A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Orleans vs. San Francisco for Food, Nightlife, Music, and Families

Should you visit New Orleans or San Francisco?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between New Orleans and San Francisco can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a festive, vibrant, and energetic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, 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 shopping, museums, and theater.

New Orleans and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or San Francisco?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Francisco than New Orleans. San Francisco is bigger than New Orleans, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Francisco is better known for its museums, theatre productions, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while New Orleans is more popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. New Orleans is well known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. San Francisco is well 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.

How is New Orleans different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Francisco is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have 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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Is New Orleans or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a coastal city with good options for theatre. However, New Orleans 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.

New Orleans is not a theatre destination.

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

Foodies will find both New Orleans and San Francisco both to be first-rate destinations.

Many restaurants in New Orleans have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

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.

Is New Orleans or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife.

New Orleans has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

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 New Orleans or San Francisco Better for Music?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for live music.

New Orleans has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

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 New Orleans or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

The beaches at San Francisco attract visitors from all over. 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.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is New Orleans or San Francisco Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to New Orleans to see the historical old town. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Is New Orleans or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Around San Francisco visitors will find world-class hiking 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.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or San Francisco?

San Francisco is a world-class destination for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is New Orleans or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

San Francisco is an extremely popular coastal city to visit for families. 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is New Orleans or San Francisco Better for Couples?

San Francisco is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is New Orleans or San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Francisco is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in 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.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is New Orleans or San Francisco Better for Students?

San Francisco is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

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.

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

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

San Francisco is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in San Francisco can get you around easily. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is New Orleans or San Francisco a more walkable city?

San Francisco is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or San Francisco?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the energetic destination of New Orleans. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 quirky coastal city where you can fill many days. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in New Orleans or San Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. 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 quirky big city where you can fill many days. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in New Orleans or San Francisco?

Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the vibrant destination of New Orleans. 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 quirky coastal city where you can fill many days. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in New Orleans or San Francisco?

You'll find food and nightlife around the city of New Orleans. 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 big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most people come for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between New Orleans and San Francisco, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans Expensive? and Is San Francisco Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans or San Francisco in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and San Francisco. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, New Orleans is generally much warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 82°F (28°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Orleans usually receives more rain than San Francisco. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Orleans or San Francisco in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as San Francisco. The autumn months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.

New Orleans is a little warmer than San Francisco in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

New Orleans usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In the winter, New Orleans is around the same temperature as San Francisco. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Orleans in January average around 51°F (11°C), and San Francisco averages at about 50°F (10°C).

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than San Francisco. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Orleans or San Francisco in the Spring?

Both San Francisco and New Orleans during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Francisco in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, New Orleans is generally a little warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 68°F (20°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 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 New Orleans