A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagano vs. San Diego for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Nagano or San Diego?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and San Diego 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.

Nagano

Nagano is a traditional, alpine, and scenic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

San Diego

San Diego is a dynamic, energetic, and relaxed coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Nagano and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or San Diego?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Diego than Nagano. San Diego is bigger than Nagano, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Diego is better known for its music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and quaint atmosphere, while Nagano is more popular for its skiing, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. San Diego is more touristy than Nagano and is known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. Also, San Diego is famous for The San Diego Zoo. Nagano is well known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.

How is Nagano different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for Skiing?

Nagano is great for skiing. However, San Diego is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Nagano. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

San Diego is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nagano or San Diego?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Nagano and San Diego.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around San Diego. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.

Is the Food Better in Nagano or San Diego? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nagano is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Nagano has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the San Diego area. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find very good options in both Nagano and San Diego.

The nightlife in Nagano has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

San Diego offers plenty to do in the evening. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is a great coastal city for its live music scene. However, Nagano is not a live music destination.

San Diego has a thriving music scene. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Nagano is not a live music destination.

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both Nagano and San Diego have notable options.

With a selection of resorts, Nagano makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

San Diego has a few great resort options. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

San Diego is a coastal city with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nagano is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in San Diego. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.

Nagano is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is terrific for the beache. However, Nagano is not a beach destination.

San Diego is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Nagano is not a beach destination.

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for its Old Town?

Nagano is a good destination for its old town. However, San Diego does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Nagano. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

San Diego does not have a historic old town.

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for Hiking?

Both Nagano and San Diego are destinations which offer very good hiking.

Many visitors go to Nagano for the hiking trails. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

San Diego is a popular spot for hiking. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or San Diego?

If you're looking to go shopping, Nagano and San Diego both offer plenty of notable spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nagano. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Many visitors go to San Diego to go shopping. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

San Diego is an extremely popular coastal city to visit for families. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.

Nagano is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

San Diego is a great coastal city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.

Nagano is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nagano and San Diego are notable places to visit.

Nagano is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Plenty of backpackers visit San Diego. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for Students?

San Diego is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

San Diego is a very popular coastal city for students. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.

Nagano is a good city to visit for students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

Is Nagano or San Diego Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nagano is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, San Diego is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Nagano offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Public transit is generally limited in San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.

Is Nagano or San Diego a more walkable city?

Nagano and San Diego are notable when it comes to walkability.

Nagano is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable city. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.

For even more information, also check out Is Nagano Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or San Diego?

In either Nagano or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than Nagano because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

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

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

One day in Nagano or San Diego?

You'll find skiing and nightlife around the city of Nagano. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nagano has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of San Diego. 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.

A weekend in Nagano or San Diego?

You'll find nightlife and food around the alpine destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

San Diego is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Nagano or San Diego?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the alpine city of Nagano. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Diego. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Nagano or San Diego?

Nagano is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic destination of San Diego. This coastal city 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, 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 Nagano and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Nagano much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nagano is in Asia and San Diego is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Nagano would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagano 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego than you might in Nagano.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and San Diego, 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 Nagano or San Diego?

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 Nagano or San Diego in the Summer?

Both San Diego and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nagano is a little warmer than San Diego in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than San Diego. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or San Diego in the Autumn?

Both San Diego and Nagano during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Diego in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nagano is cooler than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and San Diego averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Nagano often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or San Diego in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and San Diego. Many visitors come to Nagano in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Nagano can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Nagano is generally much colder than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Nagano, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than San Diego. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or San Diego in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nagano as well as San Diego. Most visitors come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Nagano is cooler than San Diego in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the spring, Nagano often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Nagano