A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Diego vs. Halifax for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit San Diego or Halifax?

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 Halifax. 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 energetic, relaxed, and outdoorsy 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 live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See San Diego travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a historical, friendly, and cultural city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Halifax travel costs.

San Diego and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Diego or Halifax?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Diego than Halifax. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. San Diego is more touristy than Halifax 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. Halifax is famous for its maritime past.

How is San Diego different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Halifax 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 Halifax?

San Diego is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to San Diego can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Halifax offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

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

San Diego is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in San Diego. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Halifax. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is San Diego or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

San Diego is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

San Diego has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Halifax has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is San Diego or Halifax Better for Music?

San Diego is a very popular place for live music. However, Halifax is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in San Diego while you're in town. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Halifax is not a live music destination.

Is San Diego or Halifax Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Halifax 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.

Halifax is not a resort destination.

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

San Diego is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Halifax is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

San Diego has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Halifax is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Diego or Halifax Better for Beaches?

San Diego is renowned for its beaches. However, Halifax is not a beach destination.

The beaches in San Diego are among the best in 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.

Halifax is not a beach destination.

Is San Diego or Halifax Better for Hiking?

San Diego is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Halifax is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting San Diego. 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.

Halifax is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Diego or Halifax?

If you're looking to go shopping, San Diego and Halifax both offer plenty of nice spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Diego. 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.

Many visitors go to Halifax to go shopping. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is San Diego or Halifax More Beautiful?

San Diego is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Halifax 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.

Halifax is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is San Diego or Halifax Better for Families?

San Diego is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

San Diego is an amazing family-friendly coastal city to visit. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Halifax. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is San Diego or Halifax Better for Couples?

San Diego is renowned for romance. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

San Diego has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Halifax makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

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

For backpackers, both San Diego and Halifax are nice places to visit.

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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Halifax. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is San Diego or Halifax Better for Students?

San Diego is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Halifax is not popular with students.

San Diego is a great destination 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.

Halifax is not popular with students.

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

Halifax is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, San Diego is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Halifax offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

Public transit is generally 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.

Is San Diego or Halifax a more walkable city?

San Diego and Halifax 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.

Halifax is a somewhat walkable coastal city. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Halifax or San Diego?

How long in San Diego or Halifax?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Diego and Halifax. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than in Halifax. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for San Diego, and 2-3 days is enough time in Halifax.

Families should spend more time in San Diego than Halifax. 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 Halifax. 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 Halifax 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 Halifax?

In San Diego, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Halifax. 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 Halifax?

In San Diego, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. 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 Halifax. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in San Diego or Halifax?

San Diego is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Diego has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Halifax. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in San Diego or Halifax?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Diego. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Diego. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Halifax is a popular choice for travelers. 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 G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Diego and Halifax, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Halifax.

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 Halifax Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Diego or Halifax?

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

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 San Diego or Halifax in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Diego and Halifax. Many visitors come to San Diego in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Halifax for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, San Diego is generally a little warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in San Diego average around 71°F (22°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Halifax this time of the year. In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Diego usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during summer. San Diego gets 306 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Diego usually receives less rain than Halifax. San Diego gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Diego or Halifax in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Diego as well as Halifax. Most visitors come to San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Halifax because of the shopping scene.

San Diego is much warmer than Halifax in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Diego averages around 68°F (20°C) in October, and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In the autumn, San Diego often gets more sunshine than Halifax. San Diego gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Halifax. San Diego usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. San Diego gets 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Diego or Halifax in the Winter?

Both Halifax and San Diego are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to San Diego because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Halifax this time of year.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the winter. In the winter, San Diego is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Diego in January average around 57°F (14°C), and Halifax averages at about -4°C (24°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. San Diego usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during winter. San Diego gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In January, San Diego usually receives less rain than Halifax. San Diego gets 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Diego or Halifax in the Spring?

Both Halifax and San Diego during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. In April, San Diego is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in San Diego average around 62°F (17°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. In the spring, San Diego often gets more sunshine than Halifax. San Diego gets 277 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. San Diego usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. San Diego gets 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Halifax and San Diego