A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sonoma vs. Avon for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Resorts

Should you visit Sonoma or Avon?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Sonoma and Avon can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Sonoma

Sonoma is a serene, relaxing, and scenic county. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Avon

Avon is a active, outdoorsy, and scenic town. It's also popular because of the hiking, skiing, and nightlife.

Sonoma and Avon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sonoma or Avon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sonoma than Avon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sonoma is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Avon is more popular for its skiing. Sonoma is more touristy than Avon and is popular for its world-class winemaking and sustainable agriculture. Also, Sonoma is famous for Buena Vista Winery. Avon is well known for it's affordable accommodation options and its access to Beaver Creek Ski Resort.

How is Sonoma different from Avon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sonoma or Avon Better for Skiing?

Avon is a great town for skiing. However, Sonoma is not a skiing destination.

Avon draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. Beaver Creek is the main ski area near town and it's about a mile away. The town of Avon is below Beaver Creek and is located beside an interstate.

Sonoma is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sonoma or Avon?

You'll find a number of respectable museums and attractions in both Avon and Sonoma.

While most people don't head to Sonoma specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't think of museums when they think of Sonoma, there are actually some interesting local options. The California Indian Museum, the Cotati Museum, and the Depot Park Museum are also local are fascinating.

Avon offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While there aren't a ton of museums in the area, it's worth checking out the Walking Mountains Science Center.

Is the Food Better in Sonoma or Avon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sonoma is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Sonoma, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Although wine may be the first thing you think about, the region is also filled with farm-to-table restaurants and award-winning dining options. The food is almost always fresh and local. You can sample many local ingredients such as vegetables, cheeses, olive oils, and fish.

Avon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are casual eateries where you can grab a bite to eat, whether you're in the mood for Chinese, pizza, or burgers.

Is Sonoma or Avon Better for Nightlife?

Sonoma is notable for nightlife. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Sonoma has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Lounges, wine bars, and live music venues offer a variety of activities for visitors during the evening hours.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Avon. It's a small town but there are some bars and lively pubs where you can enjoy cold drinks.

Is Sonoma or Avon Better for Resorts?

Sonoma is notable for its resorts. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its luxury resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Sonoma to choose from. Spa hotels, charming inns, and beautiful resorts all offer a variety of options for visitors.

With a selection of resorts, Avon makes a nice vacation spot. There are the typical chain resort options, many with beautiful mountain views.

Is Sonoma or Avon Better for Beaches?

Sonoma is notable for its beaches. However, Avon is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Sonoma for it's beautiful beaches. The county has a coastline that includes several great beaches as well as rocky shoreline. The beaches include secluded coves and picturesque cliffs as well as sand dunes and sandy beaches.

Avon is not a beach destination.

Is Sonoma or Avon Better for Hiking?

Sonoma is notable for the nearby hiking options. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Sonoma is a popular spot for hiking. In between wine tastings you can explore the area's stunning natural beauty. There are hikes through the vineyards, along the coast, or through forested parks. Some of the best hikes are found in Jack London State Historic Park, Sugarloaf State Park, and Armstrong Woods State Park.

Avon is a good destination for hiking. There are paved trails and recreational paths through town that are great for both hiking and biking. The main ones are Eagle Valley Trail and the trails in West Avon Preserve.

Is the Shopping Better in Sonoma or Avon?

Sonoma is notable for shopping. However, Avon is a mediocre town for its shopping opportunities.

Sonoma is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find a range of local vendors in the area, selling everything from jewelry to art, home decor, and olive oil.

If you're looking to go shopping, Avon has some nice offerings. There aren't a ton of shopping opportunities in town, but there are enough shops around in case you need to pick up necessities or buy a gift.

Is Sonoma or Avon Better for Families?

Both Sonoma and Avon are notable to visit with kids.

Sonoma offers lots of family activities. While most people think immediately of wine tours, there's actually a lot more to Sonoma County. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in the area, which include beaches, parks, wildlife viewing, and more. There's also horseback riding and even ziplining opportunities.

Avon is a family-friendly place to visit. There are parks and playgrounds around town and there's easy access to the Beaver Creek Ski Resort. There's also plenty of hiking in the area.

Is Sonoma or Avon Better for Couples?

Sonoma is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

Sonoma is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It has long been a favorite honeymoon destination for couples who come for the vineyards and wine tours. There are also charming hotels, award winning restaurants, and beautiful beaches.

Avon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While avid skiers prefer to stay at nearby Beaver Creek, the town of Avon offers a good alternative.

Is Sonoma or Avon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Avon is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Sonoma is not known for its public transit.

While Avon offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttles and buses that travel through town and to Beaver Creek.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Sonoma. While there are buses, they are almost never used by tourists. There is the Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley which you should purchase tickets for in advance.

Is Sonoma or Avon a more walkable city?

Avon is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Sonoma is not known for its walkability.

Avon is a somewhat walkable town. The town center is small and there are paved walking trails that you can use. It's possible to walk to restaurants or the recreation center, depending on where you're staying.

Sonoma is not a walkable county. You really must have a car to get around the area and explore it efficiently.

For even more information, also check out Is Sonoma Worth Visiting? and Is Avon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avon or Sonoma?

How long in Sonoma or Avon?

It's fun to spend time in either Sonoma or Avon. In our opinion, Sonoma has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Sonoma than Avon. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Sonoma than Avon. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sonoma, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sonoma than Avon 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 Sonoma.

One day in Sonoma or Avon?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Sonoma. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Avon. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sonoma or Avon?

Sonoma is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Avon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sonoma or Avon?

You'll find food and shopping around the relaxing destination of Sonoma. This county offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avon. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Sonoma or Avon?

The serene county of Sonoma offers shopping and nightlife. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic destination of Avon. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sonoma or Avon?

Sonoma has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Avon. When comparing the sizes of Sonoma and Avon, 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.