This California City Was Just Named No.1 for Luxury Experiences on a Budget

Want to indulge in a little luxury for less? You need to plan a visit to Sonoma, California.

Who says the finer things in life have to be expensive?

In August, coupon code website Wethrift unveiled its list of the top cities in the U.S. for luxury on a budget — and it concluded that Sonoma, California, was the best destination to have a 5-star experience on the cheap.

To come to its conclusion, the team analyzed both food and accommodation offerings in cities around the nation. That included looking at the pricing for 956 Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants from the Michelin guide and 348 luxury 3- to 5-star rated hotels, using data from Booking.com and TripAdvisor. (The team noted that the restaurant and hotel prices were standardized by "applying min-max normalization taken from their respective prices to ensure they had an equal bearing on the overall score.")

"Sonoma is the cheapest city for a 5-star experience, with an average restaurant price of just $43.75 and an average hotel price of $518.00," the team explained in their findings. "In Sonoma, you can enjoy restaurants such as Valley, then stay a night over at the Cottage Inn & Spa."

Though really, that's just the beginning of where you can eat, stay, and play in the wider Sonoma County area. There's also the gorgeous Montage Healdsburg, The Sea Ranch Lodge, and The Madrona, along with restaurants like Dry Creek Kitchen and Barndiva that offer a taste of something local. (See more of what to do while you're in the region by reading Travel + Leisure's guide to Sonoma here.)

Related: This Interactive App Will Help You Plan the Perfect Trip to Sonoma

Coming in a close second for "luxury for less" destinations is Chicago, where the team found that travelers can get a "5-star experience with an average restaurant price of $52.88 and a hotel price of $411.25, making it a top choice."

Joining these destinations at the top of the list is San Diego, which averaged $49.19 for dining and $579 per night for hotels, and Santa Barbara in fourth, where the average dining experience in this city is $54.46, and the average rate on a hotel per night is $552. Rounding out the top five is Los Angeles, which offers high-end dining experiences at $55.45 and hotels at $559.75 per night.

"Experiencing luxury doesn't have to come at a hefty price tag. Our study shows that you can indulge and let loose with these top-tier experiences without breaking the bank, proving that opulence and affordability can go hand in hand," Nick Drewe, the founder of Wethrift, said in a release obtained by Travel + Leisure. "Whether it be savoring gourmet meals or staying in elegant hotels, we believe everyone deserves a taste of luxury." 

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