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

Should you visit San Diego or Toronto?

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 Toronto. 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 dynamic, energetic, and relaxed coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. San Diego is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See San Diego travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Toronto travel costs.

San Diego and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Diego or Toronto?

Visitors will generally find more to do in San Diego than Toronto. While Toronto is larger than San Diego, San Diego has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. San Diego is very popular for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Toronto attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities. San Diego is more touristy than Toronto 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 well known for The San Diego Zoo. Toronto is famous for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population.

How is San Diego different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toronto 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 Toronto?

Toronto 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 Toronto are world-renowned. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

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 San Diego or Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

San Diego has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Dining out in Toronto is an experience not to be missed. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

Is San Diego or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto 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.

Toronto is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

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 San Diego or Toronto Better for Music?

San Diego is a very popular place for live music. However, Toronto is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in San Diego while you're in town. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Toronto is not a live music destination.

Is San Diego or Toronto Better for Resorts?

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

San Diego has a handful of resorts to choose from. 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.

Toronto is not a resort destination.

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

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

Toronto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Diego or Toronto Better for Beaches?

San Diego is terrific for its beaches. However, Toronto 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.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is San Diego or Toronto Better for Hiking?

San Diego is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Toronto 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.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Diego or Toronto?

Toronto 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, Toronto draws large crowds to its stores. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

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 San Diego or Toronto More Beautiful?

San Diego is a coastal city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

San Diego is a gorgeous place to visit. Many people enjoy city's beautiful coastline and surrounding natural beauty.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is San Diego or Toronto Better for Families?

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

Toronto is a very kid-friendly coastal city. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

Is San Diego or Toronto Better for Couples?

San Diego is terrific for romance. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Couples visit Toronto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

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

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

Many backpackers visit Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of 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 San Diego or Toronto Better for Students?

For students, both San Diego and Toronto are fantastic places to visit.

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.

Many students frequent Toronto. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

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

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

Toronto has a great public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

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 San Diego or Toronto a more walkable city?

Toronto 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.

Toronto is a very walkable city. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Toronto or San Diego?

How long in San Diego or Toronto?

Both San Diego and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in San Diego. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for San Diego, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

One day in San Diego or Toronto?

In San Diego, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

People visit Toronto 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.

A weekend in San Diego or Toronto?

In San Diego, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

People visit Toronto 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.

Five days in San Diego or Toronto?

San Diego is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Diego has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

People visit Toronto 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.

A week in San Diego or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Diego. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Diego. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between San Diego and Toronto, we can see that Toronto 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. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Diego or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of San Diego. When comparing the sizes of San Diego and Toronto, 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 San Diego or Toronto?

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 San Diego or Toronto in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Diego and Toronto. Most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, San Diego is generally around the same temperature as Toronto. Daily temperatures in San Diego average around 71°F (22°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toronto this time of the year. In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Diego usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during summer. San Diego gets 306 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Diego usually receives less rain than Toronto. San Diego gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Diego or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Diego as well as Toronto. The autumn months attract visitors to San Diego because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In the autumn, San Diego often gets more sunshine than Toronto. San Diego gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.

San Diego usually gets less rain in October than Toronto. San Diego gets 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Diego or Toronto in the Winter?

Both Toronto and San Diego are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Diego this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Toronto. In the winter, San Diego is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Diego in January average around 57°F (14°C), and Toronto averages at about -4°C (25°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. San Diego usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during winter. San Diego gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, San Diego usually receives less rain than Toronto. San Diego gets 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Diego or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and San Diego during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, San Diego is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in San Diego average around 62°F (17°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. In the spring, San Diego often gets more sunshine than Toronto. San Diego gets 277 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.

San Diego usually gets less rain in April than Toronto. San Diego gets 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toronto and San Diego