malibu: Vintage VW Hippie Sightseeing Tour with Wine Tasting:
$139
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Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Day Tour from Los Angeles:
$249
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Los Angeles Wine Tour:
$250
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The Private Malibu Wine Tour:
$419
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Food and Wine Tasting Party:
$750
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Private Tour: Malibu Wine Tasting for Two by Limousine from Los Angeles:
$999
Sample the Local Flavors in Sonoma
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sonoma:
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2-Hour Private Guided E-Trike Wine Tour at Sonoma:
$80
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Sonoma County Wine Tasting Tour:
$103
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#1 Small Group Sonoma Walking Food and Wine Tour:
$105
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All-Inclusive Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch:
$198
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Private Sonoma and Napa Wine Tour Including Custom Concierge:
$225
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Wine Tours:
$513
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6 Hour Napa or Sonoma Wine Tour in Private Limousine:
$675
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8-Hour Private Wine Tour Experience for up to 6 Guests - San Francisco to Sonoma:
$680
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8 Hour Napa or Sonoma Wine Tour in Private Limousine:
$875
When comparing the travel costs between Los Angeles and Sonoma, we can see that Los Angeles is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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