A Travel Price Comparison for California Berkeley vs. San Francisco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Berkeley or San Francisco?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berkeley or San Francisco, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Berkeley or San Francisco?

Berkeley

Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").

San Francisco

San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.

Which city is cheaper, San Francisco or Berkeley?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Berkeley is $152, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $175. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Berkeley and San Francisco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Berkeley $105
    San Francisco $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Berkeley $210
    San Francisco $212
Compare Hotels in Berkeley and San Francisco

Looking for a hotel in Berkeley or San Francisco? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Berkeley


Hotels in San Francisco


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Berkeley Hotel Prices and San Francisco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Berkeley $24
    San Francisco $13

Typical Local Transportation prices in San Francisco

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:


  • Taxi to SFO
    $45
  • Golden Gate Bridge Toll
    $6.00
  • Alcatraz Tour
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco

Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from San Francisco Airport SFO: $40
  • Private Departure Transfer to San Francisco Airport SFO: $40
  • Private Airport Transfer: from San Francisco to San Francisco Int. Airport (SFO): $43
  • Private Departure Transfer from San Francisco to SFO San Francisco Airport: $57
  • Cruise Terminal to San Francisco Airport (SFO) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
  • San Francisco Airport (SFO) to Cruise Terminal - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
  • San Francisco Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer: $65
  • San Francisco Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Executive Sedan: $65
  • Private transfer from San Francisco to SFO Airport for up to 4 passengers: $73
  • Private SFO Departure Transfer from San Francisco: $74
  • San Francisco Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Executive SUV: $75
  • Private transfer from San Francisco Airport (SFO) to San Francisco City for up to 4 passengers: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Berkeley or San Francisco?

Prices for flights to both San Francisco and Berkeley change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Berkeley $29
    San Francisco $32
Typical Food prices in Berkeley

Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:


  • Chocolates at Sweet Dreams
    $4.46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.

  • Learn to Make New Orleans-Style Gumbo in a Private Berkeley Cooking Class: $66
  • Best of North Berkeley Food Tour: $110

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco

For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • San Francisco Virtual Food Tour with Local Guide: $15
  • Traveling Spoon Pad Thai and Papaya Salad Private Online Cooking Class: $25
  • Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Cooking with Ale: let's make Tiramisu - private groups: $80
  • San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: $80
  • American Cooking Class in San Francisco with a Local near Golden Gate Park: $82
  • San Francisco Chinatown Food Tour: $89
  • Russian Hill Gourmet Food Tour: $97
  • I Can't Believe I Ate My Way Through Chinatown - Food Tour: $98
  • Mamaz Social Food Arepa Class and Dinner: $100
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours San Francisco: $103
  • Hayes Valley Gourmet Food Tour: $108

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Berkeley $24
    San Francisco $37

Tours and Activities in San Francisco

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.

  • San Francisco Private Tour: 19th Century Gold Rush Exploration Game: $4.96
  • Syn City SF: The Synesthesia Walking Audio Tour of Haight-Ashbury by VoiceMap: $5.34
  • San Francisco's Barbary Past Walking Audio Tour: $5.34
  • Food, History, and Resistance: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Francisco's Japantown: $5.34
  • Union Square to Lotta's Fountain Walking Tour by VoiceMap: $5.40
  • Walk the Haight Audio Tour: Tune into San Francisco’s Hippie Counterculture: $5.99
  • San Francisco Private Tour: 70s Hippie Culture Exploration Game: $6.21
  • The Remarkable History of San Francisco's Glen Park and Glen Canyon Audio Tour: $7.55
  • Ultimate San Francisco Self-Driving Audio Tour: $8.00
  • Bike Tour of Tucson: $10
  • The Flyer San Francisco Admission Ticket: $12
  • San Francisco Scavenger Hunt: SF Park Tour and Haight-Ashbury Experience: $12

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Berkeley $10
    San Francisco $15

Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:

  • San Francisco Bar Hunt: Soul of San Francisco Bar Crawl: $12
  • San Francisco North Beach Pub Crawl: $60
  • Wine Tasting on the Bay: $70
  • Half-Day Sonoma Wine Tour: $100
  • Shore Excursion: Napa and Sonoma Ultimate Wine Tasting Experience Full-Day Tour: $135
  • San Francisco City & Wine tour: $140
  • Chariot wine tour: $145
  • From Full-Day Sonoma Valley Wine Tour: $149
  • Viticulture with Charm: Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco: $149
  • Small Group Redwoods and Wine Country Trip Including Wine Tasting and Cave Tour: $152
  • Small Group Muir Woods with Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $169
  • The Perfect Blend: Napa and Sonoma Combo Wine Tour from San Francisco: $169

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Berkeley and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.


When is the best time to visit Berkeley or San Francisco?

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 Berkeley or San Francisco in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Berkeley as well as San Francisco. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.


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Berkeley is around the same temperature as San Francisco in the summer. The temperature in Berkeley is usually 63°F (17°C) in July, and San Francisco stays around 63°F (17°C).

Berkeley usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as San Francisco. Berkeley gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Berkeley 63°F (17°C) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Berkeley or San Francisco in the Autumn?

Both San Francisco and Berkeley are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.


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In the autumn, Berkeley is around the same temperature as San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Berkeley in October are around 63°F (17°C), and San Francisco is about 63°F (17°C).

In October, Berkeley usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Francisco. Berkeley gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Berkeley 63°F (17°C) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Berkeley or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco and Berkeley during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Francisco in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.


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In January, Berkeley is generally around the same temperature as San Francisco. Temperatures in Berkeley average around 50°F (10°C), and San Francisco stays around 50°F (10°C).

Berkeley usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as San Francisco. Berkeley gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Berkeley 50°F (10°C) 
    San Francisco 50°F (10°C)

Should I visit Berkeley or San Francisco in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkeley and San Francisco. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.


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Berkeley is around the same temperature as San Francisco in the spring. The temperature in Berkeley is usually 58°F (14°C) in April, and San Francisco stays around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Berkeley usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Francisco. Berkeley gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Berkeley 58°F (14°C) 
    San Francisco 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Berkeley

Berkeley San Francisco
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 50°F (10°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Feb 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 58°F (14°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm) 58°F (14°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
May 60°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm) 60°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 62°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 63°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 63°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Aug 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Sep 66°F (19°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 66°F (19°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Nov 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)


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Berkeley vs. San Francisco Travel Comparison

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