Comparison · Las Vegas vs San Diego · United States
Las Vegas vs San Diego
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Choose Las Vegas for The Strip and Casinos; choose San Diego for San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and beaches. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 426 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 426 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Las Vegas
- March–May and October–November
- Best time for San Diego
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Las Vegas | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | The Strip, Casinos and Shows and residencies | San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and Beaches and surfing |
| Best time to visit | March–May and October–November | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $200–$400 | $230–$400 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 40°C (104°F) | August, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 14°C (57°F) | January, 19°C (66°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | Coronado Beach |
| Airports | LAS | SAN |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Las Vegas for…
The Strip and Casinos. Las Vegas packs giant themed resorts, casinos, shows and restaurants along the 6.8 km Las Vegas Strip, with the older Downtown and Fremont Street a short bus ride north. Beyond the gaming floors, visitors come for Cirque du Soleil and concert residencies…
.jpg){kind=link}
Choose San Diego for…
San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and beaches. San Diego sits in the far southwest corner of California, about 25 km from the Mexican border, with 100-plus km of coastline running from Coronado and Point Loma up to La Jolla and Torrey Pines. Most visitors split their time between downtown (the Gaslamp…
Top sights compared
| # | Las Vegas | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Las Vegas Strip | Balboa Park |
| 2 | Fountains of Bellagio | San Diego Zoo |
| 3 | Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens | USS Midway Museum |
| 4 | Sphere | La Jolla Cove |
| 5 | Fremont Street Experience | Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve |
Food compared
| Las Vegas | San Diego |
|---|---|
| Resort buffet | California burrito |
| Shrimp cocktail | Baja fish tacos |
| Steakhouse dinner | Carne asada fries |
| Chinatown pho, hot pot and dim sum | Rolled tacos |
Which is cheaper?
Las Vegas and San Diego cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $200–$400 in Las Vegas and $230–$400 in San Diego (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Las Vegas on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Las Vegas and San Diego are about 426 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Las Vegas and 5 in San Diego.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Las Vegas or San Diego cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $200–$400 in Las Vegas and $230–$400 in San Diego (estimates).
+Is Las Vegas or San Diego better for a first trip?
Pick Las Vegas for The Strip and Casinos, or San Diego for San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and beaches.
+How far is Las Vegas from San Diego?
About 426 km in a straight line.