A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Panama City vs. San Francisco for Food, Families, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Panama City or San Francisco?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City 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.

Panama City

Panama City is a cosmopolitan, fun-filled, and active beach town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and quirky coastal city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Panama City and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Panama City or San Francisco?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Francisco. Although Panama City and San Francisco are both popular with visitors, San Francisco has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. San Francisco is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Panama City is known for its nightlife and resorts. Panama City is popular for its watersports, sandy beaches, and year-round beach weather. San Francisco is popular for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. It is also home to The Golden Gate Bridge.

How is Panama City different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in San Francisco are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

Panama City does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Panama City or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a nice place to visit for its theatre productions. However, Panama City is not a theatre destination.

With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in San Francisco. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Panama City is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Panama City is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are many waterfront restaurants that serve freshly caught seafood. Head to town for a charming atmosphere or grab a bite at a casual eatery. Fried seafood is popular when eating out but you'll also find plenty of options for land-lovers. Most restaurants also have kid-friendly menus.

Is Panama City or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

Panama City is a great beach town for its evening party scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Panama City has something for everybody. The nightlife is particular crazy during spring break, when the town fills with students. Head to the famous Club La Vela or Spinnaker for music and fun at night.

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 Panama City or San Francisco Better for Music?

Live music enthusiatsts will find something to enjoy in either Panama City or San Francisco.

The music scene helps keep Panama City active and fun. A popular way to enjoy music in the area is to find a restaurant with a lounge where local musicians perform.

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 Panama City or San Francisco Better for Resorts?

Panama City is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, San Francisco is not a resort destination.

Panama City has a few great resort options. Most people stay in condos that are VRBO's or Airbnbs, but there are resorts in the area as well.

San Francisco is not a resort destination.

Is Panama City or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

Both Panama City and San Francisco have superb beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Panama City. With miles of long white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters, this area's beaches offer a beautiful escape. Head to the area's state parks for the most natural experience. These include St. Andrews State Park and Camp Helen State Park. A day trip to Shell Island is also popular.

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.

Is Panama City or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Panama City 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.

Panama City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Panama City or San Francisco?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Panama City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in San Francisco make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Panama City has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of malls and shopping centers in the area.

Is Panama City or San Francisco Better for Families?

Panama City and San Francisco are both amazing destinations for the whole family.

Panama City is an amazing family-friendly beach town to visit. This area has large sandy beaches, waterparks, amusement parks, and marine parks. Kids will enjoy playing around at WonderWorks, cooling off at Shipwreck Island Waterpark, and learning about marine life at Gulf World Marine Park. There are also many watersports and water activities that are fun for the whole family.

San Francisco is an extremely popular beach town 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.

Is Panama City or San Francisco Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Panama City frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful beaches and romantic restaurants make for a great romantic getaway. This is the perfect place to take sunset walks along the beach and sample freshly caught local seafood.

San Francisco is a great beach town if you're traveling as 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.

Is Panama City or San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Francisco is a great destination for backpackers. However, Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

San Francisco is a great coastal city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Panama City is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Panama City or San Francisco Better for Students?

Panama City and San Francisco are superb places to visit for students.

Panama City is a great beach town to visit as a student. It's not the spring break destination that it once was, but you'll still find students hanging out around the spring holidays.

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 Panama City 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 its public transit. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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 mostly limited in Panama City. Most people need a car in Panama City but there is a trolley service that connects major tourist areas.

Is Panama City or San Francisco a more walkable city?

San Francisco is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Panama City is a beach town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

San Francisco is a very walkable coastal city. 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.

Panama City is not a very walkable beach town. There's often construction and the streets aren't designed for pedestrians.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Panama City?

How long in Panama City or San Francisco?

Both Panama City 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 Panama City. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cosmopolitan destination of Panama City. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 eccentric 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 Panama City or San Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Panama City. 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 eccentric 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 Panama City or San Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cosmopolitan destination of Panama City. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This beach 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 beautiful 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 Panama City or San Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the beach town of Panama City. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Panama City or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Panama City. When comparing the sizes of Panama City 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 Panama City or San Francisco?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Panama City or San Francisco in the Summer?

Both San Francisco and Panama City during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Panama City because of the beaches, the music scene, 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.

In the summer, Panama City is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Panama City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Panama City. Panama City usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or San Francisco in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and San Francisco. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Also, 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 October, Panama City is generally a little warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 71°F (22°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Panama City usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Panama City or San Francisco in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Panama City as well as San Francisco. Many travelers come to Panama City for 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.

Panama City is around the same temperature as San Francisco in the winter. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

Panama City usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as San Francisco. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or San Francisco in the Spring?

Both San Francisco and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Panama City in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Panama City is a little warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Panama City in April average around 68°F (20°C), and San Francisco averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Panama City usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Panama City