A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Destin vs. Los Angeles for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Destin or Los Angeles?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Destin and Los Angeles can help you decide which place is right for you.

Destin

Destin is a family-friendly, beautiful, and relaxing beach town. Destin offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches. See Destin travel costs.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a diverse, multicultural, and sprawling city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Los Angeles travel costs.

Destin and Los Angeles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Destin or Los Angeles?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Los Angeles than Destin, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Los Angeles is better known for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Destin is more popular for its impressive beauty. Los Angeles is more touristy than Destin and is popular for is many A-list celebrities, its world-famous clubs and venues, its glamourous beaches, and being the location of the iconic Hollywood. Also, Los Angeles is famous for Hollywood. Destin is well known for its powdery sand and turquoise water, its kid-friendly environment, and its local waterfront seafood restaurants.

How is Destin different from Los Angeles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Destin or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is terrific for its sights and museums. However, Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Los Angeles that are not to be missed. The city has an eclectic list of monuments and museums. Notable landmarks include the famous Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, and the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Destin or Los Angeles Better for Theater?

Los Angeles is notable for theatre. However, Destin is not a theatre destination.

Los Angeles has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. While most people think of Hollywood when they think of LA, the city also has a thriving stage presence. Musicals and plays are popular throughout the city.

Destin is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Destin or Los Angeles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Los Angeles is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its restaurants.

Los Angeles has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. As a huge and diverse city, there is no shortage of amazing food options around town. There are a wide range of cuisines represented and many different neighborhoods that specialize in specific types of food. Popular dishes around town include Cobb Salads, Mexican Tacos, and the French Dip Sandwich.

Destin has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The area has great seafood including crab chowder, seafood gumbo, and fried fish. You can find wonderful local restaurants that have waterfront views and menus that feature freshly caught seafood. Many restaurants also have kid-friendly menus. During peak season, reservations are recommended.

Is Destin or Los Angeles Better for Nightlife?

Los Angeles is terrific for nightlife. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for nightlife and partying.

Los Angeles is a must-see party destination. The city's nightlife scene is as diverse as the city itself. There are glamorous clubs where you might spot a celebrity, as well as local dives with a more down-to-earth vibe. Some of the most famous clubs in the city include Academy, Avalon, and Boardner's.

Destin doesn't offer many options. The region is more popular as a family-friendly beach destination than it is for it's nightlife. Head to the Harbor area for the most lively nightlife.

Is Destin or Los Angeles Better for Music?

Los Angeles is terrific for live music. However, Destin is not a live music destination.

Los Angeles is a world class music destination. Music, movies, and show business - it's all part of what Los Angeles is known for. Several famous music venues include The Greek Theatre, Whiskey a Go Go, and The Roxy Theatre.

Destin is not a live music destination.

Is Destin or Los Angeles Better for Resorts?

Luxury resorts are fairly comparable in Destin and Los Angeles.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Destin. Popular options include the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, as well as Hilton Sandestin Beach, Golf Resort & Spa. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of condos that include a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most of these complexes also have pools, hot tubs, and even kids clubs.

Los Angeles is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The city is home to a number of high end resorts including The Beverly Hill Hotel, The Langham Huntington Pasadena, and The Ritz-Carlton.

Is Destin or Los Angeles Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Los Angeles is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Destin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Los Angeles. The coastal setting means that there are a number of places where you can put on a mask and hop in the water. Popular snorkeling or diving spots near the city include Santa Catalina Island, Diver's Cove, and Crystal Cove State Park. Many visitors find the water to be a bit chili, but the wildlife is unique and beautiful.

Destin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Destin or Los Angeles Better for Beaches?

Los Angeles is terrific for its beaches. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for the beach.

With world-famous beaches, Los Angeles is a very popular vacation destination. Ranging from beaches with stunning natural beauty to those with glamourous and fun atmospheres, this city has a number of beaches to choose from. There are many fun and high-energy urban beach settings, and there are also beaches that are lined with parks and offer a more natural environment. Some of the most popular are Santa Monica, Malibu, Huntington Beach, and Redondo Beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Destin. This area is famous for its powdery white sand, beautiful blue waters, and calm waves. The beaches are large enough that they never get incredibly crowded, but you will find the largest crowds during the summer months. These beaches are particularly popular with families and seniors.

Is Destin or Los Angeles Better for Hiking?

Los Angeles is terrific for the nearby hiking options. However, Destin is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Los Angeles specifically for its hiking. In and around the city you'll find world class urban hiking with views of the mountains and the ocean. Some of the most well-known hikes include the Charlie Turner Trail to Mount Hollywood, Runyon Canyon, and the Sara Wan Trailhead at Corral Canyon.

Destin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Destin or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is terrific for shopping. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Los Angeles is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Although it's most famous for the high end shopping at Rodeo Drive, there are actually many different shopping venues throughout the city. Other famous shopping areas include Robertson Blvd and the Grove.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Destin. In the shopping centers around town you'll find a number of unique boutique shops that are fun to explore. They have boutique-style beach clothes, local art, and any beach supplies that you may have forgotten.

Is Destin or Los Angeles More Beautiful?

Destin is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Los Angeles is not a destination known for its beauty.

Destin offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its powdery sand and the blue water of the Gulf of Mexico, this is a beautiful beach destination.

Los Angeles is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Destin or Los Angeles Better for Families?

Los Angeles is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Los Angeles is one of the most popular family destinations. With its many amusement parks, including nearby Disneyland, and its countless family-friendly parks and playgrounds, there is no shortage of things to do with kids around the city. Favorite activities include the amusement parks, exploring Venice Beach, a trip to the California Science Center, and taking a Warner Brothers Studio Tour.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Destin is very family-friendly. The area has beautiful sandy beaches, calm waters, and plenty of activities for kids like Big Kahuna's Water Park. This is one of the more kid-friendly areas in Florida and many families return year after year with their kids. There are also many condos available for rent and kids can have their own room, kitchens are available for meal preparation, and there are washers and dryers to clean clothes. Many of these condo complexes also have kid-friendly pools

Is Destin or Los Angeles Better for Couples?

Los Angeles is terrific for romance. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Los Angeles has plenty to offer. It is a large, sprawling city with tucked away romantic scenes that are perfect for a couple's getaway or a dream honeymoon. There are also trendy nightclubs, world-class restaurants, and high-energy beaches that make for iconic date activities.

Destin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For a relaxing beach vacation, this is a nice option for couples. A lot of the accommodation is in the form of condos, so it may not have the romantic resort vibe you're going for though. There are many great seafood restaurants and quiet beaches that have beautiful sunsets.

Is Destin or Los Angeles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Los Angeles is notable for backpackers. However, Destin is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Los Angeles. The city is a major travel destination for all types, and backpackers will find no shortage of hostels or budget friendly accommodation around town.

Destin is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Destin or Los Angeles Better for Students?

Los Angeles is terrific for students. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Los Angeles. International students have long flocked to this for its major universities and diverse setting. Major universities in the area include UCLA, the University of Southern California, and the California Institute of Technology.

Destin is a decent spot for students. It is more a family-friendly destination than a spring break destination. If you're looking for a place to cut loose and blow off some steam, then there are better options in Florida.

Is Destin or Los Angeles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Los Angeles is very good for its public transit. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for times when you don't have a car.

Los Angeles has a few public transit options. Many of the public transit options are overlooked by visitors for a number of reasons, but options include the subway, light rail, and buses.

Public transit is quite limited in Destin. There is almost no public transit so a car is essential. Some condo complexes do over golf carts to get around the grounds.

Is Destin or Los Angeles a more walkable city?

Los Angeles is very good for its walkability. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for its high level of walkability.

Los Angeles is somewhat walkable. The city is sprawling, but some of the neighborhoods are more walkable than others. Some of the more walkable neighborhoods include Hollywood, Koreatown, Downtown, and MacArthur Park.

Destin is not a very walkable beach town. The area is very spread out and not walkable so you'll need a car to access restaurants and most forms of entertainment.

For even more information, also check out Is Destin Worth Visiting? and Is Los Angeles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Los Angeles or Destin?

How long in Destin or Los Angeles?

Both Destin and Los Angeles have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Los Angeles has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Los Angeles than Destin. However, 5-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Los Angeles than Destin 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 Los Angeles.

One day in Destin or Los Angeles?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the peaceful beach town of Destin. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Los Angeles is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

A weekend in Destin or Los Angeles?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the relaxing destination of Destin. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This beach town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Los Angeles is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Destin or Los Angeles?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the peaceful beach town of Destin. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Los Angeles. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Destin or Los Angeles?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the destination of Destin. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this beach town.

Los Angeles is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Destin or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Destin. When comparing the sizes of Destin and Los Angeles, 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 Destin or Los Angeles?

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 Destin or Los Angeles in the Summer?

Both Los Angeles and Destin during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Destin in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Los Angeles for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Destin is generally a little warmer than Los Angeles. Daily temperatures in Destin average around 82°F (28°C), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Destin. Destin usually gets more rain in July than Los Angeles. Destin gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Destin or Los Angeles in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Destin and Los Angeles. Most visitors come to Destin for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Los Angeles because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Destin is a little warmer than Los Angeles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Destin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Destin usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Destin gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Destin or Los Angeles in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Destin as well as Los Angeles. The winter months attract visitors to Destin because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Los Angeles this time of year.

In the winter, Destin is cooler than Los Angeles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Destin in January average around 50°F (10°C), and Los Angeles averages at about 55°F (13°C).

Destin receives a lot of rain in the winter. Destin usually gets more rain in January than Los Angeles. Destin gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Destin or Los Angeles in the Spring?

Both Los Angeles and Destin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Destin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Los Angeles for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Destin is generally a little warmer than Los Angeles. Daily temperatures in Destin average around 68°F (20°C), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, Destin usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Destin gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Los Angeles and Destin