A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Pasadena vs. Kailua-Kona for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pasadena or Kailua-Kona?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pasadena and Kailua-Kona. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Pasadena or Kailua-Kona?

Pasadena

Pasadena, California is adjacent to Los Angeles and is probably most famous as the host for the New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football game. As such, it has become known as the City of Roses. Year around Pasadena is known to have a vibrant night life. It has a great Old Town area that has impressive shopping and many excellent restaurants. It's also home to the California Institute of Technology and has many museums, theaters, and independent films that make it a cultural haven for the area. Also make sure you visit the Huntington Library which has an impressive art collection and over 150 acres of botanical gardens. It's been featured in several Hollywood Films.

Kailua-Kona

Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pasadena Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pasadena or Kailua-Kona?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Pasadena and Kailua-Kona, 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 Pasadena or Kailua-Kona?

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 Pasadena or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?

Both Kailua-Kona and Pasadena are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Pasadena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pasadena is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pasadena in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (25°C).

In July, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Pasadena gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pasadena or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?

Both Kailua-Kona and Pasadena during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Pasadena for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Pasadena is generally cooler than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Pasadena average around 68°F (20°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

Pasadena usually gets less rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Pasadena gets 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pasadena or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pasadena and Kailua-Kona. The winter months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Pasadena is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the winter. The daily temperature in Pasadena averages around 56°F (13°C) in January, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

Kailua-Kona receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Pasadena gets 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pasadena or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pasadena as well as Kailua-Kona.

In the spring, Pasadena is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pasadena in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (24°C).

Pasadena usually gets less rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Pasadena gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Pasadena