A Travel Price Comparison for California San Francisco vs. Santa Monica for Attractions, Food, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit San Francisco or Santa Monica?

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 Monica, 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 beautiful, outdoorsy, and quirky coastal city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a energetic, active, and lively town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

San Francisco and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Francisco than Santa Monica, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Francisco is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, music, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Santa Monica is known for its nightlife and beaches. 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. Santa Monica is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities.

How is San Francisco different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Monica. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History Museum.

Is San Francisco or Santa Monica Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a popular place for its theatre productions. However, Santa Monica 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.

Santa Monica is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, San Francisco is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Santa Monica has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.

Is San Francisco or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is a great 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 Santa Monica has something for everybody. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.

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 San Francisco or Santa Monica Better for Music?

San Francisco is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Santa Monica is not a live music destination.

The music scene in San Francisco is active and vibrant. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Santa Monica is not a live music destination.

Is San Francisco or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is an amazing town to visit for the beach. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its beaches.

The beaches in Santa Monica are among the best in the world. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.

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 San Francisco or Santa Monica Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

People visit San Francisco specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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 Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Francisco or Santa Monica?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santa Monica. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.

Is San Francisco or Santa Monica Better for Families?

San Francisco and Santa Monica are both fantastic destinations for the whole family.

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.

Santa Monica is an extremely popular coastal city to visit for families. Many families spend their days hanging out on the beaches, soaking up the sun, and even trying to surf. There's a boardwalk as well as bike paths that are perfect for people watching. You should also check out the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which is a thrilling amusement park.

Is San Francisco or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

San Francisco and Santa Monica are both very good to visit as a couple.

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 Monica is a very popular place to visit for couples. Fun days on the beach, peaceful walks at sunset, and a wild nightlife scene make this the perfect couples destination for couples who enjoy activity and excitement.

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

San Francisco is notable for backpackers. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Santa Monica is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of activities in the area, whether you're into surfing, partying, or sunbathing. There's also at least one hostel that's great for budget travelers and backpackers.

Is San Francisco or Santa Monica Better for Students?

San Francisco is notable for students. However, Santa Monica is not popular with students.

San Francisco is a very popular coastal city for students and younger travelers. 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 Monica is not popular with students.

Is San Francisco or Santa Monica 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, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

Public transit in San Francisco is top-notch. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

Santa Monica does not have public transit. The Metro E Line connects the city to downtown Los Angeles. There's also the Big Blue Bus as well the Santa Monica Circuit, which are small electric carts that offer free rides between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street.

Is San Francisco or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

San Francisco and Santa Monica are very good 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 Monica is very walkable. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

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

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

How long in San Francisco or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Francisco and Santa Monica. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than in Santa Monica. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for San Francisco, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

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

Each neighborhood in San Francisco has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the active destination of Santa Monica. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in San Francisco or Santa Monica?

San Francisco is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Monica. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 Monica?

Each neighborhood in San Francisco has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the funfilled destination of Santa Monica. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Santa Monica?

San Francisco is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, San Francisco or Santa Monica?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of San Francisco and Santa Monica, 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 San Francisco or Santa Monica?

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 San Francisco or Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica and San Francisco during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to San Francisco in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, San Francisco is generally cooler than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in San Francisco average around 63°F (17°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

San Francisco usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. San Francisco gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Francisco or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Francisco and Santa Monica. Most visitors 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 during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the shopping scene.

San Francisco is cooler than Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Francisco averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

In October, San Francisco usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. San Francisco gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Francisco or Santa Monica in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Francisco as well as Santa Monica. The winter months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In the winter, San Francisco is cooler than Santa Monica. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Francisco in January average around 50°F (10°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 57°F (14°C).

San Francisco usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. San Francisco gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Francisco or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica and San Francisco are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches.

In April, San Francisco is generally cooler than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in San Francisco average around 58°F (14°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, San Francisco usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. San Francisco gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and San Francisco