A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cape Canaveral vs. Pasadena for Attractions, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Cape Canaveral or Pasadena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cape Canaveral 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.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral is a fascinating, wonder-filled, and unique town. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Cape Canaveral travel costs.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a quaint, charming, and picturesque city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Pasadena travel costs.

Cape Canaveral and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Canaveral or Pasadena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cape Canaveral. Although Cape Canaveral and Pasadena are popular destinations, Cape Canaveral has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cape Canaveral is very popular for its museums and attractions, resorts, and beaches, while Pasadena attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, and shopping. Cape Canaveral is more touristy than Pasadena and is popular for being the location of the Kennedy Space Center and at the heart of space exploration in the United States. It is also well known for The Kennedy Space Center. Pasadena is famous for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Cape Canaveral different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cape Canaveral or Pasadena?

Cape Canaveral is an amazing town to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Cape Canaveral on the map. The area has become synonymous with the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors head to the Space Coast to see the museums, learn about the space program, or possibly even see a rocket launch. The attractions are world class and offer a truly unique glimpse into the evolution of space travel.

Pasadena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Is the Food Better in Cape Canaveral or Pasadena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pasadena is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Pasadena has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Cape Canaveral offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's a small town but there's no shortage of excellent seafood in the area. Many restaurants have outdoor seating and patios that let you take advantage of the Florida sunshine. You'll find crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams on many menus around town.

Is Cape Canaveral or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Pasadena has something for everybody. 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.

Most people don't head to Cape Canaveral specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The area isn't known for its nightlife scene, but there are enough places that you can go out for a good meal and drink.

Is Cape Canaveral or Pasadena Better for Resorts?

Cape Canaveral is a good destination for its resorts. However, Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Cape Canaveral has a few great resort options. There are a number of resorts in the area that attract visitors. Some of the most popular are the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort and the Radisson Resort.

Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Is Cape Canaveral or Pasadena Better for Beaches?

Cape Canaveral is a good destination for the beach. However, Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Cape Canaveral offers a nice beach destination. You'll likely want to head to the Cocoa Beach area for the best beaches. Jetty Park Beach and Pier is one of the most popular nearby areas for fishing and camping, but visitors must purchase a pass. Other popular beaches include Playalinda Beach and Cherie Down Park.

Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Canaveral or Pasadena?

Pasadena is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Pasadena. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Cape Canaveral is a great destination for shopping. There are some nice local shopping areas around town. For a little retail therapy, head to Banana River Square, White Rose Shopping Center, or Belair Courtyard.

Is Cape Canaveral or Pasadena Better for Families?

Cape Canaveral is an amazing town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Cape Canaveral is very family-friendly. What sets this area apart is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. There are many kid-friendly activities that outer space enthusiasts will love. Planet Play is a highlight, and if your timing is right, you might even see a rocket launch. In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, the area is a quintessential beach town. There are parks and outdoor areas as well as places where kids can interact with animals.

Pasadena is a family-friendly town. 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 Cape Canaveral or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Cape Canaveral is notable for couples. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Cape Canaveral is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful Florida beaches, combined with the unique opportunity to visit the Kennedy Space Center, make this a fascinating couple's destination. There are also many nice restaurants and great places to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. 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 Cape Canaveral or Pasadena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pasadena is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cape Canaveral is not known 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 Cape Canaveral. There are very limited public transportation options, but there are a few shuttle buses and SCAT (the Space Coast Area Transit). Route 9 travels from Cocoa to Port Canaveral with service available Monday through Saturday.

Is Cape Canaveral or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Pasadena is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its walkability.

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

Cape Canaveral is not a walkable town. It's not a walkable area, which can be particularly challenging if you're arriving by cruise ship.

For even more information, also check out Is Cape Canaveral Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Cape Canaveral?

How long in Cape Canaveral or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cape Canaveral and Pasadena. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pasadena than Cape Canaveral 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.

One day in Cape Canaveral or Pasadena?

The town of Cape Canaveral offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. 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 Cape Canaveral or Pasadena?

Cape Canaveral is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cape Canaveral, a weekend is sufficent for most. 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 Cape Canaveral or Pasadena?

Cape Canaveral is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Five days 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. 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 Cape Canaveral or Pasadena?

Cape Canaveral is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Cape Canaveral or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cape Canaveral. When comparing the sizes of Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral or Pasadena in the Summer?

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

Cape Canaveral is a little warmer than Pasadena in the summer. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cape Canaveral. Cape Canaveral usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Cape Canaveral gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Canaveral and Pasadena. Many visitors come to Cape Canaveral in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pasadena for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Cape Canaveral is a little warmer than Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cape Canaveral in October average around 74°F (24°C), and Pasadena averages at about 68°F (20°C).

Cape Canaveral gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Cape Canaveral gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Cape Canaveral is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Pasadena in the Winter?

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

In January, Cape Canaveral is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Cape Canaveral average around 60°F (15°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Cape Canaveral usually gets less rain in January than Pasadena. Cape Canaveral gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and Cape Canaveral are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Cape Canaveral because of the beaches.

Cape Canaveral is a little warmer than Pasadena in the spring. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 70°F (21°C) in April, and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In April, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Cape Canaveral gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Cape Canaveral is June to November.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Cape Canaveral