A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Pasadena for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena?

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 Martha's Vineyard and Pasadena. 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.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a quaint, charming, and picturesque city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Martha's Vineyard and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard. Although Martha's Vineyard and Pasadena are popular destinations, Martha's Vineyard has more sights and attractions for tourists. Martha's Vineyard is very popular for its resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Pasadena attracts visitors for its museums and nightlife. Martha's Vineyard is more touristy than Pasadena and is popular for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. It is also well known for the Aquinnah Cliffs. Pasadena is famous for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena?

Pasadena is a great city for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Pasadena. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Martha's Vineyard and Pasadena can be difficult as they are each excellent in their own way.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Pasadena makes for a great culinary experience. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Pasadena has something for everybody. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for its resorts. However, Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Martha's Vineyard for its luxury resorts. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is notable for the beach. However, Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Martha's Vineyard for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena Better for Hiking?

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

Martha's Vineyard offers some nice hiking trails. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena?

If you're looking to go shopping, Martha's Vineyard and Pasadena both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Pasadena is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena Better for Families?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Pasadena are nice family-friendly destinations.

Martha's Vineyard offers lots of family activities. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Pasadena is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for couples. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Martha's Vineyard is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pasadena is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its public transit.

While Pasadena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Public transit is generally limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Martha's Vineyard and Pasadena are nice when it comes to walkability.

Martha's Vineyard is a somewhat walkable island. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Martha's Vineyard?

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Martha's Vineyard and Pasadena. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pasadena than Martha's Vineyard 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 Pasadena.

One day in Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Pasadena, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Martha's Vineyard, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With museums and nightlife around the quaint city of Pasadena, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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 entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the picturesque destination of Pasadena. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena?

Martha's Vineyard is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

Pasadena is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and Martha's Vineyard during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

Martha's Vineyard is around the same temperature as Pasadena in the summer. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Martha's Vineyard gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Martha's Vineyard and Pasadena. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pasadena for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Martha's Vineyard is much colder than Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Pasadena averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In October, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Martha's Vineyard as well as Pasadena. Many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Pasadena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Martha's Vineyard. In January, Martha's Vineyard is generally much colder than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Martha's Vineyard average around 28°F (-2°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in January than Pasadena. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Martha's Vineyard is much colder than Pasadena in the spring. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In April, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Martha's Vineyard