A Travel Price Comparison for California Napa Valley vs. San Diego for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Napa Valley 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 Napa Valley 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.

Where Should I go: Napa Valley or San Diego?

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.

San Diego

For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.

Which city is cheaper, San Diego 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 San Diego is $161. 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 San Diego in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Napa Valley $101
    San Diego $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Napa Valley $202
    San Diego $182
Compare Hotels in Napa Valley and San Diego

Looking for a hotel in Napa Valley or San Diego? 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 San Diego


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 San Diego Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Napa Valley $146
    San Diego $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego

Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport (SAN): $622
  • Private transfer: San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego: $622
  • San Diego Private Transfer To N. Hollywood/Burbank area.: $398
  • Tijuana Border Crossing Private Transfer To Los Angeles.: $398
  • San Diego Private Transfer To Palm Springs.: $398
  • Private Transfer from San Diego to Hollywood Burbank: $397
  • San Diego Private Transfer To Los Angeles.: $389
  • San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $357
  • San Diego to Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $342
  • Private Transfer From San Diego To Orange County.: $298
  • Private San Diego Transfer: Cruise Port to Airport or Hotel: $192
  • Private San Diego Transfer: Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Napa Valley or San Diego?

Prices for flights to both San Diego 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
    San Diego $36

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

Typical Food prices in San Diego

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


  • Mexican Lunch for Two
    $27
  • Breakfast at Starbucks
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego

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

  • San Diego North Park Food Tour: $49
  • Liberty Station Food Tour: $49
  • Market and Guacamole Cooking Class in Tijuana Mexico: $89
  • Private Cooking Demonstration of Indian Fusion Cuisine in San Diego: $96
  • Farmers Market Tour & Social Cooking With A Chef: $100
  • San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours San Diego: $129
  • Secret Food Tours San Diego w/ Private Tour Option: $277

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Napa Valley $22
    San Diego $38

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

Typical Entertainment prices in San Diego

For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • San Diego Zoo
    $15
  • Sea World Parking
    $12

Tours and Activities in San Diego

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.

  • 1-Hour Voodoo Escape Room Experience in San Diego: $35
  • 1Hr GPS Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter: $63
  • 2 Hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour for Two: $77
  • 4 Hour Whale Watching/Eco Adventure: $163
  • Affordable, Luxury Sailing Tour of San Diego's Bay and Coastal Waterways: $112
  • All Day San Diego City and Shopping Tour: $95
  • All Inclusive Beer Tour-Party bus: $169
  • Behind-the-Scenes at Petco Park Tour: $23
  • Brothels, Bites and Booze: A Culinary Tour of San Diego's Questionable Past: $69
  • Catamaran Sailing Cruise on San Diego Bay for up to 12 Guests: $1,200
  • Catamaran Sailing Cruise on San Diego Bay for up to 6 Guests: $600
  • Coastal Beauty - Private Sunset & Night Photography Tour: $455

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Napa Valley $53
    San Diego $17

Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego

Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $12
  • Wine Tasting Or Beer Tasting: $15
  • San Diego Brewery Tour: $85
  • San Diego Micro Brewery Tour: $91
  • The San Diego Downtown Craft Brewery Tour: $95
  • The San Diego Downtown Craft Brewery Tour: $101
  • Private San Diego Brewery Tour: $107
  • All inclusive brewery tour-Fire Truck: $189
  • Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour to Guadalupe Valley from San Diego.: $249
  • Private Wine Tour of Temecula from San Diego: $475

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Napa Valley and San Diego, we can see that Napa Valley is more expensive. And not only is San Diego much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Diego would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Diego 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 San Diego.


When is the best time to visit Napa Valley 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 Napa Valley or San Diego in the Summer?

Both San Diego and Napa Valley are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Napa Valley is generally around the same temperature as San Diego. Temperatures in Napa Valley average around 73°F (23°C), and San Diego stays around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Napa Valley. Napa Valley usually receives more sunshine than San Diego during summer. Napa Valley gets 439 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Napa Valley usually receives more rain than San Diego. Napa Valley gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Napa Valley 73°F (23°C) 
    San Diego 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Napa Valley or San Diego in the Autumn?

Both San Diego and Napa Valley during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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.

Napa Valley is cooler than San Diego in the autumn. The temperature in Napa Valley is usually 62°F (17°C) in October, and San Diego stays around 68°F (20°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Napa Valley. In the autumn, Napa Valley often gets more sunshine than San Diego. Napa Valley gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.

Napa Valley usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Napa Valley gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Napa Valley 62°F (17°C) 
    San Diego 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Napa Valley or San Diego in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Napa Valley is much colder than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Napa Valley in January are around 46°F (8°C), and San Diego is about 57°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. Napa Valley usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during winter. Napa Valley gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Napa Valley usually receives more rain than San Diego. Napa Valley gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


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

Should I visit Napa Valley or San Diego in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Napa Valley as well as San Diego. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Napa Valley is generally cooler than San Diego. Temperatures in Napa Valley average around 56°F (13°C), and San Diego stays around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Napa Valley this time of the year. In the spring, Napa Valley often gets more sunshine than San Diego. Napa Valley gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.

Napa Valley usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Napa Valley gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Typical Weather for San Diego and Napa Valley

Napa Valley San Diego
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.8 inches (46 mm)
Feb 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 59°F (15°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 59°F (15°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Apr 56°F (13°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.8 inches (20 mm)
May 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 67°F (19°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 71°F (22°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 70°F (21°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 71°F (22°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Nov 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.5 inches (37 mm)
Dec 46°F (8°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)


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Napa Valley vs. San Diego Travel Comparison

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