A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Naples vs. San Diego for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Naples 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 Naples 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.

Naples

Naples is a peaceful, nature-filled, and relaxing beach town. Naples is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Naples travel costs.

San Diego

San Diego is a energetic, relaxed, and outdoorsy coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. San Diego offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See San Diego travel costs.

Naples and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Naples or San Diego?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Diego. Although Naples and San Diego are both popular with visitors, San Diego has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. San Diego is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, hiking, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Naples is known for its resorts. San Diego is more touristy than Naples and is known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. It is also home to The San Diego Zoo. Naples is popular for its white sand, blue water, water sports, and golf resorts.

How is Naples different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Diego is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Naples is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most visitors spend most of their time at the beach, on a rainy day you can check out the town's art museums, history museums, or local spots such as the Palm Cottage.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Naples and San Diego.

Naples has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood is a favorite around town, but you'll also find plenty of Italian food. Everything from casual to fine dining is available with many local favorites to choose from.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, San Diego makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Naples or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

San Diego is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

San Diego has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Naples has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are live music venues, cocktail bars, and dance clubs around town.

Is Naples or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Naples is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, San Diego has diverse options. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Naples is not a live music destination.

Is Naples or San Diego Better for Resorts?

Naples is great for its luxury resorts. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Naples to choose from. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly hotels, and a range of prices to choose from. Most have pools and many have oceanfront views with golf facilities available. Many of the major brands such as Marriott are found here.

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 Naples or San Diego Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Both Naples and San Diego offer good scuba diving or snorkeling.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Naples. Snorkeling and scuba diving are both available in the area, in part because of the impressive artificial reefs that have been constructed. Snorkeling is available at Tigertail Beach, Clam Pass, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Is Naples or San Diego Better for Beaches?

Both Naples and San Diego are considered to be fantastic beach destinations.

Naples is considered to be a world-class beach destination. White sand beaches and calm Gulf waters make this an ideal beach destination. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is a favorite beach spot in the area, but you should also check out Naples Municipal Beach which is where you'll find the Naples Pier. If you want a more natural setting, head to Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park.

San Diego offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Is Naples or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting San Diego. 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.

Naples offers some nice hiking trails. The area is filled with state parks and nature reserves where you can explore and enjoy a scenic hike. There are also greenways and coastal paths nearby.

Is the Shopping Better in Naples or San Diego?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Naples and San Diego.

Naples has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find shopping centers, outlet malls, and plenty of retail space around town. Some of the favorite shopping spots are the Mercato, Coastland Center, and Waterside Shops. For souvenirs and beach items head to Tin City Waterfront Shops.

San Diego is a great destination for 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 Naples or San Diego More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of good scenery and beauty in both Naples and San Diego.

Naples offers plenty of beauty for visitors. White sand beaches and beautiful water make this a relaxing and scenic destination.

San Diego is a gorgeous place to visit. Many people enjoy city's beautiful coastline and surrounding natural beauty.

Is Naples or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Naples is a very family-friendly place to visit. You'll find relaxing beaches, nice parks, plenty of playgrounds, and even the Golisano Childrens Museum for rainy days. There are also nature centers with great walks as well as gardens and wildlife viewpoints.

Is Naples or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is renowned for couples. Also, Naples is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Couples visit Naples frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautiful beaches and relaxing spas make this a favorite couples destination. Golf, high end restaurants and plenty of romantic activities will ensure you have the anniversary trip or honeymoon to remember.

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

Naples and San Diego are both good destinations for backpackers.

Naples is a good beach town to visit for backpackers. There's a hostel or two in the area as well as cheaper accommodation than other parts of Florida.

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 Naples or San Diego Better for Students?

San Diego is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Naples is not popular with 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.

Naples is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Naples and San Diego.

Public transit is mostly limited in Naples. There's a trolley system as well as a public bus system.

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 Naples or San Diego a more walkable city?

Naples and San Diego are good when it comes to walkability.

Naples is a somewhat walkable beach town. The downtown area is relatively walkable, but to fully explore the region you'll need your own car.

San Diego is somewhat walkable. 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 Naples Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Naples?

How long in Naples or San Diego?

In either Naples or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, San Diego has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in San Diego than Naples. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Naples, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

Families should spend more time in San Diego than Naples. 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 Naples. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Diego than Naples 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 San Diego.

One day in Naples or San Diego?

You'll find nightlife and food around the beach town of Naples. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. 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 Naples or San Diego?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the peaceful destination of Naples. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer. This beach town 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 Naples or San Diego?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the relaxing beach town of Naples. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this beach town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer.

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 Naples or San Diego?

Naples is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 fun-filled 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 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 Naples and San Diego, we can see that Naples 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 Naples would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Naples than you might in San Diego.

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

Which is Bigger, Naples or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Naples. When comparing the sizes of Naples 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.