A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. Pasadena for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Tampa or Pasadena?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Pasadena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Tampa

Tampa is a easy-going, low-key, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food and beaches.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a quaint, charming, and picturesque city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Tampa and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Pasadena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tampa than Pasadena. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Tampa is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Pasadena attracts visitors for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. Tampa is famous for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. It is also well known for Busch Gardens. Pasadena is famous for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Tampa different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tampa or Pasadena?

Pasadena is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Pasadena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tampa or Pasadena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pasadena is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Pasadena has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Is Tampa or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

Pasadena has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Tampa or Pasadena Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a moderate city for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Pasadena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Pasadena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Pasadena Better for Beaches?

Tampa is notable for the beach. However, Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Tampa for it's beautiful beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Pasadena?

Pasadena is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Pasadena. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Pasadena Better for Families?

Tampa is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Tampa is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Pasadena is a family-friendly city. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Tampa or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Pasadena is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Pasadena is a good city for couples to visit. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Tampa or Pasadena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pasadena is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

Pasadena has some public transit options. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Tampa or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Pasadena is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

Pasadena is a somewhat walkable city. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

For even more information, also check out Is Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tampa and Pasadena. In our opinion, Pasadena has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Pasadena than Tampa. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pasadena than Tampa 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 Pasadena.

One day in Tampa or Pasadena?

The city of Tampa offers food. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

In Pasadena, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this picturesque destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tampa or Pasadena?

Tampa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tampa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pasadena. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or Pasadena?

Tampa is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Pasadena is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Pasadena. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Pasadena?

Tampa is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the picturesque destination of Pasadena. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampa and Pasadena, we can see that Tampa is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa than you might in Pasadena.

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Pasadena?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Pasadena, 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 Tampa or Pasadena?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tampa or Pasadena in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Pasadena. Most visitors come to Tampa for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the family-friendly experiences.

Tampa is a little warmer than Pasadena in the summer. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Tampa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Tampa because of the city's sights and attractions. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

In the autumn, Tampa is a little warmer than Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tampa in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Pasadena averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In October, Tampa usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or Pasadena in the Winter?

Both Pasadena and Tampa during the winter are popular places to visit. The cuisine are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Tampa is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 60°F (15°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Tampa usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Pasadena. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Pasadena. Many travelers come to Tampa for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Tampa is a little warmer than Pasadena in the spring. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 71°F (22°C) in April, and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In April, Tampa usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Tampa