A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Bern vs. Sonoma for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Attractions

Should you visit New Bern or Sonoma?

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

Should I visit New Bern 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.

New Bern

New Bern is a charming, laid back, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See New Bern travel costs.

Sonoma

Sonoma is a serene, relaxing, and scenic county. The famous beauty of Sonoma is one of the main draws. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Sonoma travel costs.

New Bern and Sonoma: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Sonoma?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sonoma than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sonoma is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while New Bern is more popular for its museums and attractions and small town charm. Sonoma is more touristy than New Bern and is popular for its world-class winemaking and sustainable agriculture. Also, Sonoma is famous for Buena Vista Winery. New Bern is well known for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Sonoma?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in New Bern or Sonoma?

New Bern is a town with good options for its historical sights. However, Sonoma is not known for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around New Bern. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

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.

Is the Food Better in New Bern or Sonoma? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sonoma is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

New Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

Is New Bern or Sonoma Better for Nightlife?

Sonoma is well known for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Sonoma is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Lounges, wine bars, and live music venues offer a variety of activities for visitors during the evening hours.

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Is New Bern or Sonoma Better for Resorts?

Sonoma is well known for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

Sonoma is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Spa hotels, charming inns, and beautiful resorts all offer a variety of options for visitors.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is New Bern or Sonoma Better for Beaches?

Sonoma is well known for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Sonoma is considered a top beach destination. 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.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is New Bern or Sonoma Better for Hiking?

Sonoma is well known for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Sonoma. 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.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Sonoma?

Sonoma is well known for shopping. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Sonoma is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find a range of local vendors in the area, selling everything from jewelry to art, home decor, and olive oil.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is New Bern or Sonoma More Beautiful?

Sonoma is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Sonoma is one of the main draws. The lined vineyards are strikingly beautiful and the setting offers stunning viewpoints and a serene beauty.

New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Bern or Sonoma Better for Families?

Sonoma is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sonoma. 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.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is New Bern or Sonoma Better for Couples?

Sonoma is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

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

Neither New Bern or Sonoma offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

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 New Bern or Sonoma a more walkable city?

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

New Bern is a somewhat walkable town. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

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 New Bern Worth Visiting? and Is Sonoma Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sonoma or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Sonoma?

It's fun to spend time in either New Bern or Sonoma. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Sonoma due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for New Bern, and 2-4 days is enough time in Sonoma.

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

Couples should spend more time in Sonoma than New Bern. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sonoma than New Bern 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 Sonoma.

One day in New Bern or Sonoma?

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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 New Bern or Sonoma?

New Bern is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. 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 New Bern or Sonoma?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Bern. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. 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 New Bern or Sonoma?

New Bern is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Sonoma?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sonoma. When comparing the sizes of New Bern 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 New Bern 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 New Bern or Sonoma in the Summer?

Both Sonoma and New Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to New Bern in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sonoma for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, New Bern is generally a little warmer than Sonoma. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 80°F (27°C), and Sonoma fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than Sonoma. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Sonoma in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Sonoma. Most visitors come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Sonoma because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

New Bern is around the same temperature as Sonoma in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Sonoma fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, New Bern usually receives more rain than Sonoma. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Sonoma in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Sonoma. The winter months attract visitors to New Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sonoma this time of year.

In the winter, New Bern is cooler than Sonoma. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Bern in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Sonoma averages at about 46°F (8°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets more rain in January than Sonoma. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Sonoma in the Spring?

Both Sonoma and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sonoma for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, New Bern is generally a little warmer than Sonoma. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 62°F (16°C), and Sonoma fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, New Bern usually receives more rain than Sonoma. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sonoma and New Bern