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

Should you visit San Diego or Vernon?

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 Vernon. 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 dynamic, energetic, and relaxed coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. San Diego offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food. See San Diego travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a relaxing, quiet, and peaceful town. Visitors also love the museums, food, and hiking. See Vernon travel costs.

San Diego and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Diego or Vernon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Diego. Although San Diego and Vernon are both popular with visitors, San Diego has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. San Diego is more touristy than Vernon and is popular for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. It is also home to The San Diego Zoo. Vernon is popular for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is San Diego different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

San Diego is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Vernon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

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

San Diego is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in San Diego is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is San Diego or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

San Diego is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

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 Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is San Diego or Vernon Better for Music?

San Diego is a well-known place for its music scene. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a live music destination.

Is San Diego or Vernon Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Vernon is not a resort destination.

San Diego has a few great resort options. 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.

Vernon is not a resort destination.

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

San Diego is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Diego or Vernon Better for Beaches?

San Diego is terrific for the beach. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a beach destination.

Is San Diego or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both San Diego and Vernon, and they are great.

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.

Vernon is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in San Diego or Vernon?

If you're looking to go shopping, San Diego and Vernon both offer plenty of good 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 Vernon to go shopping. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is San Diego or Vernon More Beautiful?

San Diego is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

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

Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is San Diego or Vernon Better for Families?

San Diego is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-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.

Vernon is a family-friendly coastal city. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is San Diego or Vernon Better for Couples?

San Diego is terrific for couples. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

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.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

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

San Diego is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Vernon is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit San Diego. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Vernon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel in town, but this isn't a popular destination for backpackers.

Is San Diego or Vernon Better for Students?

San Diego is terrific for students. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not popular with students.

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

San Diego and Vernon both offer decent 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 Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is San Diego or Vernon a more walkable city?

San Diego is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

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.

Vernon is generally not a very walkable coastal city. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or San Diego?

How long in San Diego or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Diego and Vernon. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than in Vernon. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for San Diego, and 1-3 days is enough time in Vernon.

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

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 town of Vernon. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Vernon has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in San Diego or Vernon?

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 quiet destination of Vernon. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in San Diego or Vernon?

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 relaxing town of Vernon. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in San Diego or Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the hip 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.

Vernon 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

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

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 Vernon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Diego or Vernon?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of San Diego and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

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 Vernon in the Summer?

Both Vernon and San Diego during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Vernon for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, San Diego is around the same temperature as Vernon. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Diego in July average around 71°F (22°C), and Vernon averages at about 23°C (73°F).

San Diego usually gets less rain in July than Vernon. San Diego gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Diego or Vernon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Diego and Vernon. 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Vernon because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, San Diego is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in San Diego average around 68°F (20°C), and Vernon fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, San Diego usually receives less rain than Vernon. San Diego gets 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Diego or Vernon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Diego as well as Vernon. The winter months attract visitors to San Diego because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Vernon this time of year.

It's quite cold in Vernon in the winter. San Diego is much warmer than Vernon in the winter. The daily temperature in San Diego averages around 57°F (14°C) in January, and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

San Diego usually gets more rain in January than Vernon. San Diego gets 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Diego or Vernon in the Spring?

Both Vernon and San Diego are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

In the spring, San Diego is a little warmer than Vernon. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Diego in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Vernon averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In April, San Diego usually receives more rain than Vernon. San Diego gets 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vernon and San Diego