San Diego vs. Los Angeles: Which Should You Visit?
San Diego and Los Angeles have a lot in common. Warm and sunny weather, lots of beach space, cool cultural attractions, excellent food scenes…there’s a lot to love about both cities!
That said, there are distinct differences in the overall vibes, and a vacation in each city can look very different.
I grew up in San Diego, and am back multiple times a year to visit family and enjoy all that America’s Finest City has to offer. I now live in Los Angeles, and am approaching ten years in the city. Safe to say, I know plenty about the ins and outs of both SoCal destinations!
If you’re deciding between Los Angeles or San Diego for your next vacation, I’m here to help you learn about the vibes and what to expect in each city. Both are amazing in their own right, but I’ll go over the pros and cons so that you can make a vacation decision that works best for you!
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Hike Behind the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles | Torrey Pines Gliderport in San Diego
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Los Angeles: Things to Do & What to Expect
LA is a really great destination for anyone looking for an active city trip with plenty of sightseeing. It’s vibrant and culturally diverse, and there are truly so many things to do in Los Angeles…the city can keep you entertained for days.
As you likely already know, LA is a major entertainment hub. This makes it the perfect destination for anyone interested in all things film and TV.
If you want to dive into the entertainment world, you can tour a studio backlot, visit The Academy Museum (a personal favorite…I highly recommend adding it to your LA trip itinerary!), see the Hollywood Stars on the Walk of Fame, go to a live taping of a show, or spend a day at Universal Studios.
Even if you aren’t super interested in the entertainment culture, there are so many other cool attractions and activities to enjoy around the city.
For museums, head to The Getty museums, LACMA, and The Broad. I recommend visiting Griffith Observatory to take in the view of the city, and getting in a hike or two if you want to be active. Of course, a visit to LA isn’t complete without checking out The Hollywood Sign!
If you want to fit in some chill time, you can also hang out by the water in Santa Monica and Venice. For beach lovers, I especially recommend doing a day trip to Malibu. This is where you’ll find some of the prettiest beaches in LA!
Just keep in mind that the beaches get busy during the summer, as it’s one of the peak travel seasons in LA.
Santa Monica Pier | Walk of Fame | Hollywood Sign
Tips & Things to Keep in Mind Before You Book an LA Trip
Los Angeles is sprawling, and a lot bigger than many people realize. There’s not really one city center. It’s made up of lots of different cities and neighborhoods, each with their own vibe and unique attractions.
With that in mind, my top LA travel tip is to take the size of the city into consideration when putting together your itinerary. You need to get clear on what attractions and neighborhoods you want to explore, and dedicate each day in your itinerary to one to two areas of the city.
This will help you maximize your time in the city, and minimize your time in traffic (since LA is, unfortunately, famous for its traffic congestion!).
Your itinerary will also have a major influence on what LA neighborhood to stay in during your trip. Get an idea of what you want to do first, and then decide where your homebase should be.
Essential LA Travel Info
- Airport – you can fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR). LAX will have more flight options, but BUR is a less stressful airport to get in and out of.
- Getting Around – a car is pretty much a non-negotiable for an LA trip. You can get around with Ubers/Lyfts, but those costs can add up quickly, especially if you’re checking out attractions all around the city. Public transit does exist, but it’s not going to be the most efficient choice for getting around LA.
- Hotel Prices – you can find everything from budget-friendly hotels to luxury stays. Hotels that are closer to the coast tend to be pricier on average. You’ll find higher prices in more upscale neighborhoods, as well (such as in and around Beverly Hills).
San Diego: Things to Do & What to Expect
Compared to Los Angeles, San Diego has a more laid-back vibe. That’s not too surprising, given that San Diego is known for its beach culture!
If you’re craving a beach-centric vacation, San Diego really can’t be beat. From Coronado Beach near downtown to Strand Beach all the way up in Oceanside, there are amazing beaches up and down the county.
That’s not to say that San Diego doesn’t have other attractions. There’s still so much to add to a San Diego itinerary beyond hanging out at the beach!
You can go to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, explore Balboa Park (a cultural hub with museums and insanely beautiful architecture), see the USS Midway, walk along the Embarcadero, wander through Old Town, check out Cabrillo National Monument, and experience the nightlife and dining scene in the Gaslamp Quarter.
There are also lots of great outdoor activities to do in San Diego. I always love hiking at Torrey Pines State Reserve, and watching the sunset at Sunset Cliffs or the Torrey Pines Gliderport.
I also recommend spending a day in La Jolla, an upscale beach town. It has some of the prettiest beaches in the county, and it’s a great place to go kayaking or snorkeling.
For the beer lovers, it’s also worth highlighting that there’s an amazing craft brewery scene in San Diego!
If you’re looking to explore beyond the central hub of San Diego, there are plenty of things to do in North County San Diego, as well. This region is quieter, but there are really fun beach towns (I recommend spending a day in Encinitas…a personal favorite!) and excellent hikes. For families traveling with younger kids, there’s also Legoland in Carlsbad.
Cabrillo National Monument | Downtown San Diego | La Jolla
Tips & Things to Keep in Mind Before You Book a San Diego Trip
While San Diego is fairly big, it’s more contained than LA. This makes planning a trip and deciding where to stay in San Diego a bit easier.
For a first-time visit, many of the most popular attractions that aren’t in Downtown SD are located within a 15 to 30-minute drive (but this can be a bit longer with traffic!).
Coronado Island, the San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park are all on the perimeter of Downtown San Diego. You can get to La Jolla in about 20 to 35 minutes, so long as you avoid leaving around rush hour.
One other point worth making is to consider the busy travel season. For anyone planning a summer vacation, you should keep in mind that this time of year is peak travel season in San Diego. Beaches will be crowded, and hotel prices are at their highest.
Summer travelers should also keep Comic-Con in mind. This major annual event is hosted around mid/late July. Downtown gets incredibly busy, and accommodation prices are much higher.
Essential San Diego Travel Info
- Airport – you’ll fly into San Diego International Airport (SAN). It’s conveniently located right by Downtown San Diego.
- Getting Around – you can get by without a car if you’re willing to take Ubers/Lyfts, but I still recommend renting a car for your trip, particularly if you’ll be visiting for more than a couple days. While more condensed compared to LA, San Diego still isn’t super walkable, and you’ll need to drive to many attractions. While public transport generally isn’t amazing, taking the Amtrak from downtown to destinations in North County is a great option.
- Hotel Prices – much like LA, you can find hotels at all price points. On average, hotel prices may be a touch cheaper compared to LA, but it’s a nominal difference. Very generally speaking, hotels that are closer to the coast are going to be pricier, but there are exceptions!
Los Angeles vs. San Diego for Vacation: Which is Best for You?
Both LA and SD are excellent vacation destinations, and the best choice ultimately comes down to your interests and travel style.
If your top priority is spending a lot of time at the beach, I’d steer you towards booking a San Diego vacation. This is particularly true for those planning a trip in the late spring to early fall, which is prime time for hanging out at the beach.
San Diego beaches are (in my opinion) generally better than in LA, and there are a ton of great beach towns to explore. This includes Encinitas, Carlsbad, Del Mar, and Oceanside.
For the moments that you aren’t soaking up the sun by the water, you can still fill the gaps in your itinerary exploring other neighborhoods and attractions.
On the other hand, Los Angeles is a great choice for diving into cultural attractions and enjoying a trip of sightseeing (while still getting in some beach time, if you’d like!).
It’s also the place to go if you want to enjoy the “Hollywood” experience and learn more about the making of your favorite films and TV shows. That’s an experience you really can’t get anywhere else!
Here are a few final pros and cons to consider before making your final decision.
Los Angeles Pros
- Tons of things to do, with options for all interests
- Unique experiences and attractions related to film and TV
- Nice beaches
Los Angeles Cons
- Massive city, which means attractions are far from each other
- Traffic
- More difficult to plan an itinerary, due to traffic, city size, and there being so much to do
San Diego Pros
- Amazing beaches, and lots of cute beach towns to explore
- Top attractions are fairly close to each other (compared to LA!)
- Easy to navigate and plan an itinerary
San Diego Cons
- You’ll need a car to get around, or will have to pay for regular Ubers/Lyfts
- Traffic (not as bad as LA, but still something to note!)
If you’re thinking of visiting Los Angeles, explore these guides:
- Where to Stay in Los Angeles: Best Areas + Hotels
- Los Angeles Travel Tips: Local’s Guide for First-Timers
- The Ultimate 3 Day Los Angeles Itinerary (A Local’s Guide)
- How to Spend a Weekend in Santa Monica: 2-Day Itinerary
- The Perfect Day Trip to Santa Monica and Venice Beach: 1-Day Itinerary
- A Quintessential Malibu Day Trip Itinerary
- The Top Things to do in Los Angeles (for Tourists & First-Time Visitors!)
- Unique Things to do in Los Angeles
If you’ve decided on a San Diego trip, take a look at these guides:
