A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America San Diego vs. Albuquerque for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit San Diego or Albuquerque?

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 San Diego and Albuquerque. 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.

San Diego

San Diego is a hip, dynamic, and energetic coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. San Diego is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music. See San Diego travel costs.

Albuquerque

Albuquerque is a desert, historic, and traditional town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping. See Albuquerque travel costs.

San Diego and Albuquerque: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Diego or Albuquerque?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Diego than Albuquerque. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. San Diego is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Albuquerque attracts visitors for its historical sights and shopping. San Diego is more touristy than Albuquerque and is known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. It is also well known for The San Diego Zoo. Albuquerque is famous for its adobe architecture, artisan shops, fascinating cultural venues, and surrounding desert landscapes.

How is San Diego different from Albuquerque?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Diego or Albuquerque?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both San Diego and Albuquerque.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around San Diego. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.

Albuquerque offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The old town has a lot of history including the San Felipe de Neri Church. Also worth visiting is the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Unser Racing Museum, and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.

Is the Food Better in San Diego or Albuquerque? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both San Diego and Albuquerque.

San Diego has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.

Dining out in Albuquerque is an experience not to be missed. The city's local cuisine combines Native American and Spanish flavors to make a variety of unique specialties. You should try the green chili stew, breakfast burrito, sopaipillas, and blue corn pancakes.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque Better for Nightlife?

San Diego is a great coastal city for nightlife. Also, Albuquerque is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in San Diego has something for everybody. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Albuquerque. Head downtown and to the Nob Hill neighborhood for wine bars, breweries, and billiard halls. These areas have the best nightlife scene and they're also compact enough to explore on foot.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque Better for Music?

San Diego is a great coastal city for live music. However, Albuquerque is not a live music destination.

San Diego has a thriving music scene. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Albuquerque is not a live music destination.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Albuquerque is not a resort destination.

San Diego has a handful of resorts to choose from. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.

Albuquerque is not a resort destination.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

San Diego is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Albuquerque is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in San Diego. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.

Albuquerque is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque Better for Beaches?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for its beaches. However, Albuquerque is not a beach destination.

San Diego offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Albuquerque is not a beach destination.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque Better for its Old Town?

Albuquerque is renowned for its old town. However, San Diego does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Albuquerque is one of the most recognized in the world. There is a wonderful old town where the city's first neighborhood was established. It dates back to the early 1700's and has its roots in Spanish colonial history. The area has many adobe houses, great local restaurants, and artisan shops.

San Diego does not have a historic old town.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque Better for Hiking?

San Diego is a great coastal city for hiking. Also, Albuquerque is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to San Diego for the hiking trails. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.

Albuquerque is a good destination for hiking. The desert landscape is varied and beautiful. Popular trails in the area include Tree Spring Trail, Birdhouse Ridge, and West Ridge.

Is the Shopping Better in San Diego or Albuquerque?

Albuquerque is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its shopping areas.

Albuquerque is well-known for its shopping. The city's old town has many cultural artisan shops where you can buy local items. It's a fun and unique shopping experience, and though it sometimes feels a bit touristy, there are many local shops that offer an authentic experience.

Many visitors go to San Diego to go shopping. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque More Beautiful?

San Diego is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Albuquerque is not a destination known for its beauty.

San Diego is a gorgeous place to visit. Many people enjoy city's beautiful coastline and surrounding natural beauty.

Albuquerque is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque Better for Families?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Albuquerque is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, San Diego is very family-friendly. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.

Albuquerque is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of nature centers as well as the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo. Outside of town there are many parks and natural areas to explore.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque Better for Couples?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Albuquerque is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

San Diego is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.

Albuquerque is a very popular place to visit for couples. Surrounded by natural beauty, and filled with culture and charm, this city makes a great romantic getaway. It's particularly wonderful during the famous International Balloon Fiesta.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Diego is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Albuquerque is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit San Diego. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Albuquerque is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are campgrounds around that offer affordable and fun places to stay, but in general this town isn't particularly backpacker friendly.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque Better for Students?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Albuquerque is not as popular, but is still a nice town for students.

San Diego is a very popular place to visit for students. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.

Albuquerque is a good coastal city to visit for students. It offers a unique cultural environment that students can appreciate. There are also many outdoor recreational opportunities.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

San Diego and Albuquerque both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.

Public transit is generally limited in Albuquerque. ABQ Ride is the bus system around town, but most visitors prefer to have their own car.

Is San Diego or Albuquerque a more walkable city?

San Diego and Albuquerque are nice when it comes to walkability.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.

Albuquerque is a somewhat walkable coastal city. Walkable areas include the old town, the area around the University of New Mexico, and the uptown area.

For even more information, also check out Is San Diego Worth Visiting? and Is Albuquerque Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Albuquerque or San Diego?

How long in San Diego or Albuquerque?

It's fun to spend time in either San Diego or Albuquerque. Generally, people tend to spend more time in San Diego due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for San Diego, and 2-4 days is enough time in Albuquerque.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Diego than Albuquerque 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 San Diego.

One day in San Diego or Albuquerque?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the outdoorsy coastal city of San Diego. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the beaches. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Albuquerque. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in San Diego or Albuquerque?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the hip destination of San Diego. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Albuquerque. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in San Diego or Albuquerque?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the idyllic coastal city of San Diego. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural town of Albuquerque. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in San Diego or Albuquerque?

Many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting San Diego. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Albuquerque is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, San Diego or Albuquerque?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Albuquerque. When comparing the sizes of San Diego and Albuquerque, 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.