Which place is cheaper, San Diego or San Fernando?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Fernando or San Diego?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando 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: San Fernando or San Diego?
San Fernando
As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Fernando $153San Diego $202
The average daily cost (per person) in San Fernando is $153, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $202. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for San Fernando and San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Fernando $74San Diego $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Fernando $148San Diego $230
Compare Hotels in San Fernando and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in San Fernando 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.
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: San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Fernando $50San Diego $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tijuana Intl Airport (TIJ) to Playas de Rosarito -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $240
- San Diego Airport (SAN): Private Transfer to San Diego: $188
- Private Transfer Airport Tijuana/Valle de Guadalupe (Ensenada) or back.: $176
- Private Transfer from Tijuana to Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe: $149
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego hotel/address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $149
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to Carlsbad - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $149
- Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego by Executive SUV: $134
- RoundTrip transfer in private car from-to San DiegoAirport in San Diego Downtown: $127
- Tijuana Intl Airport (TIJ) to Playas de Rosarito - Arrival Private Transfer: $120
- Private Transfer from San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Executive SUV: $115
- Departure Private Transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Luxury SUV: $115
- Arrival Private Transfer: San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego in Luxury SUV: $115
Is it cheaper to fly into San Fernando or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego and San Fernando 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
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Food Meals for one daySan Fernando $48San Diego $45
Typical Food Prices in San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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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:
- Pizza and Gelato Tour in San Diego: $80
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $81
- San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $85
- Gaslamp Quarter Downtown San Diego Food Tour: $89
- Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: $89
- San Diego Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $95
- San Diego, Seaport Village: Waterfront Walking Food Tour: $99
- Seaport Village Food Tour in San Diego : $99
- Guided Secret Food Tour: $102
- Scenic Buffet Dinner Cruise: $108
- San Diego Dinner Cruise: $116
- Gourmet Dinner Cruise: $118
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Fernando $28San Diego $48
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission Ticket: $24
- "Drink, Ride, Sing, & Dance!" Bar Tour (4 bars included): $33
- 1 Hour GPS Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter: $92
- 1-Hour Private Scenic Tandem Sidecar Tour in San Diego: $99
- 1-Hour Voodoo Escape Room Experience in San Diego: $35
- 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
- 1Hr GPS Self Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter: $63
- 4 Hour Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour or Rental: $87
- A Seaside Stroll: La Jolla's Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- All Day San Diego Scenic Tour: $125
- Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Balboa Park Puzzling Adventure: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Fernando $22San Diego $21
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: $13
- History Tour Pub Crawl of Famous Gaslamp Quarter: $30
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $119
- Vino! Vino! Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $131
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
- Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
- Sidecar Wine Tasting Tour: $199
- Brewery and Tap Room Sidecar Tour: $199
- California Sunset Brewery Tour: $199
- Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour in San Diego: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is San Fernando much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands 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 San Fernando would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Fernando 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 San Fernando.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Fernando Expensive? and Is San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Fernando or San Diego?
San Diego has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando 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 San Fernando or San Diego?
San Diego has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Fernando experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit San Fernando or San Diego in the Summer?
Both San Diego and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year. 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.
San Fernando is a little warmer than San Diego in the summer. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, 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 San Fernando. San Fernando usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during summer. San Fernando gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in San Fernando. In July, San Fernando usually receives more rain than San Diego. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Fernando 27°C (81°F)San Diego 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit San Fernando or San Diego in the Autumn?
Both San Diego and San Fernando during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. 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, San Fernando is a little warmer than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Fernando in October average around 27°C (81°F), and San Diego averages at about 68°F (20°C).
In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Fernando. In the autumn, San Fernando often gets less sunshine than San Diego. San Fernando gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Fernando 27°C (81°F)San Diego 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit San Fernando or San Diego in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and San Diego. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Diego because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, San Fernando is generally much warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 26°C (78°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Fernando usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego during winter. San Fernando gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Fernando usually receives more rain than San Diego. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Fernando 26°C (78°F)San Diego 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit San Fernando or San Diego in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as San Diego. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
San Fernando is much warmer than San Diego in the spring. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In the spring, San Fernando often gets less sunshine than San Diego. San Fernando gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.
San Fernando usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Fernando 27°C (81°F)San Diego 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for San Diego and San Fernando
| San Fernando | San Diego | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 252 mm (9.9 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 225 mm (8.9 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 203 mm (8 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.