A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bern vs. San Francisco for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bern or San Francisco?

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

Should I visit Bern or San Francisco? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bern

Bern is a cultural, historic, and charming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a quirky, eccentric, and one-of-a-kind coastal city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Bern and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or San Francisco?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Francisco than Bern. San Francisco is bigger than Bern, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Francisco is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, music, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bern is more popular for its historical sights. San Francisco is more touristy than Bern and is popular for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. Also, San Francisco is famous for The Golden Gate Bridge. Bern is well known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory.

How is Bern different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Francisco and Bern. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bern or San Francisco?

San Francisco is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in San Francisco that are not to be missed. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.

Many visitors head to Bern specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with architecture and charming character. While you're in town make sure you visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Bern Cathedral.

Is Bern or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a popular place for theatre. However, Bern is not a theatre destination.

San Francisco offers a number of shows and performances. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Bern is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Bern or San Francisco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Francisco is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, San Francisco is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown. Head away from the touristy neighborhoods if you want to sample some of the more local restaurants around town.

Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Bern or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

Both Bern and San Francisco are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in San Francisco. It has a great nightlife with many local bars and trendy clubs. For the best nightlife away from the tourists, head to Valencia Street or Polk Street. If you want to be in a more touristy area, check out Union Square. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.

Is Bern or San Francisco Better for Music?

San Francisco is a popular place for live music. However, Bern is not a live music destination.

The music scene in San Francisco is active and vibrant. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Bern or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

San Francisco is considered a top beach destination. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away. Some of the best beaches include Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Muir Beach.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Bern or San Francisco Better for its Old Town?

Bern is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bern to see the historical old town. The charming old town is filled with quaint alleys and sandstone buildings. It's a compact area that flows down a hill to the River Aare.

San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Is Bern or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Bern is not a hiking destination.

People visit San Francisco specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city's hikes take in the dramatic views of the bay and city. Just outside of town there are also countless hikes through the Redwoods and along the coastline. Popular hikes in the area include Lands End, Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods.

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or San Francisco?

San Francisco is renowned for shopping. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

San Francisco is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.

Bern is well-known for its shopping. The old town is filled with boutique shops and unique markets. The main shopping streets are Spitalgasse and Marktgasse and popular items to buy include jewelry, art, and watches.

Is Bern or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, San Francisco is a very family-friendly destination. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination. There are also many amazing playgrounds with stunning views of the bay and city. Head to Chinatown for some unique and kid-friendly food, or down to Pier 39 for fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Bern is very family-friendly. This charming town has riverside parks and pools, a zoo, a waterpark, and kid-friendly museums that the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit nearby Gurten, a mountain with tobogganing, concerts, and a mini ski resort.

Is Bern or San Francisco Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bern and San Francisco make for a very good place to visit.

Bern is a very popular place to visit for couples. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

San Francisco makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are also many scenic walks and breathtaking views that couples can appreciate.

Is Bern or San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and San Francisco are very good destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bern. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Many backpackers visit San Francisco. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.

Is Bern or San Francisco Better for Students?

San Francisco is a well-known place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

San Francisco is a very popular coastal city for students and younger travelers. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.

Bern is not popular with students.

Is Bern or San Francisco Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

San Francisco is renowned for its public transit. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

San Francisco has a great public transit system. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

The public transit in Bern can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

Is Bern or San Francisco a more walkable city?

Bern and San Francisco both are very good when exploring on foot.

Bern is very walkable. It's fun to explore the old town on foot. It is compact enough to that you can see all of the highlights in a few hours.

San Francisco is a very walkable city. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.

For even more information, also check out Is Bern Worth Visiting? and Is San Francisco Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Bern?

How long in Bern or San Francisco?

Both Bern and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than in Bern. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bern, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.

Families should spend more time in San Francisco than Bern. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Francisco, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in San Francisco than Bern. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Francisco that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Francisco than Bern if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Francisco.

One day in Bern or San Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Bern. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

San Francisco is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bern or San Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

San Francisco is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bern or San Francisco?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming destination of Bern. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

San Francisco is a outdoorsy big city where you can fill many days. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bern or San Francisco?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Bern. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

San Francisco is a eccentric coastal city where you can fill many days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Bern and San Francisco, we can see that Bern 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. Even though Bern is in Europe and San Francisco is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bern Expensive? and Is San Francisco Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bern or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and San Francisco, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bern 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 Bern or San Francisco in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bern as well as San Francisco. Many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to San Francisco in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bern is generally a little warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Bern usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or San Francisco in the Autumn?

Both San Francisco and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors 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 during these months.

Bern is cooler than San Francisco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Bern usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bern or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco and Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Bern can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bern is much colder than San Francisco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and San Francisco averages at about 50°F (10°C).

Bern usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or San Francisco in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and San Francisco. The spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.

In April, Bern is generally cooler than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Bern usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Bern