A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Diego vs. Whistler for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit San Diego or Whistler?

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 Whistler. 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. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See San Diego travel costs.

Whistler

Whistler is a outdoorsy, charming, and adventurous village. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of Whistler is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Whistler travel costs.

San Diego and Whistler: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Diego or Whistler?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Diego. Although San Diego and Whistler are popular destinations, San Diego has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Diego is very popular for its museums and attractions, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Whistler attracts visitors for its skiing, resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. San Diego is famous 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. Whistler is famous for its world renowned skiing and snowboarding.

How is San Diego different from Whistler?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is San Diego or Whistler Better for Skiing?

Whistler is renowned for skiing. However, San Diego is not a skiing destination.

Whistler is a top destination for snow skiing, and it attracts visitors from around the world. Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America. It covers a vast area that includes two peaks - Whistler and Blackcomb. The slopes are connected by lifts and gondolas and there are options for every level, from beginner to expert.

San Diego is not a skiing destination.

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

San Diego is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Whistler is not a good village 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.

While most people don't head to Whistler specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There is a local museum where you can learn about the areas culture and heritage.

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

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

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 Whistler is an experience not to be missed. There are many great restaurants and pubs that serve local dishes like Whistler herring, meatloaf, and Artic char fish. There are casual eateries as well as fine dining with upscale cuisine.

Is San Diego or Whistler Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both San Diego and Whistler.

Many people head to San Diego for the nightlife scene. 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.

Whistler has plenty to do after the sun goes down. After a day on the slopes, you can enjoy the lively nightlife that includes après ski bars, nightclubs, and late night parties.

Is San Diego or Whistler Better for Music?

San Diego is a well-known place for live music. However, Whistler 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.

Whistler is not a live music destination.

Is San Diego or Whistler Better for Resorts?

Whistler is great for its luxury resorts. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Whistler to choose from. There's a large selection of resorts that you can choose from. Many have pools and hot tubs and range from romantic to family-friendly.

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.

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

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

Whistler is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Diego or Whistler Better for Beaches?

San Diego is renowned for its beaches. However, Whistler 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.

Whistler is not a beach destination.

Is San Diego or Whistler Better for Hiking?

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

Whistler is well-known for its hiking and trekking. During the warmer seasons there are miles of hiking trails that take you through both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Many trails are accessible by gondola and you'll find great views and stunning vistas. Trails range from short family-friendly options to strenuous and adventurous routes.

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 Whistler?

If you're looking to go shopping, San Diego and Whistler 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 Whistler to go shopping. The village offers great shopping where you can pick up local items or any ski gear you may have forgotten.

Is San Diego or Whistler More Beautiful?

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

The beauty of Whistler is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The town sits in a valley that is surrounded by stunning mountains and impressive glaciers.

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

Is San Diego or Whistler Better for Families?

Both San Diego and Whistler are world-class family-friendly destinations.

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.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Whistler is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will love the winter activities like skiing, dog sledding, and bobsledding. There's also an ice skating rink, climbing gym, and tons of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is San Diego or Whistler Better for Couples?

San Diego is renowned for romance. Also, Whistler is not as famous, but is still a good village to visit 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.

Whistler makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy an adventure will love the year-round outdoor sports. There are also romantic spas, fine dining, and scenic gondola rides.

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

Whistler 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 Whistler. There are several hostels in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

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 Whistler Better for Students?

San Diego is renowned for students. However, Whistler 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.

Whistler is not popular with students.

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

San Diego and Whistler 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 Whistler. There's a bus system that connects the town to other nearby neighborhoods.

Is San Diego or Whistler a more walkable city?

Whistler 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.

Whistler is a very walkable village. It's a compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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 Whistler Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Whistler or San Diego?

How long in San Diego or Whistler?

In either San Diego or Whistler, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. You can fill a similar amount of time in either place. However, 3-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in San Diego than Whistler. 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 Whistler 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 Whistler.

One day in San Diego or Whistler?

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 food and shopping around the village of Whistler. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Whistler?

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 shopping and skiing around the outdoorsy destination of Whistler. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This village offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in San Diego or Whistler?

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.

You'll find skiing and nightlife around the adventurous village of Whistler. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this village makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this village has to offer.

A week in San Diego or Whistler?

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.

Whistler is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

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

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 Whistler Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Diego or Whistler?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of San Diego and Whistler, 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 Whistler?

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 Whistler in the Summer?

Both Whistler 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 Whistler for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In Whistler, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Diego. In the summer, San Diego often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whistler. San Diego gets 306 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.

San Diego usually gets less rain in July than Whistler. San Diego gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Diego or Whistler in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Diego and Whistler. 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 Whistler because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

San Diego is much warmer than Whistler in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Diego averages around 68°F (20°C) in October, and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Diego usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. San Diego gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, San Diego usually receives less rain than Whistler. San Diego gets 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Diego or Whistler in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Whistler in the winter. In the winter, San Diego is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Diego in January average around 57°F (14°C), and Whistler averages at about 4°C (40°F).

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 Whistler. San Diego gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Whistler. San Diego usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. San Diego gets 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Diego or Whistler in the Spring?

Both Whistler 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. Also, many travelers come to Whistler for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, San Diego is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in San Diego average around 62°F (17°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. San Diego usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. San Diego gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In April, San Diego usually receives less rain than Whistler. San Diego gets 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Whistler and San Diego