A Travel Price Comparison for California Sacramento vs. San Diego for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Sacramento or San Diego?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sacramento or San Diego, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Sacramento or San Diego?

Sacramento

Sacramento is the capital city and one of the oldest cities in the state of California. It was founded in 1849 in the midst of the Gold Rush, and has since grown to a population of over 500,000 people. The atmosphere is more laid back than most major cities, and its heritage is rooted in the Gold Rush and Transcontinental Railroad era.

San Diego

For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.

Which city is cheaper, San Diego or Sacramento?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sacramento is $225, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $161. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sacramento and San Diego in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sacramento $88
    San Diego $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sacramento $176
    San Diego $182
Compare Hotels in Sacramento and San Diego

Looking for a hotel in Sacramento or San Diego? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Sacramento


Hotels in San Diego


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sacramento Hotel Prices and San Diego Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sacramento $41
    San Diego $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sacramento

Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $455
  • Private transfer from Sacramento to SFO: $340
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $228
  • Private Sacramento Transfer Airport to Hotel: $150
  • Private Sacramento Transfer Hotel to Airport: $150
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address- RoundTrip Private Transfer: $144
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Sacramento Executive Airport to Roseville City - One Way: $144
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Sacramento Executive Airport to Sacramento City - One Way: $73
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
  • Sacramento City to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer: $72

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego

Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from San Diego International Airport to San Diego: $62
  • Tijuana Border Crossing Private Transfer To Los Angeles.: $398
  • SAN Airport Private Transfer: $77
  • San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $357
  • San Diego to Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $342
  • San Diego hotel/address to San Diego Airport (SAN) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
  • San Diego Private Transfer To Palm Springs.: $398
  • San Diego Private Transfer To N. Hollywood/Burbank area.: $398
  • San Diego Private Transfer To Los Angeles.: $389
  • San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego hotel/address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $119
  • San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
  • Private transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport (SAN): $622

Is it cheaper to fly into Sacramento or San Diego?

Prices for flights to both San Diego and Sacramento change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sacramento $42
    San Diego $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sacramento

For Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour: $82
  • Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour: $85

Typical Food prices in San Diego

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:


  • Mexican Lunch for Two
    $27
  • Breakfast at Starbucks
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego

For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • San Diego North Park Food Tour: $49
  • Liberty Station Food Tour: $49
  • Market and Guacamole Cooking Class in Tijuana Mexico: $89
  • Private Cooking Demonstration of Indian Fusion Cuisine in San Diego: $96
  • Farmers Market Tour & Social Cooking With A Chef: $100
  • San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours San Diego: $129
  • Secret Food Tours San Diego w/ Private Tour Option: $277

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sacramento $15
    San Diego $38

Tours and Activities in Sacramento

For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • California Gold Rush: The Sacramento Grid on a Self-Guided Bicycle Audio Tour: $8.30
  • Sacramento Historic River Cruise: $30
  • Sacramento Historic River Cruise: $20
  • Sacramento Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Sacramento Sutter District History and Food Walking Tour: $78
  • Sacramento Urban Murals: Cycle the streets of Sacramento with an audio tour: $5.00
  • Rock The Yacht River Cruise: $33

Typical Entertainment prices in San Diego

For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • San Diego Zoo
    $15
  • Sea World Parking
    $12

Tours and Activities in San Diego

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.

  • 1-Hour Voodoo Escape Room Experience in San Diego: $35
  • 1Hr GPS Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter: $63
  • 2 Hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour for Two: $77
  • 4 Hour Whale Watching/Eco Adventure: $163
  • Affordable, Luxury Sailing Tour of San Diego's Bay and Coastal Waterways: $112
  • All Day San Diego City and Shopping Tour: $95
  • All Inclusive Beer Tour-Party bus: $169
  • Behind-the-Scenes at Petco Park Tour: $23
  • Brothels, Bites and Booze: A Culinary Tour of San Diego's Questionable Past: $69
  • Catamaran Sailing Cruise on San Diego Bay for up to 12 Guests: $1,200
  • Catamaran Sailing Cruise on San Diego Bay for up to 6 Guests: $600
  • Coastal Beauty - Private Sunset & Night Photography Tour: $455

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sacramento $9.31
    San Diego $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Sacramento

Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Sacramento Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl: $12
  • Bk Best Wine Tasting Tours Amador County 4 Hour Chevrolet Suburban Passengers 7: $385
  • 4 Hour Private Amador County Wine Tasting Tours Mercedes Sprinter Passengers Van: $409
  • Amador Wine Tour from Sacramento: $436
  • 6 Hour Wine Tasting Tours Napa Valley Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passengers Van: $625

Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego

Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $12
  • Wine Tasting Or Beer Tasting: $15
  • San Diego Brewery Tour: $85
  • San Diego Micro Brewery Tour: $91
  • The San Diego Downtown Craft Brewery Tour: $95
  • The San Diego Downtown Craft Brewery Tour: $101
  • Private San Diego Brewery Tour: $107
  • All inclusive brewery tour-Fire Truck: $189
  • Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour to Guadalupe Valley from San Diego.: $249
  • Private Wine Tour of Temecula from San Diego: $475

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sacramento and San Diego, we can see that Sacramento 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 Sacramento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sacramento than you might in San Diego.


When is the best time to visit Sacramento 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 Sacramento or San Diego in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sacramento and San Diego. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Sacramento is a little warmer than San Diego in the summer. The temperature in Sacramento is usually 76°F (24°C) in July, and San Diego stays around 71°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than San Diego during summer. Sacramento gets 439 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sacramento usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Diego. Sacramento gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sacramento 76°F (24°C) 
    San Diego 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Sacramento or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sacramento as well as San Diego. Also, most visitors 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 during these months.

In the autumn, Sacramento is cooler than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sacramento in October are around 64°F (18°C), and San Diego is about 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 Sacramento this time of the year. In the autumn, Sacramento often gets more sunshine than San Diego. Sacramento gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.

Sacramento usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Sacramento gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sacramento 64°F (18°C) 
    San Diego 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Sacramento or San Diego in the Winter?

Both San Diego and Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Diego because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Sacramento is generally much colder than San Diego. Temperatures in Sacramento average around 45°F (7°C), and San Diego stays around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. Sacramento usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during winter. Sacramento gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sacramento usually receives more rain than San Diego. Sacramento gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sacramento 45°F (7°C) 
    San Diego 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Sacramento or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego and Sacramento during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

Sacramento is cooler than San Diego in the spring. The temperature in Sacramento is usually 58°F (15°C) in April, and San Diego stays around 62°F (17°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sacramento. In the spring, Sacramento often gets more sunshine than San Diego. Sacramento gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.

Sacramento usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Sacramento gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sacramento 58°F (15°C) 
    San Diego 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for San Diego and Sacramento

Sacramento San Diego
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 45°F (7°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.8 inches (46 mm)
Feb 51°F (10°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 59°F (15°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 59°F (15°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.8 inches (20 mm)
May 65°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 67°F (19°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Jul 76°F (24°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 71°F (22°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 75°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm) 71°F (22°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.5 inches (37 mm)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)


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Sacramento vs. San Diego Travel Comparison

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