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

Should you visit Sarasota or San Diego?

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 Sarasota and San Diego. 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.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a relaxing, entertaining, and underrated city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping. See Sarasota travel costs.

San Diego

San Diego is a energetic, relaxed, and outdoorsy coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. San Diego is a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See San Diego travel costs.

Sarasota and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or San Diego?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Diego than Sarasota. San Diego is bigger than Sarasota, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Diego is more touristy than Sarasota and is known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. Also, San Diego is famous for The San Diego Zoo. Sarasota is well known for its sandy beaches and its fun activities.

How is Sarasota different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sarasota and San Diego.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sarasota. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

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

San Diego is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sarasota area. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

Is Sarasota or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

San Diego is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

Is Sarasota or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is great for its live music scene. However, Sarasota is not a live music destination.

The music scene in San Diego draws a good crowd. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Sarasota is not a live music destination.

Is Sarasota or San Diego Better for Resorts?

There are notable resorts to choose from in both Sarasota and San Diego.

With a selection of resorts, Sarasota makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

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.

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

San Diego is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sarasota is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Sarasota is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sarasota or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is renowned for the beach. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

San Diego offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Sarasota is a good option for a beach vacation. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Is Sarasota or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is great for hiking. However, Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to San Diego for the hiking trails. 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.

Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or San Diego?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sarasota. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

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 Sarasota or San Diego More Beautiful?

San Diego is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

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

Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sarasota or San Diego Better for Families?

Both Sarasota and San Diego are terrific family-friendly destinations.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Sarasota is very family-friendly. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

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.

Is Sarasota or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

San Diego is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Sarasota is a good city for couples to visit. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

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

San Diego is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit San Diego. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Sarasota is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are budget friendly places to stay, but there isn't a large backpacker or young crowd hanging around.

Is Sarasota or San Diego Better for Students?

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

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.

Sarasota is not popular with students.

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

Sarasota and San Diego both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

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 Sarasota or San Diego a more walkable city?

San Diego is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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

Sarasota is generally not very walkable. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

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

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or San Diego?

In either Sarasota or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, San Diego has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in San Diego than Sarasota. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Sarasota. 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.

The coastal city of San Diego offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Sarasota or San Diego?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the entertaining destination of Sarasota. 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.

San Diego is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or San Diego?

You'll find nightlife and food around the relaxing city of Sarasota. 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.

San Diego is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in San Diego, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Sarasota or San Diego?

Sarasota 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.

San Diego is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota or San Diego in the Summer?

Both San Diego and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

Sarasota is a little warmer than San Diego in the summer. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 82°F (28°C) 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 Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during summer. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Sarasota. In July, Sarasota usually receives more rain than San Diego. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sarasota or San Diego in the Autumn?

Both San Diego and Sarasota during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Also, many travelers 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.

In the autumn, Sarasota is a little warmer than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sarasota in October average around 76°F (24°C), 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 Sarasota. In the autumn, Sarasota often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Should I visit Sarasota or San Diego in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and San Diego. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Sarasota is generally around the same temperature as San Diego. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 59°F (15°C), 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 Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during winter. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sarasota usually receives more rain than San Diego. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sarasota or San Diego in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as San Diego. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

Sarasota is a little warmer than San Diego in the spring. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 73°F (23°C) 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 Sarasota this time of the year. In the spring, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than San Diego. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Sarasota