A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America San Diego vs. Reno for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit San Diego or Reno?

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 San Diego and Reno. 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.

San Diego

San Diego is a energetic, relaxed, and outdoorsy 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 hiking, shopping, and museums.

Reno

Reno is a vibrant, energetic, and growing city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

San Diego and Reno: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Diego or Reno?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Diego than Reno, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Diego is more touristy than Reno 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. Reno is popular for its casinos and nightlife scene.

How is San Diego different from Reno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Diego is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Reno is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Museums in town range from art and history to local or quirky. The National Automobile Museum, the Nevada Museum of Art, Fleischmann Planetarium, and the Anthropology Museum are some of the favorites.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both San Diego and Reno.

San Diego has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Reno area. The food scene has been growing in recent years and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants that serve hearty and filling comfort foods.

Is San Diego or Reno Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both San Diego and Reno.

Many people head to San Diego for the nightlife scene. 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.

Reno has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a big nightlife scene with a huge number of bars and entertainment options. There are also a growing number of breweries in town.

Is San Diego or Reno Better for Music?

San Diego is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Reno is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, San Diego has diverse options. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Reno is not a live music destination.

Is San Diego or Reno Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Reno 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.

Reno is not a resort destination.

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

San Diego is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Reno is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

San Diego has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Reno is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Diego or Reno Better for Beaches?

San Diego is renowned for the beach. However, Reno is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in San Diego. 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.

Reno is not a beach destination.

Is San Diego or Reno Better for Hiking?

San Diego is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Reno is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Reno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Diego or Reno?

If you're looking to go shopping, San Diego and Reno both offer plenty of good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Diego. 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.

Many visitors go to Reno to go shopping. In addition to your standard suburban shopping malls and strip malls, there's the Midtown District, which has local retail shops and an eclectic and alternative vibe. The area has thrift shops, music vendors, and more.

Is San Diego or Reno Better for Families?

San Diego is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, San Diego is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Reno. You'll find some arcades and entertainment options for kids in some of the casinos. There's also the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, which has kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits, and the largest zoo in Nevado, the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park.

Is San Diego or Reno Better for Couples?

San Diego is renowned for couples. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

San Diego makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Reno is a nice destination for couples. There are outdoor parks and scenic walks like the Truckee River Walk or the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. There's also several great museums and some interesting restaurants.

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

San Diego is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Reno is lacking in options for 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.

Reno is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really on the backpacker circuit so you won't find any real hostels in town.

Is San Diego or Reno Better for Students?

San Diego is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Reno is not popular with students.

Many students frequent San Diego. 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.

Reno is not popular with students.

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

San Diego and Reno both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Reno. There's a public bus system with routes around town.

Is San Diego or Reno a more walkable city?

San Diego is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Reno is lacking in options for its walkability.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable coastal city. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.

Reno is generally not very walkable. While there are some reasonably walkable neighborhoods, you really need a car to get around town.

For even more information, also check out Is San Diego Worth Visiting? and Is Reno Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reno or San Diego?

How long in San Diego or Reno?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Diego and Reno. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than in Reno. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for San Diego, and 1-3 days is enough time in Reno.

Families should spend more time in San Diego than Reno. 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 Reno. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Diego that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Diego than Reno 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 San Diego or Reno?

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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Reno. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reno has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in San Diego or Reno?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the energetic destination of Reno. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in San Diego or Reno?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the energetic 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Reno. 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.

A week in San Diego or Reno?

The idyllic 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.

Reno 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, San Diego or Reno?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Reno. When comparing the sizes of San Diego and Reno, 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.