A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Valencia vs. San Diego for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Valencia or San Diego?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Valencia 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.

Valencia

Valencia is a cultural, historic, and architectural coastal city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

San Diego

San Diego is a relaxed, outdoorsy, and idyllic coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Valencia and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valencia or San Diego?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Valencia than San Diego. While San Diego is larger than Valencia, Valencia has more sights and attractions for tourists. Valencia is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while San Diego is more popular for its music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and quaint atmosphere. San Diego is more touristy than Valencia and is popular for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. Valencia is well known for its rich cultural, world class museums, beautiful old town, and local cuisine (which includes paella). Also, Valencia is famous for La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.

How is Valencia different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Valencia and San Diego.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Valencia can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is famous for its architecture and culture. Most of the main attractions are concentrated in Ciutat Vella and can be easily accessed on foot. Notable landmarks include La Lonja de Seda, Catedral de València, and Plaza de la Virgen. There are also several world class museums including Oceanogràfic de València and La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències de València.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into San Diego. 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 Valencia or San Diego? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Eat your way through Valencia, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city is famous as the birthplace of paella, which is one of Spain's most famous dishes. Beyond the paella, there are a number of other amazing traditional dishes. Fideuà is similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice. All i pebre is an eel and potato dish and clóchinas are tiny local mussels. For dessert make sure you try the flan de calabaza, which is pumpkin flavored. Many restaurants also have tapas that can be shared. Restaurants in the old town are charming and delicious, but out by the beaches the quality isn't as good.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the San Diego area. 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.

Is Valencia or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

Valencia 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.

Valencia is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Dinner starts late, so you can expect the nightlife to pick up even later. During the summer there are all night terrace parties and year round you'll find nightclubs filled from evening to dawn. If all night raves aren't really your thing, you'll also find plenty of local bars where you can hang out with friends in a more relaxed setting. The nightlife scene really is varied enough that there's something for everyone.

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 Valencia or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is well known for its live music scene. However, Valencia is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in San Diego. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Valencia is not a live music destination.

Is Valencia or San Diego Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, notable resorts can be found in both Valencia and San Diego.

With a selection of resorts, Valencia makes a nice vacation spot. You can choose between staying near the old town (Ciutat Vella) or out by the beach. One of the best beach areas is El Cabanyal. It's still close enough in to be well connected by public transit but offers a great coastal vibe as well.

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 Valencia or San Diego Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

San Diego is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Valencia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

San Diego has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Valencia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Valencia or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for the beache. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

The beaches in San Diego are among the best in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Valencia. There are several urban beaches in town that are accessible by public transit. Many offer surprisingly long stretches of sand with wide beaches and plenty of activity. The beaches can get crowded during the summer months, but they are generally large enough to accommodate the crowds. La Malvarrosa Beach is one of the most popular because of its proximity to the city. El Saler Beach is further out and popular with the locals and Port Saplaya is a colorful area with shopping and beaches.

Is Valencia or San Diego Better for its Old Town?

Valencia is renowned for its old town. However, San Diego does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Valencia is one of the most recognized in the world. For culture, history, and the majority of the city's attractions, you'll want to spend your time in Ciutat Vella (old town).

San Diego does not have a historic old town.

Is Valencia or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is well known for its hiking experiences. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Valencia. Most people miss out on the beautiful hikes through the nearby countryside, but if you venture out of town you can enjoy some beautiful walking trails. Many run along the coastline or pass through rolling hills. There is varied landscape in the area with pine forests, orange groves, and vineyards all common.

Is the Shopping Better in Valencia or San Diego?

Valencia is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its shopping areas.

Valencia is well-known for its shopping. As the third largest city in Spain, you'll find most designer brands around town. The main shopping street is Calle Colon where you'll find the well-known European brands mixed in with the lesser-known Spanish brands. For a more local experience head to Mercado Central where you'll find local produce, colorful seafood, and a unique foodie vibe.

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 Valencia or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

San Diego is an amazing family-friendly coastal city to visit. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Valencia. The city has some kid-friendly museums, an impressive zoo, and the largest aquarium in Europe (with its own dolphin show). Head to the Science Museum or simply wander around the museum complex. There are water activities and a beautiful futuristic style that attracts families and influencers with its photogenic atmosphere. There are also countless playgrounds of all sizes around town and a number of parks and outdoor spaces where kids can run around. There's a city park that runs through town and has playgrounds and bike trails. You can also spend a fun-filled day at the beach.

Is Valencia or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

San Diego has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Valencia is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. The city is filled with interesting culture, beautiful weather, and delightful cuisine. There are sandy beaches and luxury hotels that will make for an amazing romantic getaway. There are also many beautiful gardens and charming neighborhoods that you can explore. Couples can split a paella and sip sangrias in one of the many charming restaurants around town.

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

Valencia 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 Valencia. It's often overlooked for more popular destinations, but this city has plenty to offer in the form of affordable accommodation and food as well as interesting sights.

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 Valencia or San Diego Better for Students?

Valencia and San Diego are world-class places to visit for students.

Valencia is a great destination for students. The city is young and vibrant with a lot of culture and beautiful neighborhoods. It's also well connected to the rest of Spain with a convenient central train station.

San Diego is a very popular coastal city 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.

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

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

While Valencia offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Public transit is available in the form of buses and a tram/metro system but the system isn't as comprehensive as it could be and much of the city is surprisingly dependent on cars.

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 Valencia or San Diego a more walkable city?

Valencia 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.

Valencia is a very walkable coastal city. Walking is the best way to explore many parts of the city and you can walk from one side of the Ciutat Vella to the other in about 20 minutes. This area is where you'll find most of the city's main attractions. There are other neighborhoods that are a bit less pedestrian-friendly.

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 Valencia Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Valencia?

How long in Valencia or San Diego?

In either Valencia or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than Valencia because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Valencia, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

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

One day in Valencia or San Diego?

People visit Valencia because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Valencia or San Diego?

People visit Valencia because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal 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 Valencia or San Diego?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal coastal city of Valencia. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Valencia or San Diego?

Valencia is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valencia and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Valencia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Valencia is in Europe 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 Valencia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valencia 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 Valencia.

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

Which is Bigger, Valencia or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Valencia. When comparing the sizes of Valencia 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 Valencia or San Diego?

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 Valencia or San Diego in the Summer?

Both San Diego and Valencia during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Valencia for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. 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.

Valencia is a little warmer than San Diego in the summer. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Valencia. In the summer, Valencia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego. Valencia gets 303 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Valencia gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valencia and San Diego. Many visitors come to Valencia in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. 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, Valencia is around the same temperature as San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valencia in October average around 19°C (66°F), and San Diego averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. Valencia usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during autumn. Valencia gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valencia usually receives more rain than San Diego. Valencia gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valencia or San Diego in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Valencia as well as San Diego. Most visitors come to Valencia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Diego because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Valencia is generally cooler than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 12°C (53°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the winter, Valencia often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Valencia gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets less rain in January than San Diego. Valencia gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego and Valencia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Valencia because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

Valencia is around the same temperature as San Diego in the spring. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valencia. Valencia usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during spring. Valencia gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valencia usually receives more rain than San Diego. Valencia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Valencia