A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Augustine vs. San Francisco for Attractions, Food, Families, and Beaches

Should you visit Saint Augustine or San Francisco?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a colonial, historic, and notable 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 quirky, eccentric, and one-of-a-kind coastal city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for museums, theater, and nightlife.

Saint Augustine and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or San Francisco?

Visitors will usually find more to do in San Francisco than Saint Augustine, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. San Francisco is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, music, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Saint Augustine is more popular for its historical sights. San Francisco is more touristy than Saint Augustine and is popular 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. Saint Augustine is well known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States.

How is Saint Augustine different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Francisco is very popular for its museums and landmarks. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in San Francisco that are not to be missed. 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 Saint Augustine. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

Is Saint Augustine or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a nice place to visit for theatre. However, Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco is very popular for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Is Saint Augustine or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Augustine or San Francisco has a better nightlife scene.

Saint Augustine has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

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.

Is Saint Augustine or San Francisco Better for Music?

San Francisco is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine is not a live music destination.

Is Saint Augustine or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

Both Saint Augustine and San Francisco have superb beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Saint Augustine. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

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 Saint Augustine or San Francisco Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Saint Augustine offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Augustine or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is very popular for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or San Francisco?

San Francisco is very popular for shopping. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

San Francisco is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Saint Augustine is well-known for its shopping. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Is Saint Augustine or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Augustine is very family-friendly. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Is Saint Augustine or San Francisco Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Saint Augustine frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

San Francisco is a great city 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 Saint Augustine or San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Francisco is a great destination for backpackers. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Saint Augustine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as a couple of affordable inns.

Is Saint Augustine or San Francisco Better for Students?

San Francisco is a great destination for students. However, Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

San Francisco is a great coastal city to visit as a student. 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.

Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

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

San Francisco is very popular for its public transit. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Is Saint Augustine or San Francisco a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine and San Francisco both are superb when exploring on foot.

Saint Augustine is very walkable. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

San Francisco is a very walkable 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.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or San Francisco?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the notable destination of Saint Augustine. 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 big city with plenty to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Saint Augustine or San Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 big city with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Saint Augustine or San Francisco?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colonial destination of Saint Augustine. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This coastal city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Saint Augustine or San Francisco?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Saint Augustine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 with plenty to do. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Augustine and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine or San Francisco in the Summer?

Both San Francisco and Saint Augustine during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Augustine 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.

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or San Francisco in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and San Francisco. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine is a little warmer than San Francisco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Saint Augustine usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or San Francisco in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as San Francisco. Many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the museums, 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.

In the winter, Saint Augustine is a little warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Augustine in January average around 53°F (12°C), and San Francisco averages at about 50°F (10°C).

Saint Augustine usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or San Francisco in the Spring?

Both San Francisco and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine 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 April, Saint Augustine is generally a little warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 68°F (20°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Saint Augustine usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Saint Augustine