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

Should you visit New Orleans or Sonoma?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between New Orleans and Sonoma 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.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a festive, vibrant, and energetic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, nightlife, and live music. See New Orleans travel costs.

Sonoma

Sonoma is a serene, relaxing, and scenic county. Sonoma is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Sonoma travel costs.

New Orleans and Sonoma: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Sonoma?

Visitors will usually find more to do in New Orleans than Sonoma, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. New Orleans is better known for its nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Sonoma is more popular for its museums and attractions, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is well known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Also, New Orleans is famous for The French Quarter. Sonoma is well known for its world-class winemaking and sustainable agriculture.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Sonoma?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sonoma is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Sonoma specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both New Orleans and Sonoma both to be world-class destinations.

Many restaurants in New Orleans have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

Eat your way through Sonoma, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is New Orleans or Sonoma Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Sonoma is not as popular, but is still a nice county for nightlife.

New Orleans is a must-see party destination. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

Sonoma offers plenty to do in the evening. Lounges, wine bars, and live music venues offer a variety of activities for visitors during the evening hours.

Is New Orleans or Sonoma Better for Music?

New Orleans is terrific for its music scene. However, Sonoma is not a live music destination.

New Orleans has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Sonoma is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Sonoma Better for Resorts?

Sonoma is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, New Orleans is not a resort destination.

In Sonoma, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Spa hotels, charming inns, and beautiful resorts all offer a variety of options for visitors.

New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Is New Orleans or Sonoma Better for Beaches?

Sonoma is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Sonoma attract visitors from all over. 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 Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is New Orleans or Sonoma Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Sonoma does not have a historic old town.

New Orleans is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Sonoma does not have a historic old town.

Is New Orleans or Sonoma Better for Hiking?

Sonoma is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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 Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Sonoma?

Sonoma is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sonoma. You'll find a range of local vendors in the area, selling everything from jewelry to art, home decor, and olive oil.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is New Orleans or Sonoma More Beautiful?

Sonoma is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, New Orleans is not a destination known for its beauty.

Sonoma is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The lined vineyards are strikingly beautiful and the setting offers stunning viewpoints and a serene beauty.

New Orleans is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Orleans or Sonoma Better for Families?

Sonoma is a county with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Sonoma is a family-friendly county. 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is New Orleans or Sonoma Better for Couples?

Sonoma is a world-class destination for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Sonoma is a great county for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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 Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is New Orleans or Sonoma Better for Students?

New Orleans is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Sonoma is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit New Orleans. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Sonoma is not popular with students.

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

New Orleans is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Sonoma is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Public transit is limited or non-existant 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 Orleans or Sonoma a more walkable city?

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

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable city. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

For even more information, also check out Is New Orleans Worth Visiting? and Is Sonoma Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sonoma or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Sonoma?

It's fun to spend time in either New Orleans or Sonoma. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Sonoma due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for New Orleans, and 2-4 days is enough time in Sonoma.

Families should spend more time in Sonoma than New Orleans. 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 Orleans. 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 New Orleans than Sonoma 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 New Orleans.

One day in New Orleans or Sonoma?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of New Orleans. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxing county of Sonoma. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the food. 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.

A weekend in New Orleans or Sonoma?

New Orleans 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxing destination of Sonoma. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This county offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in New Orleans or Sonoma?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

The relaxing county of Sonoma offers shopping and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in New Orleans or Sonoma?

Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the vibrant destination of New Orleans. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Sonoma. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the food. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between New Orleans and Sonoma, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Sonoma?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Sonoma. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans 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 Orleans or Sonoma?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit New Orleans or Sonoma in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Sonoma. The summer months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sonoma this time of year.

In July, New Orleans is generally a little warmer than Sonoma. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 82°F (28°C), and Sonoma fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Sonoma. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Orleans or Sonoma in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Sonoma. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sonoma for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

New Orleans is a little warmer than Sonoma in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Sonoma fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

New Orleans usually gets more rain in October than Sonoma. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Sonoma in the Winter?

Both Sonoma and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Sonoma in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, New Orleans is a little warmer than Sonoma. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Orleans in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Sonoma averages at about 46°F (8°C).

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Sonoma. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Orleans or Sonoma in the Spring?

Both Sonoma and New Orleans during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sonoma for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, New Orleans is generally much warmer than Sonoma. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 68°F (20°C), and Sonoma fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in April than Sonoma. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Sonoma receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sonoma and New Orleans