A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key West vs. Sonoma for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Resorts

Should you visit Key West or Sonoma?

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

Should I visit Key West or Sonoma? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Key West

Key West is a laid-back, quirky, and eclectic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Key West attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and food. See Key West travel costs.

Sonoma

Sonoma is a relaxing, scenic, and serene county. You'll find world class beauty in Sonoma as well. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Sonoma travel costs.

Key West and Sonoma: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key West or Sonoma?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sonoma. Although Key West and Sonoma are both popular with visitors, Sonoma has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sonoma is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Key West is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Key West is popular for its festive nightlife, quirky town center, colorful personality, adrenaline-filled watersports, stunning beaches, turquoise water, and location at the southernmost point of the continental U.S. Sonoma is popular for its world-class winemaking and sustainable agriculture. It is also home to Buena Vista Winery.

How is Key West different from Sonoma?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Key West or Sonoma?

Sonoma is a moderate county for its sights and museums. However, Key West does not have museums and landmarks.

Sonoma offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While most people don't think of museums when they think of Sonoma, there are actually some interesting local options. The California Indian Museum, the Cotati Museum, and the Depot Park Museum are also local are fascinating.

Key West does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Key West or Sonoma? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sonoma is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Key West is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Sonoma is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Although wine may be the first thing you think about, the region is also filled with farm-to-table restaurants and award-winning dining options. The food is almost always fresh and local. You can sample many local ingredients such as vegetables, cheeses, olive oils, and fish.

Key West has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to town for local restaurants with quirky atmospheres. There are many local dishes to sample, but the town is most known for its stone crabs, conch fritters, and Mahi Mahi sandwiches. You'll also find cold drinks and waterfront dining areas.

Is Key West or Sonoma Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are excellent in both Key West and Sonoma.

Key West has plenty to do after the sun goes down. This area has some of the most lively nightlife in the Florida Keys. There are quirky bars and fun hangouts where you can spend the evening. The party starts at Mallory Square around sunset and many bars stay open well into the early hours. You can also enjoy sunset cruises or pass your time at one of the many tiki bars.

Sonoma has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Lounges, wine bars, and live music venues offer a variety of activities for visitors during the evening hours.

Is Key West or Sonoma Better for Resorts?

Key West and Sonoma offer a relatively similar set of excellent luxury resort options.

Key West is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of high end resorts around the island, many with recognizable names such as the Hyatt and Hilton. Prices can be high, but these resorts often come with reliable luxury.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Sonoma. Spa hotels, charming inns, and beautiful resorts all offer a variety of options for visitors.

Is Key West or Sonoma Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key West is a town with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sonoma is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Key West. There are a number of dive shops and snorkeling excursions that leave from Key West. Like many tourist areas these days, the coral shows its damage from the crowds, but you'll likely see some barracuda or a Grouper.

Sonoma is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key West or Sonoma Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Key West and Sonoma are excellent choices.

Key West is considered a top beach destination. One of the best beaches in the area is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The beach has soft sand and stunning turquoise water. As is typical in the Keys, the water stays shallow for great distances.

Sonoma is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The county has a coastline that includes several great beaches as well as rocky shoreline. The beaches include secluded coves and picturesque cliffs as well as sand dunes and sandy beaches.

Is Key West or Sonoma Better for its Old Town?

Key West is a great town for its historic old town charm. However, Sonoma does not have a historic old town.

Key West is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town has the most charming Old Town areas in the Florida Keys. Head to Mallory Square for the sunset street performers and explore the historic streets around Duval Street.

Sonoma does not have a historic old town.

Is Key West or Sonoma Better for Hiking?

Sonoma is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Key West is not a hiking destination.

Sonoma is a popular spot for hiking. In between wine tastings you can explore the area's stunning natural beauty. There are hikes through the vineyards, along the coast, or through forested parks. Some of the best hikes are found in Jack London State Historic Park, Sugarloaf State Park, and Armstrong Woods State Park.

Key West is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Key West or Sonoma?

Sonoma is notable for its shopping opportunities. However, Key West is a mediocre town for its shopping areas.

Sonoma is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find a range of local vendors in the area, selling everything from jewelry to art, home decor, and olive oil.

Key West has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. While it definitely has its share of gimmicky souvenir shops and t-shirt stores, there are still a number of art galleries and local shops around Key West where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Key West or Sonoma More Beautiful?

Sonoma is renowned for its scenery and beauty. Also, Key West is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Sonoma as well. The lined vineyards are strikingly beautiful and the setting offers stunning viewpoints and a serene beauty.

With stunning beauty, Key West attracts visitors from all around. There are blue waters as far as the eye can see. It doesn't get much more beautiful than this.

Is Key West or Sonoma Better for Families?

Key West is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sonoma is not as popular, but is still a nice county for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Key West. Families that enjoy snorkeling, aquariums, water sports, and exploring new places will enjoy visiting this part of the Florida Keys. There are many ways to get out on the water from kayaking and snorkeling to glass bottom boat tours and sunset cruises. There are also many kid-friendly beaches in the area. The town can have a party atmosphere, but it's not hard to find a more family-friendly area where everyone can have fun.

Sonoma is a family-friendly place to visit. While most people think immediately of wine tours, there's actually a lot more to Sonoma County. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in the area, which include beaches, parks, wildlife viewing, and more. There's also horseback riding and even ziplining opportunities.

Is Key West or Sonoma Better for Couples?

Sonoma is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Key West is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Sonoma makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It has long been a favorite honeymoon destination for couples who come for the vineyards and wine tours. There are also charming hotels, award winning restaurants, and beautiful beaches.

Key West makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. From Mallory Square to the beautiful nearby parks, Key West makes a wonderful, romantic destination. Whether it's your honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply a couples' retreat, Key West is a great option. You can sip wine on a sunset cruise or dine at one of the many character-filled restaurants in town. If you are looking for a party, it's not hard to find, but if you want a more laid back holiday, that's also possible.

Is Key West or Sonoma Better for Students?

Key West is a great town for its student-friendly activities. However, Sonoma is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Key West. It's a great spring break destination with a quirky personality and many great activities.

Sonoma is not popular with students.

Is Key West or Sonoma Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Key West or Sonoma offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Key West. Public transportation in Key West is limited to a few buses.

Public transit is quite limited in Sonoma. While there are buses, they are almost never used by tourists. There is the Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley which you should purchase tickets for in advance.

Is Key West or Sonoma a more walkable city?

Key West is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Sonoma is not known for its walkability.

Key West is a somewhat walkable town. The town is the most walkable part of the Florida Keys. The area around Mallory Square and Duval Street is the most pedestrian friendly.

Sonoma is not a walkable town. You really must have a car to get around the area and explore it efficiently.

For even more information, also check out Is Key West Worth Visiting? and Is Sonoma Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sonoma or Key West?

How long in Key West or Sonoma?

It's fun to spend time in either Key West or Sonoma. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Key West due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key West, and 2-4 days is enough time in Sonoma.

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

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

One day in Key West or Sonoma?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the quaint destination of Key West. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful county of Sonoma offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Key West or Sonoma?

Key West 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.

Sonoma is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this county makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sonoma, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Key West or Sonoma?

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

Sonoma is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food 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.

A week in Key West or Sonoma?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the lively destination of Key West. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

Sonoma is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This county offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Key West or Sonoma?

Key West has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sonoma. When comparing the sizes of Key West and Sonoma, 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 Key West or Sonoma?

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 Key West or Sonoma in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Key West as well as Sonoma. Many visitors come to Key West in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Sonoma for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Key West is a little warmer than Sonoma. Typically, the summer temperatures in Key West in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Sonoma averages at about 73°F (23°C).

Key West usually gets more rain in July than Sonoma. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key West or Sonoma in the Autumn?

Both Sonoma and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Key West for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sonoma because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Key West is generally much warmer than Sonoma. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 80°F (27°C), and Sonoma fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Key West. In October, Key West usually receives more rain than Sonoma. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.

Should I visit Key West or Sonoma in the Winter?

Both Sonoma and Key West during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Key West because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sonoma this time of year.

Key West is much warmer than Sonoma in the winter. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Sonoma fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Key West usually gets less rain in January than Sonoma. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key West or Sonoma in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Sonoma. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Key West this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sonoma for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Key West is much warmer than Sonoma. Typically, the spring temperatures in Key West in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Sonoma averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In April, Key West usually receives less rain than Sonoma. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Key West is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Sonoma and Key West