A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shanghai vs. San Francisco for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Shanghai or San Francisco?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Shanghai and San Francisco. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a modern, cosmopolitan, and professional port city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

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.

Shanghai and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or San Francisco?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in San Francisco than Shanghai. While Shanghai is larger than San Francisco, San Francisco has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Francisco is more touristy than Shanghai and 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. Shanghai is popular for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade.

How is Shanghai different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the world-class sights and museums in both Shanghai and San Francisco.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Shanghai are among the most recognizable in the world. The city's sights mix culture with modern innovation. From the futuristic skyline and the iconic waterfront area known as the Bund, to the classic Yu Garden, there are a diversity of sights around the city. There are also museums like the Shanghai Museum, which educate visitors on Chinese culture.

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.

Is Shanghai or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a good destination for its theatre productions. However, Shanghai 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.

Shanghai is not a theatre destination.

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

Foodies will find both Shanghai and San Francisco both to be world-class destinations.

Eat your way through Shanghai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city's cuisine has a long history with many distinct traditional dishes. The foods incorporate a lot of soy sauce and sugar and you'll find most dishes are rice based as opposed to using wheat products. Popular local dishes include the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, steamed crab, and braised pork. The city is also famous for its snacks, which can be purchased at one of the many snack houses or street stalls.

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.

Is Shanghai or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Shanghai and San Francisco.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Shanghai. A night out can quickly become very expensive. Many of the venues are spread out so you'll likely spend at least some of the time in a taxi. The Bund is one of the most popular areas for nightlife, but this area also has the most expensive bars and clubs. They often offer impressive views of Pudong and the Huangpu River though.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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 Shanghai or San Francisco Better for Music?

San Francisco is a good destination for its live music scene. However, Shanghai 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.

Shanghai is not a live music destination.

Is Shanghai or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is notable for the beache. However, Shanghai 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.

Shanghai is not a beach destination.

Is Shanghai or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

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.

Shanghai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or San Francisco?

Both Shanghai and San Francisco are world-class shopping destinations.

The abundance of shops in Shanghai make it a world-class shopping destination. The city has many large shopping malls with department stores, name brand fashion, and trendy shops. It is also known for its cheap electronics and tailor-made clothes.

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.

Is Shanghai or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Shanghai. Of course there's Disneyland, but kids will also enjoy soaking up the city's culture, trying fun new snacks, and exploring the many science and kid-friendly museums. There are also parks and outdoor spaces as well as skyscrapers and towers that offer incredible views of the city.

Is Shanghai or San Francisco Better for Couples?

Shanghai is an amazing port city to visit for couples. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Shanghai has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its east meets west personality, couples will be able to enjoy an amazing culinary experience, beautiful gardens, and luxury hotels and spas. There are many romantic areas around this bustling city, making it the perfect place for a romantic city getaway.

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.

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

Both Shanghai and San Francisco are great destinations for backpackers.

Shanghai is a great port city to visit for backpackers. The city is expensive, but there are hostels and cheap eateries that make it accessible even for the budget conscious. Business travelers and local workers give the city a more professional vibe during the day, but if you find the right place to stay you'll quickly be able to meet likeminded travelers.

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.

Is Shanghai or San Francisco Better for Students?

Shanghai and San Francisco are both great destinations for students and younger travelers.

Many students visit Shanghai. The city attracts international and study abroad students who enjoy its long history and fascinating culture. It's a world financial capital with many businesses headquartered here, so employment opportunities are abundant.

San Francisco is a very popular port 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.

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

San Francisco is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in San Francisco can get you around easily. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

The public transit in Shanghai can get you to most places easily. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

Is Shanghai or San Francisco a more walkable city?

Shanghai and San Francisco both are great when exploring on foot.

Shanghai is a very walkable port city. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or San Francisco?

Both Shanghai 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 Shanghai. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.

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

Shanghai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

The beautiful coastal city of San Francisco offers shopping and museums. 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.

A weekend in Shanghai or San Francisco?

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

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.

Five days in Shanghai or San Francisco?

Shanghai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This port city 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 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.

A week in Shanghai or San Francisco?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful port city of Shanghai. 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 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia and San Francisco is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Shanghai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shanghai 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 Shanghai.

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

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or San Francisco?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as San Francisco. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Shanghai is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shanghai in July average around 28°C (83°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shanghai usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or San Francisco in the Autumn?

Both San Francisco and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Shanghai is generally around the same temperature as San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 19°C (65°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Shanghai usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Shanghai or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco and Shanghai during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.

The weather in Shanghai can be very cold. Shanghai is much colder than San Francisco in the winter. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

Shanghai usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or San Francisco in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and San Francisco. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Shanghai is around the same temperature as San Francisco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shanghai in April average around 15°C (58°F), and San Francisco averages at about 58°F (14°C).

Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shanghai usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Shanghai