A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. San Diego for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Beijing or San Diego?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and San Diego can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Beijing

Beijing is a massive, jam-packed, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Beijing is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Beijing travel costs.

San Diego

San Diego is a fun-filled, hip, and dynamic coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. San Diego offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See San Diego travel costs.

Beijing and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or San Diego?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than San Diego, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while San Diego is known for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and quaint atmosphere. Beijing is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also home to The Forbidden City. San Diego is popular for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools.

How is Beijing different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Beijing is renowned for its historical sights. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Beijing are world-renowned. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

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.

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

Beijing 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 Beijing, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

Dining out in San Diego is an experience not to be missed. 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 Beijing or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or San Diego has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Beijing know how to have a good time. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

The nightlife in San Diego has something for everybody. 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 Beijing or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is a great destination for its music scene. However, Beijing is not a live music destination.

San Diego has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Beijing is not a live music destination.

Is Beijing or San Diego Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a coastal city with good options for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

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.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

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

San Diego is a coastal city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in San Diego. 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.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Beijing or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

San Diego is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Beijing is not a hiking destination.

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.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or San Diego?

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

Beijing is well-known for its shopping. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

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 Beijing or San Diego More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of good scenery and beauty in both Beijing and San Diego.

Beijing offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.

San Diego is a gorgeous place to visit. Many people enjoy city's beautiful coastline and surrounding natural beauty.

Is Beijing or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

San Diego is an extremely popular coastal city to visit for families. 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.

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Is Beijing or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

San Diego is a great coastal city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Beijing is a nice destination for couples. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

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

Beijing 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 Beijing. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

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 Beijing or San Diego Better for Students?

San Diego is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Many students visit Beijing. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

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

Beijing 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 Beijing can get you around easily. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

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 Beijing or San Diego a more walkable city?

San Diego is a coastal city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

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.

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Beijing Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or San Diego?

In either Beijing or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than San Diego because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

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

One day in Beijing or San Diego?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. 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.

In San Diego, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Beijing or San Diego?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In San Diego, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Beijing or San Diego?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

San Diego is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Diego has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Beijing or San Diego?

Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beijing, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Diego. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Diego. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or San Diego?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of San Diego. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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 Beijing 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 Beijing or San Diego in the Summer?

Both San Diego and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Diego for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Beijing is generally a little warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), 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 Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and San Diego. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Diego in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Beijing is cooler than San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beijing usually receives more rain than San Diego. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or San Diego in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as San Diego. Many visitors come to Beijing in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than San Diego. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Beijing is generally cooler than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), 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 Beijing. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives more rain than San Diego. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 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 Beijing