A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wellington vs. San Diego for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Wellington or San Diego?

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

Should I visit Wellington or San Diego? 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

San Diego

San Diego is a hip, dynamic, and energetic 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. Visitors also love the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Wellington and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or San Diego?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Diego than Wellington. San Diego is bigger than Wellington, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Diego is better known for its museums, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Wellington is more popular for its food and shopping. San Diego is more touristy than Wellington 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. Wellington is well known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Wellington different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Diego is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Wellington or San Diego? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Wellington is great 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.

Wellington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

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 Wellington or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Wellington and San Diego.

Wellington has a large number of nightlife venues. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

San Diego is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Wellington or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is a very popular place for its live music scene. However, Wellington is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in San Diego while you're in town. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Wellington is not a live music destination.

Is Wellington or San Diego Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Wellington is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, San Diego makes a nice vacation spot. 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.

Wellington is not a resort destination.

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

San Diego is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

San Diego has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Wellington or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for the beache. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in San Diego. 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.

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Is Wellington or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or San Diego?

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

Wellington is well-known for its shopping. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

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 Wellington or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Wellington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Wellington or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

San Diego makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Wellington is a good city for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

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

Wellington 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 Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

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 Wellington or San Diego Better for Students?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent San Diego. 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.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

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

The public transit in Wellington can get you around easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington or San Diego a more walkable city?

Wellington 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.

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable 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 Wellington Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or San Diego?

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

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

One day in Wellington or San Diego?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Wellington. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the relaxed coastal city of San Diego, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wellington or San Diego?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the funky destination of Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

With nightlife and live music around the destination of San Diego, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Wellington or San Diego?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid-back city of Wellington. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

San Diego, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wellington or San Diego?

Wellington is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, 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 Wellington and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific 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 Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or San Diego?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but San Diego has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Wellington or San Diego in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and San Diego. Most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Wellington is cooler than San Diego in the summer. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Wellington usually receives more rain than San Diegoin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wellington or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Wellington as well as San Diego. The autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

In the autumn, Wellington is cooler than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wellington in April average around 15°C (58°F), and San Diego averages at about 68°F (20°C)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the autumn, Wellington often gets less sunshine than San Diegoin October. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in April than San Diegoin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or San Diego in the Winter?

Both San Diego and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Wellington is generally cooler than San Diegoin January. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 10°C (49°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Wellington. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than San Diegoin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wellington or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego and Wellington during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Diego in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Wellington is cooler than San Diego in the spring. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C)in April.

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Wellington often gets less sunshine than San Diegoin April. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in October than San Diegoin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Wellington