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

Should you visit Nashville 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 Nashville 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.

Nashville

Nashville is a southern, country music lovers, and eclectic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

San Diego

San Diego is a idyllic, fun-filled, and hip coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Nashville and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nashville or San Diego?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Diego than Nashville. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. San Diego is very popular for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Nashville attracts visitors for its music. San Diego is more touristy than Nashville 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 well known for The San Diego Zoo. Nashville is famous for its influence in country music and its many live music venues.

How is Nashville different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Diego is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Nashville 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.

Nashville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Nashville and San Diego both to be nice destinations.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in San Diego. 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 Nashville or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Nashville and San Diego.

Nashville has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

San Diego is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Nashville or San Diego Better for Music?

Nashville is renowned for its live music scene. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its music scene.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Nashville. The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in San Diego. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Is Nashville or San Diego Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both Nashville and San Diego have nice options.

Nashville has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

With a selection of resorts, San Diego makes a nice vacation spot. 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 Nashville or San Diego Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

San Diego is a coastal city with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Nashville 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.

Nashville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nashville or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Nashville 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.

Nashville is not a beach destination.

Is Nashville or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Nashville is not a hiking destination.

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.

Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nashville or San Diego?

San Diego is a coastal city with good options for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in San Diego. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.

Is Nashville or San Diego Better for Christmas?

Nashville is a good destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, San Diego does not offer Christmas activities.

Christmas holiday activities are popular when visiting Nashville. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

San Diego does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Nashville or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nashville 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nashville. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

Is Nashville or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Nashville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.

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

Nashville and San Diego are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Nashville is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

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 Nashville or San Diego Better for Students?

San Diego is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Nashville is lacking in good options 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.

Nashville is a decent spot for students. Several universities bring in international students, but the city is smaller and it isn't the most popular student destination in America.

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

San Diego is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly 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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.

Is Nashville or San Diego a more walkable city?

San Diego is a coastal city with good options for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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.

Nashville is not a walkable city. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Nashville?

How long in Nashville or San Diego?

In either Nashville or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than Nashville because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nashville, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

Families should spend more time in San Diego than Nashville. 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 Nashville. 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 Nashville 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 Nashville or San Diego?

You'll find food and museums around the city of Nashville. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal city of San Diego. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

A weekend in Nashville or San Diego?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the eclectic destination of Nashville. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of San Diego. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nashville or San Diego?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the southern city of Nashville. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the outdoorsy coastal city of San Diego. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer.

A week in Nashville or San Diego?

Nashville is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

San Diego is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nashville or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Nashville. When comparing the sizes of Nashville 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 Nashville 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 Nashville or San Diego in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nashville and San Diego. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nashville 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.

In the summer, Nashville is a little warmer than San Diego. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nashville in July average around 81°F (27°C), and San Diego averages at about 71°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nashville usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during summer. Nashville gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nashville usually receives more rain than San Diego. Nashville gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nashville or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nashville as well as San Diego. Many travelers come to Nashville for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, 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 October, Nashville is generally cooler than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Nashville average around 62°F (17°C), and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In the autumn, Nashville often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Nashville gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.

Nashville usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Nashville gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nashville or San Diego in the Winter?

Both San Diego and Nashville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nashville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Nashville can get quite cold in the winter. Nashville is much colder than San Diego in the winter. The daily temperature in Nashville averages around 38°F (4°C) in January, and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. Nashville usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during winter. Nashville gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nashville usually receives more rain than San Diego. Nashville gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nashville or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego and Nashville during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nashville for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nashville is around the same temperature as San Diego. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nashville in April average around 62°F (16°C), and San Diego averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nashville. In the spring, Nashville often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Nashville gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nashville. Nashville usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Nashville gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Nashville