A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rome vs. San Diego for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Music

Should you visit Rome 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 Rome 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.

Rome

Rome is a archeological, bustling, and fun-filled city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

San Diego

San Diego is a fun-filled, hip, and dynamic coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Rome and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rome or San Diego?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than San Diego, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while San Diego is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and quaint atmosphere. Rome is popular for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also home to The Colosseum. San Diego is popular for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools.

The Colosseum

How is Rome different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rome is renowned for its historical sights. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Rome are world-renowned. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

San Diego offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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

Rome is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Rome, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the San Diego area. 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 Rome or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

Rome is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

Rome is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

San Diego has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Rome or San Diego Better for Music?

Rome 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 Rome. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

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 Rome or San Diego Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a coastal city with good options for its resorts. However, Rome is not a resort destination.

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.

Rome is not a resort destination.

Is Rome or San Diego Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Rome is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Rome or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Rome 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.

Rome is not a beach destination.

Is Rome or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Rome is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Rome is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rome or San Diego?

Rome is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Rome draws large crowds to its stores. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

Many visitors go to San Diego to go 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 Rome or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-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.

Rome is a very family-friendly destination. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Is Rome or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Rome is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

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

Rome is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Rome is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

Plenty of budget travelers 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 Rome or San Diego Better for Students?

Rome and San Diego are fantastic places to visit for students.

Rome is a very popular city for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

San Diego is a very popular place to visit 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.

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

Rome is renowned for times when you don't have a car. However, San Diego is not a good destination for its public transit.

Rome has a great public transit system. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

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 Rome or San Diego a more walkable city?

Rome is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its ease of walking around.

Rome is a very easy city to get around on foot. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable city. 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 Rome Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Rome?

How long in Rome or San Diego?

In either Rome or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than San Diego because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Rome, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

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

One day in Rome or San Diego?

People visit Rome because there is so much to do. 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of San Diego. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Rome or San Diego?

People visit Rome because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

San Diego is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Rome or San Diego?

People visit Rome because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the dynamic destination of San Diego. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Rome or San Diego?

Rome is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rome, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The hip coastal city of San Diego offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Rome and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Rome is in Europe and San Diego is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Rome or San Diego?

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

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 Rome or San Diego in the Summer?

Both San Diego and Rome during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rome this time of year. Furthermore, 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, Rome is generally a little warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 25°C (77°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rome. In the summer, Rome often gets more sunshine than San Diego. Rome gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.

Rome usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and San Diego. Many travelers come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. 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.

Rome is cooler than San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. Rome usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during autumn. Rome gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rome usually receives more rain than San Diego. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rome or San Diego in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rome as well as San Diego. Many visitors come to Rome in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Rome is much colder than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rome in January average around 8°C (47°F), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the winter, Rome often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Rome gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.

Rome usually gets more rain in January than San Diego. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rome or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Rome is generally cooler than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 14°C (57°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. Rome usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during spring. Rome gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rome usually receives more rain than San Diego. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Rome