Comparison · Palm Springs vs San Diego · United States
Palm Springs 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: Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Palm Springs for mid-century modern architecture and aerial tramway; choose San Diego for San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, beaches and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 137 km (85 mi) apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 137 km (85 mi)
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Palm Springs
- February–April and November
- Best time for San Diego
- April–May and September–October
Plan either trip
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Side by side
| Palm Springs | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Mid-century modern architecture, Aerial tramway and Desert palm canyons | San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and Beaches and surfing |
| Best time to visit | February–April and November | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | US$250–400 | US$230–400 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 42°C (108°F) | August, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | December, 20°C (68°F) | January, 19°C (66°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | Coronado Beach |
| Airports | PSP, ONT | SAN |
Month by month
Going by our guides' own ratings, the better pick is Palm Springs in November–March, and San Diego in May–October. Both are at their best in April.
| Month | Palm Springs | San Diego | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°C (70°F), 4 rainy days · shoulder season | 19°C (66°F), 7 rainy days | Palm Springs |
| February | 23°C (73°F), 4 rainy days · best time | 19°C (66°F), 7 rainy days | Palm Springs |
| March | 27°C (81°F), 2 rainy days · best time | 19°C (66°F), 7 rainy days · shoulder season | Palm Springs |
| April | 31°C (88°F), 1 rainy day · best time | 21°C (70°F), 4 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| May | 36°C (97°F), 0 rainy days · shoulder season | 21°C (70°F), 2 rainy days · best time | San Diego |
| June | 41°C (106°F), 0 rainy days | 22°C (72°F), 1 rainy day · shoulder season | San Diego |
| July | 42°C (108°F), 1 rainy day · best avoided | 24°C (75°F), 0 rainy days | San Diego |
| August | 42°C (108°F), 1 rainy day · best avoided | 25°C (77°F), 0 rainy days | San Diego |
| September | 39°C (102°F), 1 rainy day | 25°C (77°F), 1 rainy day · best time | San Diego |
| October | 33°C (91°F), 1 rainy day · shoulder season | 23°C (73°F), 2 rainy days · best time | San Diego |
| November | 25°C (77°F), 1 rainy day · best time | 21°C (70°F), 4 rainy days · shoulder season | Palm Springs |
| December | 20°C (68°F), 3 rainy days · shoulder season | 19°C (66°F), 6 rainy days | Palm Springs |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Palm Springs for…
Mid-century modern architecture and aerial tramway. Palm Springs sits on the floor of the Coachella Valley at the foot of the 3,302-metre San Jacinto Mountains, about 175 km east of Los Angeles. Its walkable downtown along Palm Canyon Drive is lined with mid-century modern banks, motels and shops, and the…
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Choose San Diego for…
San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, beaches and free sights. 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
| # | Palm Springs | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palm Springs Aerial Tramway | Balboa Park |
| 2 | Mount San Jacinto State Park | San Diego Zoo |
| 3 | Indian Canyons | USS Midway Museum |
| 4 | Tahquitz Canyon | La Jolla Cove |
| 5 | Agua Caliente Cultural Museum | Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve |
Food compared
| Palm Springs | San Diego |
|---|---|
| Date shake | California burrito |
| Medjool and Deglet Noor dates | Baja fish tacos |
| Tacos and Mexican plates | Carne asada fries |
| Tamales | Rolled tacos |
Which is cheaper?
Palm Springs and San Diego cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly US$250–400 in Palm Springs and US$230–400 in San Diego (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). San Diego on a budget.
Palm Springs or San Diego from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones and airport coordinates: straight-line distances, not flight routes.
| Palm Springs | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Time vs New York | −3 h | −3 h |
| Time vs Los Angeles | Same time | Same time |
| From New York (JFK) | 2,380 mi (3,820 km) | 2,440 mi (3,930 km) |
| From Los Angeles (LAX) | 107 mi (172 km) | 111 mi (179 km) |
| U.S. plugs | U.S. plugs fit | U.S. plugs fit |
Palm Springs and San Diego are about the same distance from New York.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Palm Springs and San Diego are about 137 km (85 mi) apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Palm Springs and 5 in San Diego.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Palm Springs or San Diego cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about US$250–400 in Palm Springs and US$230–400 in San Diego (estimates).
+Is Palm Springs or San Diego better for a first trip?
Pick Palm Springs for mid-century modern architecture and aerial tramway, or San Diego for San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, beaches and free sights.
+How far is Palm Springs from San Diego?
About 137 km (85 mi) in a straight line.