A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cleveland vs. San Francisco for Attractions, Food, Families, and Music

Should you visit Cleveland or San Francisco?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cleveland 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.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a authentic, under-rated, and diverse city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a scenic, beautiful, and outdoorsy coastal city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and beaches.

Cleveland and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cleveland or San Francisco?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Francisco than Cleveland. San Francisco is bigger than Cleveland, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Francisco is better known for its museums & sights, theatre productions, food, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Cleveland is more popular for its music. San Francisco is more touristy than Cleveland and is known 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. Cleveland is well known for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Cleveland different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit San Francisco from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Cleveland. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Is Cleveland or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a nice place to visit for theatre. However, Cleveland is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in San Francisco. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Cleveland is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, San Francisco is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Cleveland or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Cleveland and San Francisco.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cleveland. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

San Francisco has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Cleveland or San Francisco Better for Music?

Cleveland is a great city for its music scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for live music.

Cleveland has a thriving music scene. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

You'll find some good live music in San Francisco. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Is Cleveland or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Cleveland is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in San Francisco. 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.

Cleveland is not a beach destination.

Is Cleveland or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its hiking trails. However, Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, San Francisco draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cleveland or San Francisco?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for shopping. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in San Francisco. 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.

Cleveland offers some nice shopping areas. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Cleveland or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

San Francisco is an amazing family-friendly coastal city to visit. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Cleveland or San Francisco Better for Couples?

San Francisco is a very popular place for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

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

San Francisco is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for backpackers.

San Francisco is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Cleveland is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There's little in the area that attracts the backpacker crowd.

Is Cleveland or San Francisco Better for Students?

San Francisco is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Cleveland is not popular with students.

San Francisco is a great coastal city to visit as a student. 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.

Cleveland is not popular with students.

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

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit in San Francisco is top-notch. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

Public transit is generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Cleveland or San Francisco a more walkable city?

San Francisco is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

San Francisco is very walkable. 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.

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Cleveland?

How long in Cleveland or San Francisco?

Both Cleveland 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 Cleveland. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cleveland, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.

Families should spend more time in San Francisco than Cleveland. 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 Cleveland. 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland or San Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Cleveland. 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.

People visit San Francisco because there is so much to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Cleveland or San Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cleveland. 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.

People visit San Francisco because there is so much to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Cleveland or San Francisco?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the diverse destination of Cleveland. 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.

People visit San Francisco because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer.

A week in Cleveland or San Francisco?

You'll find live music and shopping around the city of Cleveland. 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 popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in San Francisco, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cleveland and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. And not only is Cleveland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cleveland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cleveland and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco than you might in Cleveland.

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

Which is Bigger, Cleveland or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Cleveland. When comparing the sizes of Cleveland 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 Cleveland or San Francisco?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cleveland or San Francisco in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cleveland and San Francisco. The summer months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, 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.

In July, Cleveland is generally a little warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Cleveland average around 75°F (24°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Cleveland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Cleveland usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Cleveland gets 4 inches (101 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cleveland or San Francisco in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cleveland as well as San Francisco. The shopping scene and the music scene are the main draw to Cleveland this time of year. Additionally, 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.

Cleveland is cooler than San Francisco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cleveland averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Cleveland usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. Cleveland gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cleveland or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco and Cleveland are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cleveland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Cleveland. In the winter, Cleveland is much colder than San Francisco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cleveland in January average around 28°F (-2°C), and San Francisco averages at about 50°F (10°C).

In January, Cleveland usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Cleveland gets 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cleveland or San Francisco in the Spring?

Both San Francisco and Cleveland during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Cleveland is generally cooler than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Cleveland average around 51°F (10°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Cleveland usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. Cleveland gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Cleveland