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

Should you visit San Diego or Victoria?

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 Victoria. 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. 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. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See San Diego travel costs.

Victoria

Victoria is a relaxing, cultural, and scenic city. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping. See Victoria travel costs.

San Diego and Victoria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Diego or Victoria?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Diego than Victoria, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Diego is more touristy than Victoria 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 home to The San Diego Zoo. Victoria is popular for its colonial buildings and public parks.

How is San Diego different from Victoria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Victoria is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several popular museums like the Royal BC Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Also make sure you check out the Parliament Buildings.

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

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

San Diego has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Victoria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find tons of fresh seafood around town. Make sure you try to the Dungeness crab, wild caught salmon, and fish chowder.

Is San Diego or Victoria Better for Nightlife?

San Diego is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

Victoria has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town. Most offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold drink in a casual setting.

Is San Diego or Victoria Better for Music?

San Diego is a very popular place for its music scene. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not a live music destination.

Is San Diego or Victoria Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not a resort destination.

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

San Diego is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Diego or Victoria Better for Beaches?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for the beach. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not a beach destination.

Is San Diego or Victoria Better for Hiking?

San Diego is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

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.

Victoria is a good destination for hiking. There are many outdoor spaces and parks that offer local hiking trails. This is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the area.

Is the Shopping Better in San Diego or Victoria?

If you're looking to go shopping, San Diego and Victoria 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 Victoria to go shopping. There are plenty of larger shopping malls as well as local boutiques and farmer's markets.

Is San Diego or Victoria More Beautiful?

San Diego is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Victoria 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.

Victoria is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is San Diego or Victoria Better for Families?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Victoria is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get the energy out. Walking trails are popular. You can also do the Malahat SkyWalk which offers impressive views. Cadboro-Gyro Park has a playground, zip-line, and picnic areas. Another hightlight for kids is a visit to the Beacon Hill Children's Farm. If the weather isn't cooperating, you can visit the BC Aviation Museum.

Is San Diego or Victoria Better for Couples?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for couples. Also, Victoria is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Couples visit Victoria frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city offers many great activities for couples such as a visit to Hatley Park and Castle. The city is also famous for its many flower gardens which are best visited in spring. Kayaking, hiking, and exploring are also favorite activities for couples.

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

For backpackers, both San Diego and Victoria are good 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 Victoria. There are a few hostels around town that attract the backpacker and budget traveler crowd.

Is San Diego or Victoria Better for Students?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Victoria is not popular with 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.

Victoria is not popular with students.

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

San Diego and Victoria 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 Victoria. While there are buses, it's best not to count on them because they're not particularly reliable.

Is San Diego or Victoria a more walkable city?

Victoria 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.

Victoria is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are close by and easy to walk to.

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 Victoria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Victoria or San Diego?

How long in San Diego or Victoria?

It's fun to spend time in either San Diego or Victoria. 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 3-4 days is enough time in Victoria.

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

The coastal city of San Diego offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

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

San Diego 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Victoria. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in San Diego or Victoria?

San Diego is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in San Diego, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic city of Victoria. 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 Victoria?

San Diego is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

Victoria 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 Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between San Diego and Victoria, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Victoria Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Diego or Victoria?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Victoria. When comparing the sizes of San Diego and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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 Victoria in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Diego and Victoria. The summer months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

In the summer, San Diego is a little warmer than Victoria. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Diego in July average around 71°F (22°C), and Victoria averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In July, San Diego usually receives less rain than Victoria. San Diego gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Diego or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Diego as well as Victoria. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Diego this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Victoria for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, San Diego is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in San Diego average around 68°F (20°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

San Diego usually gets less rain in October than Victoria. San Diego gets 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Diego or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and San Diego are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Victoria in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Victoria can get quite cold in the winter. San Diego is much warmer than Victoria in the winter. The daily temperature in San Diego averages around 57°F (14°C) in January, and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. In January, San Diego usually receives less rain than Victoria. San Diego gets 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Diego or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and San Diego during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to San Diego in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, San Diego is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Diego in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Victoria averages at about 10°C (49°F).

San Diego usually gets less rain in April than Victoria. San Diego gets 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Victoria and San Diego