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

Should you visit Genoa or San Francisco?

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

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

Genoa

Genoa is a energetic, historic, and vibrant port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a outdoorsy, quirky, and eccentric coastal city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Genoa and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Genoa or San Francisco?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Francisco than Genoa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. San Francisco is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, music, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Genoa attracts visitors for its historical sights. San Francisco is more touristy than Genoa and is known for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. It is also well known for The Golden Gate Bridge. Genoa is famous for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Genoa different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Francisco is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, San Francisco has many famous sights for visitors. 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 Genoa. The city has a long history and it is filled with monuments, palaces, and museums. Popular places to visit include the Via Garibaldi Palaces, the aquarium (one of the largest in Europe), the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and Santi Ambrogio.

Is Genoa or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a nice place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Genoa is not a theatre destination.

If you have some extra time in San Francisco, take in a show. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Genoa is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Genoa makes for a great culinary experience. The city's maritime roots have influenced its cuisine and you'll find seafood in many local dishes. Other classic Genoese flavors include pesto, anchovies, fried squid, and focaccia and cheese.

Is Genoa or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Genoa and San Francisco.

If you're looking for night time activities Genoa has a few options to choose from. The city lights up at night and it's fun to experience the activity and energy. There's a nice evening atmosphere with many people out and about. You can grab drinks in Piazza Lavagna or see live music in Porto Antico. There are also many bars and clubs around town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Genoa or San Francisco Better for Music?

San Francisco is a nice place to visit for its music scene. However, Genoa is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep San Francisco active and fun. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Genoa is not a live music destination.

Is Genoa or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is great for the beach. However, Genoa is not a good destination for its beaches.

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.

Genoa is a good spot to see the beach. While many people head to other nearby towns to enjoy the beach, you will also find a beach just ten minutes from the old town by bus. Boccadasse is one of the closest beaches to town. It's also possible to do a day trip to other more famous beaches in the area, but you need to be prepared to travel a bit farther.

Is Genoa or San Francisco Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Genoa has an old town worth visiting. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Is Genoa or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is terrific for hiking. However, Genoa 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.

Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Genoa or San Francisco?

San Francisco is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many people travel to San Francisco specifically to go shopping. 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.

Genoa is a great destination for shopping. You can pick up a number of different souvenirs around town including baskets, t-shirts, and local pesto. Popular shopping areas include Galleria Mazzini, Via Roma, and Via XX Settembr.

Is Genoa or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city 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.

Genoa is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city is home to the second biggest aquarium in Europe as well as the Galata Maritime Museum and the Nazario Sauro Submarine. In the port there's also Vascello Nettuno, which was a pirate ship that was used in the filming of the movie 'Pirates' by Roman Polanski. Other fun kid-friendly attractions include La Biosfera, The Children's Museum, and the Bigo Lift.

Is Genoa or San Francisco Better for Couples?

Genoa and San Francisco are both superb to visit as a couple.

Genoa is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. It's a beautiful port city with charming neighborhoods and some great restaurants. Couples will enjoy exploring this beautiful city and visiting its palaces and cathedrals.

San Francisco is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Genoa or San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Genoa and San Francisco are superb places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Genoa. There are a number of affordable hostels in the area, and while this isn't the top backpacker destination in Italy, it is a nice place to spend some time.

Backpackers come from all over to 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 Genoa or San Francisco Better for Students?

For students, both Genoa and San Francisco are superb places to visit.

Genoa is a great port city to visit as a student. It's a popular study abroad destination so you'll find a number of international students in the area. The city is also well connected for exploring the region.

Students come from all over to stay in San Francisco. 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.

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

San Francisco is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of San Francisco can take you anywhere. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Genoa. There's a wide range of different public transit options that are all operated by AMT. The system includes buses, an underground (one line), funiculars (two), lifts (ten), a boat, cogwheel and narrow gauge railways.

Is Genoa or San Francisco a more walkable city?

Genoa and San Francisco are superb when it comes to walkability.

Genoa is a very walkable destination. The old town, where most tourists spend the majority of their time, is easy to explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Genoa?

How long in Genoa or San Francisco?

Both Genoa 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 Genoa. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Genoa, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the energetic destination of Genoa. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Each neighborhood in San Francisco has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Genoa or San Francisco?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Francisco. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Genoa or San Francisco?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Genoa. This port 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 fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in San Francisco has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Genoa or San Francisco?

You'll find food and shopping around the port city of Genoa. 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.

Each neighborhood in San Francisco has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Genoa and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. And not only is Genoa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Genoa is in Europe and San Francisco is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Genoa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Genoa 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 Genoa.

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

Which is Bigger, Genoa or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Genoa. When comparing the sizes of Genoa 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 Genoa 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 Genoa or San Francisco in the Summer?

Both San Francisco and Genoa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. 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.

Genoa is a little warmer than San Francisco in the summer. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Genoa usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Genoa gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Genoa or San Francisco in the Autumn?

Both San Francisco and Genoa during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Genoa this time of year. Furthermore, 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.

In the autumn, Genoa is around the same temperature as San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Genoa in October average around 19°C (66°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Genoa usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. Genoa gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Genoa or San Francisco in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Genoa and San Francisco. Many travelers come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Francisco in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In January, Genoa is generally around the same temperature as San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 11°C (51°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In January, Genoa usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Genoa gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Genoa or San Francisco in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Genoa as well as San Francisco. Many visitors come to Genoa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

Genoa is around the same temperature as San Francisco in the spring. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Genoa usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. Genoa gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Genoa