A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sacramento vs. Hope for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sacramento or Hope?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sacramento or Hope, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Sacramento

Sacramento is a laid back, relaxed, and undiscovered city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Sacramento travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a friendly, local, and small town. Visitors also love the hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Sacramento and Hope: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Sacramento or Hope?

Both Hope and Sacramento have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Sacramento is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Hope attracts visitors for its hiking. Hope is more touristy than Sacramento and is known for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo." Sacramento is famous for its history and state capital.

How is Sacramento different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sacramento or Hope?

Sacramento
Hope

Sacramento is a great city for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Sacramento specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As the state capital, you'll find a number of historical and informational museums around town. You should check out the State Capital, as well as the California State Railroad Museum, the Crocker Museum of Art, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, and the California Automobile Museum.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.


Is the Food Better in Sacramento or Hope? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sacramento
Hope

Sacramento is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Sacramento. Casual restaurants with laid back atmospheres are what's most common around town. You'll also find a variety of international cuisines that include Korean and Vietnamese.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Sacramento or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Sacramento
Hope

Sacramento is very good for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Sacramento has a few options to choose from. There highest concentration of activities are found in Downtown Sacramento. You'll find bars, clubs and live music in the area. You can also head to midtown, which has performing arts and comedy shows.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Sacramento or Hope Better for Hiking?

Sacramento
Hope

Hope is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Sacramento is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Hope. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Sacramento is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Sacramento or Hope?

Sacramento
Hope

Sacramento is very good for shopping. However, Hope is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Sacramento. You'll find down-to-earth vendors who have reasonable prices and a great selection. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at the Old Sacramento Waterfront or along Folsom Boulevard.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Sacramento or Hope Better for Families?

Sacramento
Hope

Hope is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Hope is very family-friendly. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sacramento. With the large number of families that live in the area, you'll a variety of kid-friendly activities. Options include smaller amusement parks like Funderland Amusement Park, museums like the Sacramento Children's Museum, and indoor trampoline parks. There's also Fairytale Town, which is an imagination filled playground.

Is Sacramento or Hope Better for Couples?

Sacramento
Hope

Hope is a very popular place for its romantic activities. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for couples.

Hope makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

Sacramento is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Picnics, nice restaurants, and shows make for enjoyable date activities while you're in town.


Is Sacramento or Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sacramento
Hope

Hope is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Hope. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

Sacramento is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although most backpackers skip this town for more popular destinations, there are a couple of hostels in town.

Is Sacramento or Hope Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sacramento
Hope

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Sacramento. There's both light rail and buses around town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Sacramento or Hope a more walkable city?

Sacramento
Hope

Sacramento and Hope are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Sacramento is generally not a very walkable city. You'll really want a car to get around town, but Midtown is one of the more walkable areas.

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.


For even more information, also check out Is Sacramento Worth Visiting? and Is Hope Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hope or Sacramento?

How long in Sacramento or Hope?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sacramento and Hope. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hope than in Sacramento. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Sacramento, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hope.

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


  • How many days in Sacramento or Hope? Ideal Length of Stay
    Sacramento 1-2 
    Hope 2-3

One day in Sacramento or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Sacramento. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

With around the friendly town of Hope, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Sacramento or Hope?

Sacramento is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With around the destination of Hope, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Sacramento or Hope?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the undiscovered destination of Sacramento. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hope, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


A week in Sacramento or Hope?

The relaxed city of Sacramento offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Hope is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Hope or Sacramento?

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

  • Sacramento Prices
    USA Prices
    Hope Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Sacramento $320
    Hope $47

The average daily cost (per person) in Sacramento is $320, while the average daily cost in Hope is $47. 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 Sacramento and Hope in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sacramento $111
    Hope $8.89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sacramento $222
    Hope $18
Compare Hotels in Sacramento and Hope

Looking for a hotel in Sacramento or Hope? 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 Sacramento


Hotels in Hope


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: Sacramento Hotel Prices and Hope Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sacramento $51
    Hope -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sacramento

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

  • Napa, CA to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer : $294
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $294
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address- RoundTrip Private Transfer: $186
  • Sacramento City to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento Arrival Private Transfer: $93
  • One Way Airport Transfer Service: $74

Is it cheaper to fly into Sacramento or Hope?

Prices for flights to both Hope and Sacramento 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
    Sacramento $92
    Hope $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sacramento

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

  • Chinese Wonton Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
  • Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour: $98
  • Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour: $98
  • Thai Cooking Class in Southeastern Sacramento (4-Course Menu): $108
  • Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $115
  • Midtown Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $125
  • Discover Midtown - Delicious Walking Food Tour: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sacramento $19
    Hope -

Tours and Activities in Sacramento

For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 60 Minute Adventures - The Escape Game at The Galleria: $42
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Auburn to Placerville: $15
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Jackson to Angels Camp: $15
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Placerville to Jackson: $15
  • City Cruises Rock the Yacht Cocktail Cruise 21+: $49
  • Davis Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Downtown Sacramento Mural and Art Walking Tour : $45
  • Driving in Delta’s Wine Country: Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Folsom Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Granite Adventure at Quarry Park Adventures Rocklin, CA: $59
  • Historic Folsom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99

Tours and Activities in Hope

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

  • From Vancouver: 2-Day Kelowna Wine, Lake, and Farm Tour: $296
  • From Vancouver: 3-Day Tour to Manning Park, Nelson & Osoyoos: $379

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sacramento $12
    Hope $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Sacramento

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

  • Apple Hill Wine Tasting Tours And Placerville wine tasting tours: $169
  • Old Vine Express Train Ride with Wine Tasting: $174


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

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


Which is Bigger, Sacramento or Hope?

Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Sacramento and Hope, 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 Sacramento or Hope?

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 Sacramento or Hope in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sacramento and Hope. Most visitors come to Sacramento for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Hope because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sacramento is generally a little warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Sacramento average around 76°F (24°C), and Hope fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In July, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Hope. Sacramento gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sacramento 76°F (24°C) 
    Hope 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Sacramento or Hope in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sacramento as well as Hope. The autumn months attract visitors to Sacramento because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Hope this time of year.

Sacramento is much warmer than Hope in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sacramento averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Sacramento usually gets less rain in October than Hope. Sacramento gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sacramento 64°F (18°C) 
    Hope 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Sacramento or Hope in the Winter?

Both Hope and Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sacramento this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hope for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hope. In the winter, Sacramento is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sacramento in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Hope averages at about 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hope. In January, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Hope. Sacramento gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sacramento 45°F (7°C) 
    Hope 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Sacramento or Hope in the Spring?

Both Hope and Sacramento during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Sacramento is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Sacramento average around 58°F (15°C), and Hope fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sacramento usually gets less rain in April than Hope. Sacramento gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sacramento 58°F (15°C) 
    Hope 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Hope and Sacramento

Sacramento Hope
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 45°F (7°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 3°C (37°F) 201 mm (7.9 in)
Feb 51°F (10°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 5°C (41°F) 164 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 7°C (44°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm) 9°C (49°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
May 65°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 12°C (54°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 15°C (60°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 76°F (24°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 75°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm) 15°C (59°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm) 10°C (51°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 6°C (43°F) 222 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 3°C (37°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)