A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hilton Head Island vs. San Francisco for Food, Families, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Hilton Head Island or San Francisco?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Hilton Head Island and San Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a beautiful, resort-filled, and family-friendly coastal town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches.

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. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and beaches.

Hilton Head Island and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilton Head Island or San Francisco?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Francisco. Although Hilton Head Island and San Francisco are popular destinations, San Francisco has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Francisco is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Hilton Head Island attracts visitors for its resorts. San Francisco is more touristy than Hilton Head Island 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. Hilton Head Island is famous for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails.

How is Hilton Head Island different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hilton Head Island or San Francisco?

San Francisco is terrific for its museums and history. However, Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is very good for its shows and theatre. However, Hilton Head Island 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.

Hilton Head Island is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Hilton Head Island or San Francisco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Francisco is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

San Francisco has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Hilton Head Island offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

San Francisco is very good for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Francisco Better for Music?

San Francisco is very good for its music scene. However, Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in San Francisco. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Francisco Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is a great coastal town for its luxury resorts. However, San Francisco is not a resort destination.

Hilton Head Island is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

San Francisco is not a resort destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island and San Francisco are excellent choices for a beach vacation.

Hilton Head Island is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby 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.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit San Francisco specifically for its hiking. 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.

Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilton Head Island or San Francisco?

San Francisco is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Hilton Head Island is a great destination for shopping. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Francisco Better for Families?

You'll find terrific kid-friendly activities in either Hilton Head Island or San Francisco.

Hilton Head Island is one of the most popular family destinations. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

San Francisco is an amazing family-friendly coastal town 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.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Francisco Better for Couples?

San Francisco is a very popular place for couples. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Hilton Head Island is a nice destination for couples. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Francisco is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Hilton Head Island is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Hilton Head Island is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Francisco Better for Students?

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

San Francisco is very popular with students. 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.

Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Is Hilton Head Island 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. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options 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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Hilton Head Island or San Francisco a more walkable city?

San Francisco is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

San Francisco is a very walkable destination. 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.

Hilton Head Island is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Hilton Head Island?

How long in Hilton Head Island or San Francisco?

Both Hilton Head Island and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, San Francisco has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in San Francisco than Hilton Head Island. In general, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilton Head Island, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.

Families should spend more time in San Francisco than Hilton Head Island. 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 Hilton Head Island. 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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island or San Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Hilton Head Island. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

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. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hilton Head Island or San Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilton Head Island. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

San Francisco is a popular place to visit. San Francisco is a eccentric coastal city where you can fill many days. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Hilton Head Island or San Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxing destination of Hilton Head Island. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

San Francisco is a big city destination where you can fill many days. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Francisco has to offer.

A week in Hilton Head Island or San Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the coastal town of Hilton Head Island. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

San Francisco is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It offers something for everyone. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

When comparing the travel costs between Hilton Head Island and San Francisco, we can see that Hilton Head Island 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island or San Francisco in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and San Francisco. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hilton Head Island is much warmer than San Francisco in the summer. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Hilton Head Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hilton Head Island usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or San Francisco in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as San Francisco. Many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to San Francisco in the autumn 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, Hilton Head Island is a little warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hilton Head Island in October average around 68°F (20°C), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Hilton Head Island is generally cooler than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 48°F (9°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In January, Hilton Head Island usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or San Francisco in the Spring?

Both San Francisco and Hilton Head Island during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Hilton Head Island is a little warmer than San Francisco in the spring. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 67°F (19°C) in April, and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 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 Hilton Head Island