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

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Should you visit Sacramento or Sonoma?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sacramento or Sonoma, 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 Sonoma?

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.

Sonoma

When people say Sonoma, they are often referring to the region's wine country, but in fact, Sonoma is a county, a valley, and a town. The county covers 1,768 square miles and is more spread out than nearby Napa. There are more than 30 cities and towns in the county and 425 wineries with tasting rooms. The county also borders the Pacific Ocean, and the beautiful 55 mile stretch of coastline is rugged and dramatic.

Which city is cheaper, Sonoma 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 Sonoma is $176. 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 Sonoma in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sacramento $88
    Sonoma $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sacramento $176
    Sonoma $148
Compare Hotels in Sacramento and Sonoma

Looking for a hotel in Sacramento or Sonoma? 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 Sonoma


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 Sonoma Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sacramento $41
    Sonoma $107

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 Sonoma

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

  • Private transfer from Sonoma to SFO: $215
  • Private transfer from SFO to Sonoma: $215
  • From San Francisco: Transfer to Lake Tahoe & Palisades Tahoe: $1,699

Is it cheaper to fly into Sacramento or Sonoma?

Prices for flights to both Sonoma 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
    Sonoma $45

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sonoma

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

  • Wine Country Food Tours. Sightseeing to various local artisanal food producers: $462

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sacramento $15
    Sonoma $13

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

Tours and Activities in Sonoma

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

  • #1 Private Walking Food, Wine & History Tour: $139
  • 6 Hour Private Wine Sonoma Tours Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passengers Van: $499
  • All-Inclusive Sonoma Wine and Picnic Tour: $198
  • Behind-the-Scenes Food and Wine E-Bike or Regular Bike Tour: $151
  • Point Reyes Station: Food and Farm Tour with Lunch: $225
  • Rides by me, Sonoma Sidecar Wine-Tasting tours: $220
  • Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour through Sonoma Valley: $130
  • Sonoma County Wine Segway Tour: $151
  • Sonoma Food and Wine Private Group Tour: $138
  • Sonoma Valley Full-Day Pedal Assist Bike Tour with Lunch - (Reg. Bike Optional): $151
  • Sonoma Valley Half-Day Wine Country Tour: $100
  • Sonoma Valley Wine Buyer's Picnic Tour: $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sacramento $9.31
    Sonoma $33

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 Sonoma

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sonoma:

  • 2-Hour Private Guided E-Trike Wine Tour at Sonoma: $80
  • Sonoma County Wine Tasting Tour: $103
  • #1 Small Group Sonoma Walking Food and Wine Tour: $105
  • Napa Valley: Guided Wine Tour with Picnic Lunch: $119
  • Sonoma County: Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour: $130
  • From San Francisco: Redwoods and Wine Tasting: $179
  • Private Sonoma and Napa Wine Tour Including Custom Concierge: $225
  • Wine Tours: $513
  • 6 Hour Napa or Sonoma Wine Tour in Private Limousine: $675
  • 8-Hour Private Wine Tour Experience for up to 6 Guests - San Francisco to Sonoma: $680
  • Guided Private Wine Tour to Napa and Sonoma Wine Country: $800
  • 8 Hour Napa or Sonoma Wine Tour in Private Limousine: $875

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Sacramento or Sonoma?

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 Sonoma in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sacramento and Sonoma.

In the summer, Sacramento is around the same temperature as Sonoma. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sacramento in July are around 76°F (24°C), and Sonoma is about 73°F (23°C).

In July, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Sonoma. Sacramento gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sacramento 76°F (24°C) 
    Sonoma 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Sacramento or Sonoma in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sacramento as well as Sonoma.

In October, Sacramento is generally around the same temperature as Sonoma. Temperatures in Sacramento average around 64°F (18°C), and Sonoma stays around 62°F (17°C).

Sacramento usually gets less rain in October than Sonoma. Sacramento gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sacramento 64°F (18°C) 
    Sonoma 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Sacramento or Sonoma in the Winter?

Both Sonoma and Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Sacramento is around the same temperature as Sonoma in the winter. The temperature in Sacramento is usually 45°F (7°C) in January, and Sonoma stays around 46°F (8°C).

In January, Sacramento usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sonoma. Sacramento gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sacramento 45°F (7°C) 
    Sonoma 46°F (8°C)

Should I visit Sacramento or Sonoma in the Spring?

Both Sonoma and Sacramento during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Sacramento is around the same temperature as Sonoma. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sacramento in April are around 58°F (15°C), and Sonoma is about 56°F (13°C).

Sacramento usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Sonoma. Sacramento gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sacramento 58°F (15°C) 
    Sonoma 56°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Sonoma and Sacramento

Sacramento Sonoma
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 45°F (7°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Feb 51°F (10°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.2 inches (31 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) 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 76°F (24°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Aug 75°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm) 70°F (21°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 46°F (8°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)


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Sacramento vs. Sonoma Travel Comparison

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