A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pasadena vs. Vernon for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Pasadena or Vernon?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pasadena and Vernon. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a quaint, charming, and picturesque city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Pasadena travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a quiet, peaceful, and relaxing town. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping. See Vernon travel costs.

Pasadena and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pasadena or Vernon?

Both Vernon and Pasadena have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Pasadena is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Vernon attracts visitors for its hiking. Vernon is more touristy than Pasadena and is known for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails. Pasadena is famous for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Pasadena different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pasadena or Vernon?

Pasadena is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Pasadena can be an interesting and educational experience. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Vernon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Pasadena or Vernon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pasadena is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Pasadena is an experience not to be missed. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Pasadena or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

Pasadena offers plenty to do in the evening. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Pasadena or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Vernon is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

Vernon is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pasadena or Vernon?

Pasadena is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Pasadena. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Vernon. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Pasadena or Vernon Better for Families?

Both Pasadena and Vernon are nice family-friendly destinations.

Pasadena is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Vernon is a family-friendly city. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Pasadena or Vernon Better for Couples?

Pasadena and Vernon both nice destinations for a couple.

Pasadena is a good city for couples to visit. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Is Pasadena or Vernon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pasadena is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Vernon is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Pasadena has a few public transit options. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Public transit is mostly limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Pasadena or Vernon a more walkable city?

Pasadena is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

Pasadena is a somewhat walkable city. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

Vernon is generally not a very walkable city. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

For even more information, also check out Is Pasadena Worth Visiting? and Is Vernon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Pasadena?

How long in Pasadena or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pasadena and Vernon. In our opinion, Pasadena has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Pasadena than Vernon. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pasadena than Vernon 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 Pasadena.

One day in Pasadena or Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Pasadena. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The town of Vernon offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Pasadena or Vernon?

Pasadena 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.

Vernon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Vernon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Pasadena or Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pasadena. 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.

Vernon is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Pasadena or Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the picturesque destination of Pasadena. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Vernon is a great place to explore. 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 town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Pasadena or Vernon?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Pasadena and Vernon, 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 Pasadena or Vernon?

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 Pasadena or Vernon in the Summer?

Both Vernon and Pasadena are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Pasadena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Vernon for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Pasadena is around the same temperature as Vernon in the summer. The daily temperature in Pasadena averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Vernon. Pasadena gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pasadena or Vernon in the Autumn?

Both Vernon and Pasadena during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Pasadena for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Vernon because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Pasadena is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pasadena in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Vernon averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Pasadena usually gets less rain in October than Vernon. Pasadena gets 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pasadena or Vernon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pasadena and Vernon. The winter months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Vernon this time of year.

It's quite cold in Vernon in the winter. In January, Pasadena is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Pasadena average around 56°F (13°C), and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In January, Pasadena usually receives more rain than Vernon. Pasadena gets 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pasadena or Vernon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pasadena as well as Vernon.

Pasadena is a little warmer than Vernon in the spring. The daily temperature in Pasadena averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Pasadena usually gets more rain in April than Vernon. Pasadena gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Pasadena