A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sarasota vs. Pasadena for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sarasota or Pasadena?

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 Sarasota and Pasadena. 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.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a entertaining, underrated, and relaxing city. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Sarasota travel costs.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a picturesque, quaint, and charming city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Pasadena travel costs.

Sarasota and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Pasadena?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Sarasota than Pasadena. While Pasadena is larger than Sarasota, Sarasota has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sarasota is more popular for its resorts and beaches, while Pasadena is known for its food, nightlife, and shopping. Sarasota is more touristy than Pasadena and is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. It is also home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Pasadena is popular for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Sarasota different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sarasota or Pasadena?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sarasota and Pasadena.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sarasota. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

Pasadena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Is the Food Better in Sarasota or Pasadena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pasadena is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Pasadena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sarasota area. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

Is Sarasota or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Pasadena for the nightlife scene. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

Is Sarasota or Pasadena Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a good destination for its resorts. However, Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Sarasota has a few great resort options. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Pasadena Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a good destination for the beach. However, Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Sarasota offers a nice beach destination. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Pasadena?

Pasadena is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Pasadena is well-known for its shopping. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Many visitors go to Sarasota to go shopping. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

Is Sarasota or Pasadena Better for Families?

Sarasota is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Sarasota is very family-friendly. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

Pasadena is a family-friendly city. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Sarasota or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Sarasota and Pasadena both good destinations for a couple.

Sarasota makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

Pasadena is a good city for couples to visit. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Is Sarasota or Pasadena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

While Pasadena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Public transit is generally limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

Is Sarasota or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Pasadena is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Pasadena is a somewhat walkable place. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

Sarasota is generally not very walkable. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Sarasota Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sarasota and Pasadena. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sarasota than in Pasadena. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.

Families should spend more time in Sarasota than Pasadena. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sarasota, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Pasadena than Sarasota. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Pasadena that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pasadena than Sarasota 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 Pasadena.

One day in Sarasota or Pasadena?

The city of Sarasota offers food and shopping. 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.

The city of Pasadena offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Sarasota or Pasadena?

Sarasota is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sarasota, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Pasadena is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pasadena, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Pasadena?

Sarasota is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sarasota, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Pasadena is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Sarasota or Pasadena?

Sarasota is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Pasadena is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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 Sarasota and Pasadena, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Sarasota would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sarasota than you might in Pasadena.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sarasota Expensive? and Is Pasadena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Pasadena, 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 Sarasota or Pasadena?

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 Sarasota or Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and Sarasota during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

In the summer, Sarasota is a little warmer than Pasadena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarasota in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Pasadena averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Pasadena. The shopping scene are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the shopping scene.

In October, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 76°F (24°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In October, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Should I visit Sarasota or Pasadena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Pasadena. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Pasadena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sarasota is a little warmer than Pasadena in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Sarasota usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Pasadena. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Sarasota is a little warmer than Pasadena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarasota in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Pasadena averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In April, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Sarasota