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

Should you visit San Francisco or Santa Fe?

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

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

Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a charming, artsy, and cultural historic town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and live music.

San Francisco and Santa Fe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Francisco or Santa Fe?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Francisco than Santa Fe. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. San Francisco is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Santa Fe attracts visitors for its skiing, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. San Francisco is more touristy than Santa Fe 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. Santa Fe is famous for its strong arts scene, its Pueblo-style architecture, and its unique local cuisine.

How is San Francisco different from Santa Fe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is San Francisco or Santa Fe Better for Skiing?

Santa Fe is a nice place to visit for skiing. However, San Francisco is not a skiing destination.

Head to Santa Fe for some great skiing and other winter activities. There are a few good ski resorts not far from Santa Fe. Popular options include Taos Ski Valley, Ski Santa Fe, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, and Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort.

San Francisco is not a skiing destination.

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

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town 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.

Santa Fe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Head to the Museum of New Mexico Complex, which has four museums that give a great overview of the history of the area. Also make sure you visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.

Is San Francisco or Santa Fe Better for Theater?

San Francisco is very good for its shows and theatre. However, Santa Fe 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.

Santa Fe is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

San Francisco has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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, Santa Fe makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local restaurants that use regional ingredients and offer great flavors. There are also cafes and bistros where you can enjoy breakfast or brunch. Local dishes include sopaipillas made with Native American fry bread, slow-cooked beans, and anything made with red and green chili peppers.

Is San Francisco or Santa Fe Better for Nightlife?

San Francisco is very good for its evening party scene. However, Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. While most of the town quiets down at night, the city has a few areas that stay active late into the night. Live music is popular and diverse. It often includes different genres such as the blues, country, salsa or bluegrass.

Is San Francisco or Santa Fe Better for Music?

San Francisco and Santa Fe are both destinations where visitors can find nice live music.

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.

You'll find some good live music in Santa Fe. The town has an eclectic music scene that includes a mix of the blues, country, Latin American music, and bluegrass.

Is San Francisco or Santa Fe Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is a great coastal city for the beach. However, Santa Fe is not a beach destination.

San Francisco is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Santa Fe is not a beach destination.

Is San Francisco or Santa Fe Better for its Old Town?

Santa Fe is a great historic town for its historic old town charm. However, San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Santa Fe to see the historical old town. As the 2nd oldest city in the United States, the old town historic district is filled with charm. The Pueblo-style buildings are brightly colored and there are churches throughout.

San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Is San Francisco or Santa Fe Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for the nearby hiking options.

Many people visit San Francisco specifically for its hiking. 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.

Santa Fe has hiking trails worth exploring. Because it's located right by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, there are many beautiful hikes right outside of town. Popular trails include the Picacho Peak Trail and the Nambe Lake Trail. Bandelier National also has many places to hike.

Is the Shopping Better in San Francisco or Santa Fe?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town 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.

Santa Fe is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many unique shops and art galleries that feature local artists and craftsmen.

Is San Francisco or Santa Fe Better for Families?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for its family-friendly activities.

San Francisco is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Santa Fe is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a few kids' museums in Santa Fe including the Santa Fe Children's Museum and the Meow Wolf Art Complex. Kids also enjoy the botanical gardens at Museum Hill and Bandelier National Monument just outside of the city.

Is San Francisco or Santa Fe Better for Couples?

San Francisco is a great coastal city for couples. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for romance.

San Francisco is a great coastal 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.

Santa Fe is a nice destination for couples. There are many romantic inns around town, each with a lot of character. The town also has a lot of atmosphere that makes for a romantic getaway.

Is San Francisco or Santa Fe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Francisco is a great coastal city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Santa Fe 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.

Santa Fe is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as several campgrounds.

Is San Francisco or Santa Fe Better for Students?

San Francisco is a great coastal city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for students.

San Francisco is very popular with students. 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.

Santa Fe is a good coastal city to visit for students. There are a few colleges and universities in town and students will appreciate the reasonable cost of living and outdoor activities nearby.

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

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Santa Fe is not known for its public transit.

Visitors in San Francisco can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

Public transit is generally limited in Santa Fe. There is a bus system - the Santa Fe Trails Bus Service.

Is San Francisco or Santa Fe a more walkable city?

San Francisco and Santa Fe are excellent when it comes to 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.

Santa Fe is very walkable. The historic district is walkable and it's easy to visit most of the tourist sights in this area on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Fe or San Francisco?

How long in San Francisco or Santa Fe?

In either San Francisco or Santa Fe, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than Santa Fe because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for San Francisco, and 2-5 days is enough time in Santa Fe.

Families should spend more time in San Francisco than Santa Fe. 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 Santa Fe. 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 Santa Fe 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 San Francisco or Santa Fe?

San Francisco is a big city with plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and skiing when visiting the historic destination of Santa Fe. 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.

A weekend in San Francisco or Santa Fe?

San Francisco is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in San Francisco or Santa Fe?

San Francisco is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in San Francisco, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the charming destination of Santa Fe. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This historic 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.

A week in San Francisco or Santa Fe?

San Francisco is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Francisco has to offer. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic town of Santa Fe. 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.

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.

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

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 Santa Fe Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Francisco or Santa Fe?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Fe. When comparing the sizes of San Francisco and Santa Fe, 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.