A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Greenville vs. San Diego for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Greenville or San Diego?

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 Greenville and San Diego can help you decide which place is right for you.

Greenville

Greenville is a welcoming, hospitable, and southern city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Greenville 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music. See San Diego travel costs.

Greenville and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less popular for students
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students


Is there more to do in Greenville or San Diego?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Diego than Greenville, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Diego is more touristy than Greenville and is known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. It is also home to The San Diego Zoo. Greenville is popular for its outdoor spaces and its growing arts scene.

How is Greenville different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Greenville
San Diego

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

Many visitors head to San Diego specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Greenville is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Museums focus on art, history, and science. Notable museums in town include the Greenville County Museum of Art, the Upcountry History Museum, and the Sigal Music Museum.


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

Greenville
San Diego

San Diego is a great coastal city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Greenville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

San Diego has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Greenville offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The food scene is growing and the farm-to-table movement is apparent here, but the city is still often overlooked by foodies in the area.

Is Greenville or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

Greenville
San Diego

San Diego is a great coastal city for its evening party scene. Also, Greenville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Greenville. Bars, breweries, and low key clubs are what drive the city's nightlife scene. There are both piano bars and live music venues that often lean towards the local country classics.

Is Greenville or San Diego Better for Music?

Greenville
San Diego

San Diego is a great coastal city for its music scene. However, Greenville is not a live music destination.

San Diego has a thriving music scene. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Greenville is not a live music destination.


Is Greenville or San Diego Better for Resorts?

Greenville
San Diego

San Diego is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Greenville 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.

Greenville is not a resort destination.

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

Greenville
San Diego

San Diego is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Greenville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving 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.

Greenville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Greenville or San Diego Better for Beaches?

Greenville
San Diego

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

With world-famous beaches, San Diego is a very popular vacation 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.

Greenville is not a beach destination.


Is Greenville or San Diego Better for Hiking?

Greenville
San Diego

San Diego is a great coastal city for hiking. However, Greenville is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to San Diego for the hiking trails. 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.

Greenville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Greenville or San Diego?

Greenville
San Diego

If you're looking to go shopping, Greenville and San Diego both offer plenty of good spots.

Greenville has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find upscale shopping in the city's downtown and sprawling shopping malls in other neighborhoods. There are plenty of name brand stores where you can pick up the latest style.

San Diego is a great destination for 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 Greenville or San Diego More Beautiful?

Greenville
San Diego

San Diego is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Greenville is not a destination known for its beauty.

San Diego offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Many people enjoy city's beautiful coastline and surrounding natural beauty.

Greenville is not a destination known for its beauty.


Is Greenville or San Diego Better for Families?

Greenville
San Diego

San Diego is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Greenville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

San Diego is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Greenville is a family-friendly place to visit. There are many local families in town, so you'll find all kinds of kid-friendly activities to enjoy. Paris Mountain State Park is a popular place where everyone can run around. Falls Park on the Reedy River also has walking trails and is in the city's historic district. There's also a children's theater and plenty of playgrounds around town.

Is Greenville or San Diego Better for Couples?

Greenville
San Diego

San Diego is an unbeatable place for couples. However, Greenville is not known for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, San Diego 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.

Greenville is not the best destination for a couple to visit. You can take the free trolley down Main Street and then enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants.

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

Greenville
San Diego

San Diego is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Greenville is not known for backpackers.

San Diego is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Greenville is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. While there are students in the area, there is little else to bring backpackers to town.


Is Greenville or San Diego Better for Students?

Greenville
San Diego

San Diego is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Greenville is not known for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit San Diego. 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.

Greenville is a decent spot for students. Furman University has a pretty campus and is a nice place to visit.

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

Greenville
San Diego

Greenville and San Diego both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Greenville. There are free trolleys that make their way around the downtown neighborhoods.

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 Greenville or San Diego a more walkable city?

Greenville
San Diego

San Diego is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Greenville is not known 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.

Greenville is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is surprisingly walkable, but like most cities in the area, you need a car to make the most of your visit.


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

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Greenville?

How long in Greenville or San Diego?

In either Greenville or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than Greenville because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Greenville, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

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


  • How many days in Greenville or San Diego? Ideal Length of Stay
    Greenville 1-2 
    San Diego 3-5

One day in Greenville or San Diego?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Greenville. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Greenville has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With museums and nightlife around the dynamic coastal city of San Diego, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Greenville or San Diego?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the welcoming destination of Greenville. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With nightlife and live music around the destination of San Diego, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Greenville or San Diego?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the welcoming city of Greenville. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

San Diego, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


A week in Greenville or San Diego?

Greenville is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

San Diego is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, San Diego or Greenville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Greenville Prices
    USA Prices
    San Diego Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Greenville $0.00
    San Diego $233

The average daily cost (per person) in Greenville is $0.00, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $233. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Greenville and San Diego in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Greenville -
    San Diego $115
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Greenville $0.00
    San Diego $230
Compare Hotels in Greenville and San Diego

Looking for a hotel in Greenville or San Diego? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Greenville


Hotels in San Diego


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Greenville Hotel Prices and San Diego Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Greenville $158
    San Diego $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Greenville

Also for Greenville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $174
  • Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
  • Greenville to Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) - Departure Private Transfer: $87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego

Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Tijuana Intl Airport (TIJ) to Playas de Rosarito - Arrival Private Transfer: $276
  • Private Transfer Airport Tijuana/Valle de Guadalupe (Ensenada) or back.: $165
  • Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
  • Private Transfer from Tijuana to Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe: $140
  • Sedan Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego: $125
  • Departure Private Transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car: $113
  • Sedan Departure Transfer San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN: $104
  • San Diego Airport: One-Way Transfer to San Diego downtown: $90
  • Private Arrival Transfer - from San Diego Airport (SAN) by SUV: $89
  • Private Transfer from San Diego (SAN) Airport to San Diego City: $88
  • Private Transfer from San Diego City to San Diego (SAN) Airport: $88
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Tijuana Airport (TIJ): $77

Is it cheaper to fly into Greenville or San Diego?

Prices for flights to both San Diego and Greenville change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Greenville $37
    San Diego $77
Typical Food Prices in Greenville

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Greenville:


  • Marble Slab Creamery (for 2)
    $9.00

Typical Food Prices in San Diego

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:


  • Mexican Lunch for Two
    $27
  • Breakfast at Starbucks
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego

For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 2-Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
  • 2 Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef in San Diego : $75
  • 2-Hour Pasta Cooking Class at a Local Brewery: $75
  • Pizza and Ice Cream Walking Tour: $80
  • Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $84
  • San Diego Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $85
  • North Park San Diego Walking Food Tour: $85
  • Vegan Food Tour: $89
  • Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: $89
  • Little Italy Food and Drink Walking Tour: Pizza, Pasta & Piazzas: $90
  • Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $95
  • Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Greenville $25
    San Diego $48

Tours and Activities in Greenville

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Greenville.

  • Epic Royalty Themed Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Greenville: $10
  • Greenville Bites and Sights Lunch Tour: $95
  • Greenville City Segway Tour: $75
  • Greenville Craft Cocktail Tour: $120
  • Greenville Haunted Bar Tour: $35
  • 2-Hour Cocktail Tour: $109
  • 2-Hour Dessert Tour: $90
  • Bites and Sights Guided Walking Tour: $95
  • Downtown Helicopter Tour: $110
  • Helicopter Tour of Lake Robinson and Mountains: $275
  • Saturday Morning Breakfast Tour: $90
  • Scenic Helicopter Tour Over Swamp Rabbit Trail: $165

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Diego

For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • San Diego Zoo
    $15
  • Sea World Parking
    $12

Tours and Activities in San Diego

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.

  • Gaslamp Quarter to Little Italy Tour: $39
  • Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission Ticket: $28
  • Old Town Walking Tour: $129
  • The La Jolla Walking Tour: $119
  • The Little Italy Walking Tour: $99
  • 1 Hour GPS Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter: $92
  • 1-Hour Private Scenic Tandem Sidecar Tour in San Diego: $99
  • 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
  • 2-Hour Downtown and Balboa Tour in GPS Guided Vanderhall GoCar: $288
  • 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown San Diego and Old Town: $52
  • 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park: $90
  • 2-Hour San Diego Pier Fishing Experience: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Greenville -
    San Diego $21

Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego

Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
  • Downtown Bar Crawl Party Pass: $25
  • History Tour Pub Crawl of Famous Gaslamp Quarter: $30
  • Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen: $35
  • Hillcrest Drag Queen 5 Bar Crawl with Shots: $45
  • Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
  • $99 Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tours - DayTrip to baja from San Diego: $123
  • Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
  • Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
  • Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
  • Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tour: $249
  • Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour to Guadalupe Valley from San Diego: $269


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

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


Which is Bigger, Greenville or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Greenville. When comparing the sizes of Greenville 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.