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

Should you visit Asheville or Sonoma?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Asheville and Sonoma. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Asheville

Asheville is a open-minded, eclectic, and outdoorsy mountain town. Asheville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food. See Asheville travel costs.

Sonoma

Sonoma is a relaxing, scenic, and serene county. The famous beauty of Sonoma is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking. See Sonoma travel costs.

Asheville and Sonoma: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Sonoma?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sonoma. Although Asheville and Sonoma are both popular with visitors, Sonoma has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sonoma is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Asheville is known for its music, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Sonoma is more touristy than Asheville and is popular for its world-class winemaking and sustainable agriculture. It is also home to Buena Vista Winery. Asheville is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue.

How is Asheville different from Sonoma?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sonoma is a county with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Sonoma offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. 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.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sonoma is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Asheville has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Is Asheville or Sonoma Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Asheville and Sonoma.

Asheville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Many people head to Sonoma for the nightlife scene. Lounges, wine bars, and live music venues offer a variety of activities for visitors during the evening hours.

Is Asheville or Sonoma Better for Music?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its music scene. However, Sonoma is not a live music destination.

Asheville has a thriving music scene. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Sonoma is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Sonoma Better for Resorts?

Sonoma is well known for its resorts. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Is Asheville or Sonoma Better for Beaches?

Sonoma is well known for the beach. However, Asheville 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.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Asheville or Sonoma Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is adequate for its historic old town charm. However, Sonoma does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Sonoma does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Sonoma Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Asheville and Sonoma, and they are very good.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Asheville. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Many visitors go to Sonoma for the hiking trails. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Sonoma?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Sonoma and Asheville.

Asheville is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Sonoma. You'll find a range of local vendors in the area, selling everything from jewelry to art, home decor, and olive oil.

Is Asheville or Sonoma More Beautiful?

Sonoma is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Sonoma is one of the main draws. The lined vineyards are strikingly beautiful and the setting offers stunning viewpoints and a serene beauty.

Asheville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With the surrounding mountains and the charming town, the area is filled with natural beauty.

Is Asheville or Sonoma Better for Families?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sonoma is not as popular, but is still a nice county for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Asheville. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Sonoma is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Asheville or Sonoma Better for Couples?

Sonoma is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Asheville is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Is Asheville or Sonoma Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a great mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sonoma is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Sonoma is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a few budget hotel options in the area, but not much in the form of hostels.

Is Asheville or Sonoma Better for Students?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its student-friendly activities. However, Sonoma is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Sonoma is not popular with students.

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

Asheville is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Sonoma is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around by using their own vehicle. In particular, if you plan to hike or explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll need a car. Many of the downtown hotels offer shuttle buses to the Biltmore area.

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 Asheville or Sonoma a more walkable city?

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

Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to reach restaurants and shops on foot. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Sonoma or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Sonoma?

It's fun to spend time in either Asheville or Sonoma. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Sonoma due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 2-4 days is enough time in Sonoma.

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

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

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

One day in Asheville or Sonoma?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food and shopping around the county of Sonoma. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

A weekend in Asheville or Sonoma?

Asheville 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the scenic destination of Sonoma. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this county has to offer. This county offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Sonoma?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxing county of Sonoma. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Sonoma?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the progressive destination of Asheville. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Sonoma is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Sonoma?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Sonoma. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Sonoma, 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 Asheville or Sonoma?

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 Asheville or Sonoma in the Summer?

Both Sonoma and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Sonoma because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Asheville is a little warmer than Sonoma. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Sonoma averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Sonoma. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Sonoma in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Sonoma. The autumn months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sonoma this time of year.

In October, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as Sonoma. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Sonoma fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Sonoma. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Sonoma in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Sonoma. The Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Sonoma for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Asheville is cooler than Sonoma in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Sonoma fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Sonoma. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Sonoma in the Spring?

Both Sonoma and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Asheville for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Sonoma in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Asheville is a little warmer than Sonoma. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Sonoma averages at about 56°F (13°C).

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Sonoma. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sonoma and Asheville