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

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Pasadena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Pasadena, 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.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a fun-filled, relaxing, and bustling coastal city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife and beaches.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a picturesque, quaint, and charming city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Virginia Beach and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit


Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Pasadena?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pasadena than Virginia Beach. While Virginia Beach is larger than Pasadena, Pasadena has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pasadena is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Virginia Beach is known for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Virginia Beach is more touristy than Pasadena and is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe. Pasadena is popular for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl. It is also home to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

How is Virginia Beach different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Virginia Beach or Pasadena?

Virginia Beach
Pasadena

Pasadena is great for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Pasadena can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Virginia Beach
Pasadena

Pasadena is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Pasadena has a huge number of terrific 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.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Virginia Beach or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Virginia Beach
Pasadena

Pasadena is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Pasadena for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Virginia Beach or Pasadena Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach
Pasadena

Virginia Beach is a good destination for its resorts. However, Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Pasadena is not a resort destination.


Is Virginia Beach or Pasadena Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach
Pasadena

Virginia Beach is a good destination for the beach. However, Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Virginia Beach offers a nice beach destination. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Pasadena?

Virginia Beach
Pasadena

Pasadena is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Pasadena is well-known for its shopping. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Pasadena Better for Families?

Virginia Beach
Pasadena

Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Pasadena is a family-friendly coastal 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 Virginia Beach or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Virginia Beach
Pasadena

Virginia Beach and Pasadena are both good to visit as a couple.

Virginia Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Pasadena is a good coastal 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.

Is Virginia Beach or Pasadena Better for Students?

Virginia Beach
Pasadena

Virginia Beach is a good destination for students. However, Pasadena is not popular with students.

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city to visit for students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Pasadena is not popular with students.

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

Virginia Beach
Pasadena

Pasadena is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Pasadena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.


Is Virginia Beach or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Virginia Beach
Pasadena

Pasadena is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

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

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Virginia Beach and Pasadena. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Pasadena. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Virginia Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.

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

Couples should spend more time in Pasadena than Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach 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.


  • How many days in Virginia Beach or Pasadena? Ideal Length of Stay
    Virginia Beach 5-7 
    Pasadena 1-3

One day in Virginia Beach or Pasadena?

The coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. 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, you'll find museums and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Virginia Beach or Pasadena?

Virginia Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

Pasadena is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.


Five days in Virginia Beach or Pasadena?

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Virginia Beach, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pasadena. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Virginia Beach or Pasadena?

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Virginia Beach has to offer. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Pasadena. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Pasadena or Virginia Beach?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Virginia Beach is $126, while the average daily cost in Pasadena is $62. 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 Virginia Beach and Pasadena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Virginia Beach $71
    Pasadena $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Virginia Beach $142
    Pasadena $50
Compare Hotels in Virginia Beach and Pasadena

Looking for a hotel in Virginia Beach or Pasadena? 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.

Hotels in Virginia Beach


Hotels in Pasadena


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: Virginia Beach Hotel Prices and Pasadena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Virginia Beach $39
    Pasadena $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Virginia Beach

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:


  • Beach Parking
    $10

Is it cheaper to fly into Virginia Beach or Pasadena?

Prices for flights to both Pasadena and Virginia Beach 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Virginia Beach $30
    Pasadena $19

Typical Food Prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Virginia Beach $21
    Pasadena -

Tours and Activities in Virginia Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Neptune Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $26
  • Neptune Ghosts: Ghosts of the Coast By US Ghost Adventures: $30
  • Sunset Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
  • Morning Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
  • Ziplining and Climbing at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium: $59
  • Dolphin Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour: $60
  • Wetland Zip Tour: $65
  • Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
  • Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $68
  • Dolphin Kayak Tour in Virginia Beach: $75
  • Kayak Dolphin Experience in Virginia Beach: $75

Tours and Activities in Pasadena

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:

  • LA: East Side Guided Film Locations Tour: $350
  • Old Pasadena Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Virginia Beach $11
    Pasadena -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Virginia Beach and Pasadena, we can see that Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach Expensive? and Is Pasadena Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Pasadena?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach or Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and Virginia Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Pasadena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Virginia Beach is a little warmer than Pasadena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Virginia Beach in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Pasadena averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C) 
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Pasadena. Many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Pasadena for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Virginia Beach is generally cooler than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 62°F (16°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In October, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C) 
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Pasadena in the Winter?

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

Virginia Beach can be very cold during winter. Virginia Beach is much colder than Pasadena in the winter. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 39°F (4°C) in January, and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in January than Pasadena. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C) 
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Virginia Beach is cooler than Pasadena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Virginia Beach in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Pasadena averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In April, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C) 
    Pasadena 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach Pasadena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 39°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Feb 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Mar 49°F (10°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Apr 58°F (14°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
May 67°F (19°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.7 inches (145 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm) 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)