A Travel Price Comparison for California Napa Valley vs. Palm Springs for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Napa Valley or Palm Springs?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Napa Valley and Palm Springs 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: Napa Valley or Palm Springs?

Napa Valley

Napa Valley, in the Bay Area of California, is a popular destination for its wineries and beautiful scenery. The area, referred to as Wine Country, is just north of San Francisco and makes for a great day or weekend trip. Many honeymooners visit the area for its romantic setting and popular bed and breakfasts. The best time to visit is during the months of September and October when the grapes are wipe. This time is referred to as the harvest "crush." The summer months are also a popular time but the crowds are often overwhelming.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a desert resort town located about two hours east of Los Angeles, most famously known as Hollywood's playground, where stars and starlets could escape for rest and relaxation but still be close enough to return for impromptu work.

It's no wonder that Palm Springs is increasingly popular as a weekend getaway for special occasions, and even for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Closer than the typical Las Vegas weekend for Southern California residents, Palm Springs provides a desert getaway with endless possibilities of activities, whether visitors want to gamble, shop, hike, or wander through an art gallery.

Climate in the high-desert is generally warm with highs in the 100s during the hot and dry summers, and lows in the mid 40s in the winter months, with sparse rainfall. However, if you're visiting during winter, be sure to pack versatile attire and layers as the days may be warm, but the nights in the low desert can get chilly enough to convince you to change into long pants.

Which city is cheaper, Palm Springs or Napa Valley?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Napa Valley is $230, while the average daily cost in Palm Springs is $165. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Napa Valley and Palm Springs in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Napa Valley $101
    Palm Springs $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Napa Valley $202
    Palm Springs $192
Compare Hotels in Napa Valley and Palm Springs

Looking for a hotel in Napa Valley or Palm Springs? 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 Napa Valley


Hotels in Palm Springs


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: Napa Valley Hotel Prices and Palm Springs Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Napa Valley $146
    Palm Springs $42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palm Springs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palm Springs:

  • Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to LOS ANGELES - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $970
  • Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to SANTA ANA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $729
  • Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to ONTARIO -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $597
  • Departure Private Transfer Palm Springs/San Diego to Los Angeles LAX by Minibus: $556
  • Departure Private Transfer Palm Springs/San Diego to Los Angeles LAX by Luxury C: $524
  • Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to LOS ANGELES - Arrival Private Transfer: $485
  • Departure Private Transfer Palm Springs/San Diego to Los Angeles LAX by Exec SUV: $467
  • Departure Private Transfer Palm Springs or San Diego to Los Angeles LAX by SUV: $440
  • Palm Springs Private Transfer To San Diego, CA.: $398
  • Departure Private Transfer Palm Springs or San Diego to Los Angeles LAX by Sedan: $378
  • Los Angeles Private Transfer From Palm Springs.: $375
  • Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to SANTA ANA - Arrival Private Transfer: $365

Is it cheaper to fly into Napa Valley or Palm Springs?

Prices for flights to both Palm Springs and Napa Valley 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
    Napa Valley $50
    Palm Springs $42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Napa Valley

For Napa Valley, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Napa Valley Wine Train: Vista Dome Lunch or Dinner: $260

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palm Springs

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palm Springs.

  • Private French-Inspired Cooking Class with a Fun Local: $72

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Napa Valley $22
    Palm Springs $23

Tours and Activities in Napa Valley

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

  • From San Francisco: Napa Valley Beer Breweries Private Tour: $610

Tours and Activities in Palm Springs

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

  • Indian Canyons Walking Tour by Jeep from Palm Desert: $250
  • Indian Canyons Walking Tour by Jeep from Palm Springs: $250
  • Joshua Tree National Park: Driving Tour: $179
  • Modern & More Bike Tours Palm Springs: $55
  • Mods & Icons Tour of Palm Springs: $127
  • Palm Springs All-City Tour: $323
  • Palm Springs Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $29
  • Palm Springs Windmill Self-Driving Tour Interactive Fun Safe: $49
  • Indian Canyons Bike and Hike Adventure: $119
  • Indian Canyons Hiking Tour by Jeep: $175
  • Playground of the Stars Palm Springs Tour: $323
  • Private Golden Days Tour of Palm Springs: $323

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Napa Valley $53
    Palm Springs $10

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Napa Valley or Palm Springs?

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 Napa Valley or Palm Springs in the Summer?

Both Palm Springs and Napa Valley during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Napa Valley is around the same temperature as Palm Springs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Napa Valley in July are around 73°F (23°C), and Palm Springs is about 73°F (23°C).

Napa Valley usually gets more rain in July than Palm Springs. Napa Valley gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Napa Valley 73°F (23°C) 
    Palm Springs 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Napa Valley or Palm Springs in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Napa Valley and Palm Springs.

In October, Napa Valley is generally cooler than Palm Springs. Temperatures in Napa Valley average around 62°F (17°C), and Palm Springs stays around 69°F (20°C).

In October, Napa Valley usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Napa Valley gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Napa Valley 62°F (17°C) 
    Palm Springs 69°F (20°C)

Should I visit Napa Valley or Palm Springs in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Napa Valley as well as Palm Springs.

Napa Valley is much colder than Palm Springs in the winter. The temperature in Napa Valley is usually 46°F (8°C) in January, and Palm Springs stays around 57°F (14°C).

Napa Valley usually gets more rain in January than Palm Springs. Napa Valley gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Napa Valley 46°F (8°C) 
    Palm Springs 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Napa Valley or Palm Springs in the Spring?

Both Palm Springs and Napa Valley are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Napa Valley is cooler than Palm Springs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Napa Valley in April are around 56°F (13°C), and Palm Springs is about 62°F (17°C).

In April, Napa Valley usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Napa Valley gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Napa Valley 56°F (13°C) 
    Palm Springs 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Palm Springs and Napa Valley

Napa Valley Palm Springs
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2 inches (52 mm)
Feb 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 58°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Apr 56°F (13°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm)
May 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Jun 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm) 74°F (24°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Sep 70°F (21°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Dec 46°F (8°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)


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Napa Valley vs. Palm Springs Travel Comparison

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