A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. San Francisco for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Martha's Vineyard and San Francisco. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. 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. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Martha's Vineyard and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Francisco. Although Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors for its resorts and small town charm. San Francisco is more touristy than Martha's Vineyard 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. Martha's Vineyard is famous for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known 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.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a good destination for its shows and theatre. However, Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through San Francisco, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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, Martha's Vineyard makes for a great culinary experience. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

Is Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

San Francisco is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities San Francisco has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco Better for Music?

San Francisco is a good destination for its music scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in San Francisco. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Martha's Vineyard is not a live music destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, San Francisco is not a resort destination.

Martha's Vineyard offers an unforgettable resort vacation. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

San Francisco is not a resort destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard and San Francisco both offer great beaches.

Many people visit Martha's Vineyard for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

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.

Is Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for hiking. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

San Francisco is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Is the Shopping Better in Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island 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.

Martha's Vineyard is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Is Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, San Francisco is very family-friendly. 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.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for couples. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Martha's Vineyard has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

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 Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Francisco is a great coastal city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for backpackers.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.

Is Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco Better for Students?

San Francisco is a great coastal city for its student-friendly activities. However, Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

Many students visit 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

Is Martha's Vineyard 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, Martha's Vineyard is not known 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 Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco a more walkable city?

San Francisco is a great coastal city for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island 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.

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting? and Is San Francisco Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Martha's Vineyard?

How long in Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco?

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

Families should spend more time in San Francisco than Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco?

Even though Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

When visiting San Francisco, people usually allow for lots of time. It's also a great beach destination, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Martha's Vineyard. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

When visiting San Francisco, people usually allow for lots of time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island 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.

When visiting San Francisco, people usually allow for lots of time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

A week in Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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. Most people come for the beaches. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Martha's Vineyard and San Francisco, we can see that Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard Expensive? and Is San Francisco Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco in the Summer?

Both San Francisco and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Martha's Vineyard is a little warmer than San Francisco in the summer. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Martha's Vineyard gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco in the Autumn?

Both San Francisco and Martha's Vineyard during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to San Francisco because of 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, Martha's Vineyard is cooler than San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in October average around 53°F (12°C), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Martha's Vineyard and San Francisco. The winter months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.

The weather in Martha's Vineyard can be very cold. In January, Martha's Vineyard is generally much colder than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Martha's Vineyard average around 28°F (-2°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In January, Martha's Vineyard usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or San Francisco in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Martha's Vineyard as well as San Francisco. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Martha's Vineyard is much colder than San Francisco in the spring. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.7 inches (94 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 Martha's Vineyard