A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Augustine vs. Pasadena for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Pasadena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Pasadena, 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.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a colonial, historic, and notable city. Saint Augustine offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Saint Augustine travel costs.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a charming, picturesque, and quaint city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Pasadena travel costs.

Saint Augustine and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Pasadena?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine than Pasadena, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Augustine is better known for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Pasadena is more popular for its nightlife. Saint Augustine is more touristy than Pasadena and is known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. Also, Saint Augustine is famous for the Colonial Quarter. Pasadena is well known for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Saint Augustine different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Augustine or Pasadena?

Saint Augustine
Pasadena

Both Saint Augustine and Pasadena have great landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Saint Augustine can be an interesting and educational experience. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Pasadena. 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.


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

Saint Augustine
Pasadena

Both Saint Augustine and Pasadena offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saint Augustine makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Pasadena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Is Saint Augustine or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Saint Augustine
Pasadena

Pasadena is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Pasadena know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Augustine has a few options to choose from. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Is Saint Augustine or Pasadena Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine
Pasadena

Saint Augustine is notable for the beach. However, Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Saint Augustine for it's beautiful beaches. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Pasadena is not a beach destination.


Is Saint Augustine or Pasadena Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine
Pasadena

Saint Augustine is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Pasadena does not have a historic old town.

Saint Augustine offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Pasadena does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Pasadena?

Saint Augustine
Pasadena

Shopping is a popular activity in both Pasadena and Saint Augustine.

Saint Augustine is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Pasadena is well-known for its shopping. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Is Saint Augustine or Pasadena More Beautiful?

Saint Augustine
Pasadena

Saint Augustine is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Pasadena is not a destination known for its beauty.

Saint Augustine offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Colonial architecture and a charming atmosphere give this historic town a unique beauty.

Pasadena is not a destination known for its beauty.


Is Saint Augustine or Pasadena Better for Families?

Saint Augustine
Pasadena

Saint Augustine is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint Augustine is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Pasadena is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Saint Augustine or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine
Pasadena

Saint Augustine is notable for couples. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Saint Augustine is a very popular place to visit for couples. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. 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.

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

Saint Augustine
Pasadena

Pasadena is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Pasadena, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.


Is Saint Augustine or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine
Pasadena

Saint Augustine is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable destination. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Augustine and Pasadena. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Augustine than in Pasadena. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Saint Augustine or Pasadena? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint Augustine 3-4 
    Pasadena 1-3

One day in Saint Augustine or Pasadena?

The city of Saint Augustine offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

The quaint destination of Pasadena offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Saint Augustine or Pasadena?

Saint Augustine is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

The city of Pasadena offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.


Five days in Saint Augustine or Pasadena?

Saint Augustine 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.

Pasadena is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Saint Augustine or Pasadena?

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pasadena. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


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 Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Pasadena or Saint Augustine?

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

  • Saint Augustine Prices
    USA Prices
    Pasadena Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Saint Augustine $195
    Pasadena $76

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Augustine is $195, while the average daily cost in Pasadena is $76. 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 Saint Augustine and Pasadena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Augustine $86
    Pasadena $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Augustine $172
    Pasadena $50
Compare Hotels in Saint Augustine and Pasadena

Looking for a hotel in Saint Augustine or Pasadena? 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 Saint Augustine


Hotels in Pasadena


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: Saint Augustine Hotel Prices and Pasadena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Augustine $39
    Pasadena $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Augustine or Pasadena?

Prices for flights to both Pasadena and Saint Augustine 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
    Saint Augustine $85
    Pasadena $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Augustine

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Augustine.

  • Cooking Class/Dinner W/ Celebrity French Chef OR Private Chef Ser: $115
  • St. Augustine Historical FOOD Tour on Electric Cart with Pick Up : $129
  • The Ghoulish Gourmet Haunted Food Tour: $129
  • Feast of Saint Augustine Historical Walking Food Tour: $139

Typical Food Prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Augustine $18
    Pasadena -

Tours and Activities in Saint Augustine

Here are a few actual costs in Saint Augustine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • St Augustine Haunted History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Self-Guided Haunted Ghost Walking Audio Tour in St. Augustine: $9.75
  • Historic St Augustine Audio Self Guided App GPS Tour: $9.75
  • Bastions of St. Augustine Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • St. Augustine City Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $15
  • Haunting Hour Walking Ghost Tour: $18
  • Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine: $18
  • Historic Museum Tour Ticket: $19
  • America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
  • St. Augustine's Original Ghostly Experience Walking Tour: $20
  • St. Augustine Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25

Tours and Activities in Pasadena

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:

  • Los Angeles Chocolate Salon and Festival Entry Ticket: $20
  • Pasadena Ghost Tour: Purgatory Phantoms: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Augustine $25
    Pasadena -

Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Augustine

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Augustine:

  • St. Augustine's Booze & Boos Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • St. Augustine Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Dark History Pub Crawl from Saint Augustine: $40
  • Wine Tasting Cruise in St. Augustine : $49
  • Spirits with the Spirits haunted pub crawl - drinks included: $59
  • Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included: $63
  • Mobile Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Tour St. Augustine: $129


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

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


Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Pasadena, 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 Saint Augustine or Pasadena?

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 Saint Augustine or Pasadena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Pasadena. Many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pasadena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

Saint Augustine gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Augustine usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Augustine 82°F (28°C) 
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Pasadena. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Pasadena for the shopping scene during these months.

Saint Augustine is around the same temperature as Pasadena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Augustine 70°F (21°C) 
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Pasadena in the Winter?

Both Pasadena and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Saint Augustine is cooler than Pasadena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Augustine in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Pasadena averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In January, Saint Augustine usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Augustine 53°F (12°C) 
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and Saint Augustine during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Augustine is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 68°F (20°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Augustine 68°F (20°C) 
    Pasadena 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine Pasadena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Feb 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Mar 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
May 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm) 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)