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

Should you visit Rotterdam or San Diego?

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 Rotterdam and San Diego. 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.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a trendy, high energy, and modern port city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

San Diego

San Diego is a relaxed, outdoorsy, and idyllic 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. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Rotterdam and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or San Diego?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Diego than Rotterdam, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Diego is more popular for its museums, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Rotterdam is known for its shopping and big city activities. San Diego is more touristy than Rotterdam 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. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Diego is great for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Rotterdam and San Diego can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Rotterdam is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

San Diego offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Rotterdam or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Rotterdam and San Diego.

Many people head to Rotterdam for the nightlife scene. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

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 Rotterdam or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is great for its music scene. However, Rotterdam is not a live music destination.

The music scene in San Diego draws a good crowd. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Rotterdam is not a live music destination.

Is Rotterdam or San Diego Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

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

San Diego is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Rotterdam or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for the beach. However, Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

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.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Rotterdam or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is great for hiking. However, Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to San Diego for the hiking trails. 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.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or San Diego?

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

Rotterdam is well-known for its shopping. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

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 Rotterdam or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, San Diego is very family-friendly. 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.

Rotterdam is a very family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Is Rotterdam or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

San Diego is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

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

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and San Diego are good places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

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 Rotterdam or San Diego Better for Students?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

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.

Rotterdam is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

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

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

The public transit in Rotterdam can get you around easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

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 Rotterdam or San Diego a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is great 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.

Rotterdam is a very walkable port city. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable port 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 Rotterdam Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or San Diego?

In either Rotterdam or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than Rotterdam because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

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

People visit Rotterdam because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rotterdam has to offer. 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 Rotterdam or San Diego?

People visit Rotterdam because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the relaxed 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 Rotterdam or San Diego?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the modern port city of Rotterdam. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the dynamic 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 Rotterdam or San Diego?

Rotterdam 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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotterdam and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Rotterdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotterdam is in Europe and San Diego is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rotterdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or San Diego?

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

Both San Diego and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

In July, Rotterdam is generally cooler than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rotterdam. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during summer. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than San Diego. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rotterdam or San Diego in the Autumn?

Both San Diego and Rotterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Rotterdam is much colder than San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or San Diego in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and San Diego. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during winter. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than San Diego. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rotterdam or San Diego in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as San Diego. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Rotterdam is generally much colder than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the spring, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Rotterdam