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

Should you visit San Diego or Juneau?

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 Juneau. 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 relaxed, outdoorsy, and idyllic coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. San Diego is a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food. See San Diego travel costs.

Juneau

Juneau is a breathtaking, historic, and scenic city. Many visitors also come to Juneau because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, food, and hiking. See Juneau travel costs.

San Diego and Juneau: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Diego or Juneau?

Visitors will usually find more to do in San Diego than Juneau, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. San Diego is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Juneau is more popular for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. San Diego is more touristy than Juneau and is popular for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. Also, San Diego is famous for The San Diego Zoo. Juneau is well known for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880.

How is San Diego different from Juneau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Juneau offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many museums focus on the history in the area, including the Gold Rush and the mining industry. You can visit several historic mines as well as the Last Chance Mining Museum. Other museums around town include the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Walter Soboleff Building, and the Alaska State Museum.

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

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

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 Juneau is an experience not to be missed. The seafood is superb and visitors will regret if they miss out on the salmon, halibut, and crab. There are many local restaurants and local chefs serving up the freshest caught fish. For the best seafood, head to the waterfront, and if you're looking for something other than seafood, the downtown is where you'll want to be.

Is San Diego or Juneau Better for Nightlife?

San Diego is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Juneau is not a good city for its evening party scene.

San Diego offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Juneau. There are a couple of bars and breweries, but most people relax in the evening.

Is San Diego or Juneau Better for Music?

San Diego is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Juneau is not a live music destination.

The music scene in San Diego is very popular with diverse venues. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Juneau is not a live music destination.

Is San Diego or Juneau Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a popular place for its resorts. However, Juneau is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, San Diego makes a nice vacation spot. 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.

Juneau is not a resort destination.

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

San Diego is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Juneau is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

San Diego has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Juneau is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Diego or Juneau Better for Beaches?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for the beach. However, Juneau is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in San Diego. 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.

Juneau is not a beach destination.

Is San Diego or Juneau Better for Hiking?

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

Juneau is well-known for its hiking and trekking. You'll find more than 250 miles of hiking trails in the area, and this really is the best way to experience Alaska. The area is known for its wildlife, but there are also glacier hikes, meadows, mountains, and more. In downtown Juneau there's the Perseverance Trail, the Granite Creek Trail, and the Mount Roberts Trail. From the Mendenhall Visitor Center there's the East Glacier Loop Trail, the West Glacier Trail, and the Nugget Falls Trail. There are also trails on Douglas Island and many options just outside of town.

San Diego is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in San Diego or Juneau?

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

Juneau is well-known for its shopping. There's a mix of contemporary art and traditional artisan crafts. You'll find gift shops and art galleries around, particularly downtown and in the Mendenhall Valley business district. Visitors often enjoy buying art, wood carvings, jewelry, pottery, quilts, or dolls.

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 Juneau More Beautiful?

Juneau is renowned for its scenery and beauty. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Juneau because of it's amazing beauty. The landscape is filled with glaciers, mountains, and fjords, making it a dramatic and beautiful destination.

San Diego offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Many people enjoy city's beautiful coastline and surrounding natural beauty.

Is San Diego or Juneau Better for Families?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Juneau is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, San Diego is a very family-friendly destination. 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 family-friendly things to do in Juneau. Its is filled with adventure that the whole family will enjoy. There's whale watching, dog sled tours, helicopter rides, hiking, and the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway. This bucket-list destination will have an impact on kids and adults alike.

Is San Diego or Juneau Better for Couples?

San Diego and Juneau both amazing destinations for a couple.

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.

Juneau makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who enjoy exploring and adventuring will be in awe of this destination. Glacier trekking, superb gardens, and romantic helicopter rides will leave you feeling like a contestant on "The Bachelor". There are also opportunities for romantic evenings out and cozy hotels where you can stay in.

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

Juneau is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Juneau. It's a popular destination with budget hotels and even a hostel or two.

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

Is San Diego or Juneau Better for Students?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for students. However, Juneau is not popular with students.

Many students frequent San Diego. 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.

Juneau is not popular with students.

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

San Diego and Juneau both offer respectable 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 Juneau. You can only reach Juneau by boat or plane and there are three bus routes through town.

Is San Diego or Juneau a more walkable city?

Juneau is great for its high level of walkability. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its ease of walking around.

Juneau is a very walkable city. The downtown is very walkable and many places can be reached within a reasonable walk.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Juneau or San Diego?

How long in San Diego or Juneau?

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

Families should spend more time in San Diego than Juneau. 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 Juneau. 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 Juneau than San Diego 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 Juneau.

One day in San Diego or Juneau?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of San Diego. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Juneau. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Juneau?

San Diego is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and food around the historic destination of Juneau. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Juneau?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Diego. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the breathtaking city of Juneau. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in San Diego or Juneau?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic destination of San Diego. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Juneau is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Juneau, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Juneau much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Juneau would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Juneau 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 Juneau.

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 Juneau Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Diego or Juneau?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Juneau. When comparing the sizes of San Diego and Juneau, 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 Juneau?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit San Diego or Juneau in the Summer?

Both Juneau and San Diego during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Diego this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Juneau for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

San Diego is much warmer than Juneau in the summer. The daily temperature in San Diego averages around 71°F (22°C) in July, and Juneau fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. In the summer, San Diego often gets more sunshine than Juneau. San Diego gets 306 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Juneau receives 179 hours of full sun.

Juneau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. San Diego usually gets less rain in July than Juneau. San Diego gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Diego or Juneau in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Diego and Juneau. Many travelers 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Juneau in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, San Diego is much warmer than Juneau. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Diego in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Juneau averages at about 42°F (6°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Diego usually receives more sunshine than Juneau during autumn. San Diego gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Juneau receives 69 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Juneau receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, San Diego usually receives less rain than Juneau. San Diego gets 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Diego or Juneau in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Diego as well as Juneau. Many visitors come to San Diego in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Juneau for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Juneau can be very cold during winter. In January, San Diego is generally much warmer than Juneau. Daily temperatures in San Diego average around 57°F (14°C), and Juneau fluctuates around 24°F (-4°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In the winter, San Diego often gets more sunshine than Juneau. San Diego gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Juneau receives 87 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Juneau. San Diego usually gets less rain in January than Juneau. San Diego gets 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Diego or Juneau in the Spring?

Both Juneau and San Diego are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Juneau because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Juneau can be very cold. San Diego is much warmer than Juneau in the spring. The daily temperature in San Diego averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Juneau fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. San Diego usually receives more sunshine than Juneau during spring. San Diego gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while Juneau receives 185 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Diego usually receives less rain than Juneau. San Diego gets 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Juneau and San Diego