A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America San Francisco vs. Avon for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit San Francisco or Avon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Francisco or Avon, 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.

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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Avon

Avon is a active, outdoorsy, and scenic town. It's also popular because of the hiking, skiing, and nightlife.

San Francisco and Avon: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Numerous theater shows
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Big city activities
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Golden Gate Bridge
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less hiking options
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable


Is there more to do in San Francisco or Avon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in San Francisco than Avon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. San Francisco is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, music, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Avon is more popular for its skiing and resorts. San Francisco is more touristy than Avon 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. Avon is well known for it's affordable accommodation options and its access to Beaver Creek Ski Resort.

How is San Francisco different from Avon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is San Francisco or Avon Better for Skiing?

San Francisco
Avon

Avon is a great town for skiing. However, San Francisco is not a skiing destination.

Avon draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. Beaver Creek is the main ski area near town and it's about a mile away. The town of Avon is below Beaver Creek and is located beside an interstate.

San Francisco is not a skiing destination.


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

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. However, Avon is a mediocre town for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Avon specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While there aren't a ton of museums in the area, it's worth checking out the Walking Mountains Science Center.

Is San Francisco or Avon Better for Theater?

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is a good destination for theatre. However, Avon is not a theatre destination.

San Francisco offers a number of shows and performances. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Avon is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its 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.

Avon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are casual eateries where you can grab a bite to eat, whether you're in the mood for Chinese, pizza, or burgers.


Is San Francisco or Avon Better for Nightlife?

San Francisco
Avon

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both San Francisco and Avon.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Avon. It's a small town but there are some bars and lively pubs where you can enjoy cold drinks.

Is San Francisco or Avon Better for Music?

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is a good destination for live music. However, Avon 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.

Avon is not a live music destination.

Is San Francisco or Avon Better for Resorts?

San Francisco
Avon

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

Avon has a few great resort options. There are the typical chain resort options, many with beautiful mountain views.

San Francisco is not a resort destination.


Is San Francisco or Avon Better for Beaches?

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is notable for its beaches. However, Avon is not a beach destination.

Many people visit San Francisco for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Avon is not a beach destination.

Is San Francisco or Avon Better for Hiking?

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

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.

Avon is a good destination for hiking. There are paved trails and recreational paths through town that are great for both hiking and biking. The main ones are Eagle Valley Trail and the trails in West Avon Preserve.

Is the Shopping Better in San Francisco or Avon?

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is a must-visit destination for shopping. However, Avon is a mediocre town 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Avon has some nice offerings. There aren't a ton of shopping opportunities in town, but there are enough shops around in case you need to pick up necessities or buy a gift.


Is San Francisco or Avon Better for Families?

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-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.

Avon is a family-friendly coastal city. There are parks and playgrounds around town and there's easy access to the Beaver Creek Ski Resort. There's also plenty of hiking in the area.

Is San Francisco or Avon Better for Couples?

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is notable for romance. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Avon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While avid skiers prefer to stay at nearby Beaver Creek, the town of Avon offers a good alternative.

Is San Francisco or Avon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is notable for backpackers. However, Avon is a mediocre town 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.

Avon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers prefer to stay closer to the ski facilities.


Is San Francisco or Avon Better for Students?

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is notable for students. However, Avon 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.

Avon is not popular with students.

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

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

San Francisco has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

Avon has some public transit options. There are shuttles and buses that travel through town and to Beaver Creek.

Is San Francisco or Avon a more walkable city?

San Francisco
Avon

San Francisco is notable for its walkability. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Avon is a somewhat walkable place. The town center is small and there are paved walking trails that you can use. It's possible to walk to restaurants or the recreation center, depending on where you're staying.


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

Should I spend more time in Avon or San Francisco?

How long in San Francisco or Avon?

It's fun to spend time in either San Francisco or Avon. Generally, people tend to spend more time in San Francisco due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for San Francisco, and 2-4 days is enough time in Avon.

Families should spend more time in San Francisco than Avon. 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 Avon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Francisco that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Francisco than Avon 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.


  • How many days in San Francisco or Avon? Ideal Length of Stay
    San Francisco 3-7 
    Avon 2-4

One day in San Francisco or Avon?

San Francisco is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the active destination of Avon. 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.

A weekend in San Francisco or Avon?

San Francisco is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avon. 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.

Five days in San Francisco or Avon?

San Francisco is a scenic 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. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic destination of Avon. This town 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.


A week in San Francisco or Avon?

San Francisco is a outdoorsy coastal city where you can fill many days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find food and skiing around the town of Avon. 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Avon or San Francisco?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in San Francisco is $222, while the average daily cost in Avon is $277. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for San Francisco and Avon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Francisco $130
    Avon $177
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Francisco $260
    Avon $354
Compare Hotels in San Francisco and Avon

Looking for a hotel in San Francisco or Avon? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in San Francisco


Hotels in Avon


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: San Francisco Hotel Prices and Avon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Francisco $16
    Avon $41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:


  • Taxi to SFO
    $45
  • Golden Gate Bridge Toll
    $6.00
  • Alcatraz Tour
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco

Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer in private vehicle from San Francisco Airport to City: $35
  • SFO Airport Private Transfer to/from Downtown San Francisco: $97
  • Airport Transfer: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Francisco: $107
  • Private Airport Transfer: San Francisco to SF International Airport (SFO): $107
  • Private Transfer from Airport SFO to San Francisco in Business Car: $108
  • Departure Private Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO in Business Car: $108
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Business Car: $108
  • Private Airport Transfer from SFO to San Francisco (One-way): $110
  • San Francisco Airport (SFO) to San Francisco - Arrival Private Transfer: $110
  • San Francisco to San Francisco Airport (SFO) - Departure Private Transfer: $110
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in San Francisco HTL-APT (SFO): $119
  • SFO Airport Private Transfer to Downtown: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into San Francisco or Avon?

Prices for flights to both Avon and San Francisco change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    San Francisco $46
    Avon $67

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco

For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • San Francisco Virtual Food Tour with Local Guide: $19
  • North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $79
  • Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Bay: $82
  • Secret Food Tours San Francisco: $84
  • Mission District Food Tour with Tastings: $85
  • Farmers' Market & Ferry Building Food Tour: $87
  • Mission District Walking Food Tour: $89
  • Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $89
  • San Francisco North Beach Food Tour: $89
  • San Francisco North Beach and Chinatown - Secret Food Tours: $89
  • San Francisco Chinatown Food Tour: $89
  • San Francisco Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Francisco $46
    Avon $48

Tours and Activities in San Francisco

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.

  • Golden Gate Bridge: Self-guided Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
  • San Francisco’s Chinatown on foot: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Leave your heart at the Wharf: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Self Guided Chinatown Tour: Food, History and Culture: $5.99
  • San Francisco's Barbary Past: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Embarcadero Self-Guided Audio Smartphone Tour: $5.99
  • San Francisco self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $6.46
  • The Ghosts of San Francisco Haunted Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Japantown & Stories: $6.99
  • Ghosts & Hauntings Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Secrets of Golden Gate Park Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Design in the Financial District Audio Tour: $7.99

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Francisco $22
    Avon $38

Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:

  • Chinatown San Francisco’s Bar Crawl: An Audio Tour: $4.99
  • SF Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $27
  • San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
  • Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • 2 to 3 Hour Bar Crawl in Castro San Francisco: $49
  • Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
  • Private Wine Tour Napa or Sonoma from $99 per person up to 7 & Concierge Service: $99
  • Small Group: The Ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $109
  • Big Bus Napa and Sonoma Valley Wine Tour: $125
  • Half-Day Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings: $126
  • From The Ultimate Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour: $139
  • The Ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $139


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Francisco and Avon, we can see that Avon is more expensive. And not only is San Francisco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Francisco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Francisco 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 Avon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avon than you might in San Francisco.

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


Which is Bigger, San Francisco or Avon?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Avon. When comparing the sizes of San Francisco and Avon, 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.