A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Fairfield vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fairfield or Columbia River Gorge?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fairfield and Columbia River Gorge 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.

Where Should I go: Fairfield or Columbia River Gorge?

Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Fairfield or Columbia River Gorge?

Fairfield has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Fairfield and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Fairfield or Columbia River Gorge?

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 Fairfield or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Fairfield during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Fairfield is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the summer. The daily temperature in Fairfield averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Fairfield. In the summer, Fairfield often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Fairfield gets 439 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun.

Fairfield usually gets less rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Fairfield gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Fairfield or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Fairfield and Columbia River Gorge. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

In the autumn, Fairfield is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fairfield in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 55°F (13°C).

In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fairfield usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during autumn. Fairfield gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Fairfield usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Fairfield gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Fairfield or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Fairfield as well as Columbia River Gorge. Also, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Columbia River Gorge. In January, Fairfield is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Fairfield average around 46°F (8°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Fairfield often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Fairfield gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbia River Gorge. Fairfield usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Fairfield gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Fairfield or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Fairfield are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the spring for the natural beauty.

Fairfield is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the spring. The daily temperature in Fairfield averages around 56°F (13°C) in April, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fairfield. Fairfield usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during spring. Fairfield gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Fairfield usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Fairfield gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Fairfield