California Vacation Destinations: San Diego Vs. San Francisco

It’s a battle of the destinations! When planning a California vacation, how do you decide where to go? California is such a diverse state with eclectic cities, beautiful lake towns, and scenic mountain hot spots. San Diego and San Francisco are two of the state’s most popular destinations, each with its own unique offerings and amazing attractions.

We’ve decided to take a closer look at these favorite California vacation hot spots and compare their various vacation benefits to help you make a decision on which is best for you!

Overview: San Diego Vs. San Francisco Vacation

San Diego is located on the Pacific coast of California. Visitors flock to this eclectic city for its beaches, parks, museums, and art galleries. San Diego also offers year-round sunshine and plenty of great waterfront dining options.

San Francisco is situated on a peninsula between the famous San Francisco Bay and the Pacific ocean. This artsy destination offers a sophisticated downtown area with plenty of music, art, and good food. The weather here varies between warm and dry, to cool and rainy.

Top Outdoor Activities

When considering a San Diego vs San Francisco vacation, you can be sure both destinations will have a great variety of outdoor activities to engage in.

San Diego

• Go kayaking in the La Jolla Sea Caves
• Rent a bike for a ride along the coast
• Go sailing on San Diego Bay
• Go on a whale watching cruise from Mission Bay
• Hike Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

San Francisco

• Ride the ferry out to Angel Island
• Take a walk or have a picnic at Golden Gate Park
• Hike through the Muir Woods to admire the Sequoia trees and the Coastal Redwoods
• Rent a bike to explore the downtown area
• Hop on a Billy Goat Hill rope swing and enjoy the views of the city

Top Entertainment Options

Music, art, and theater play a big role in both these destinations. So when choosing California vacation destinations, rest assured that you’ll have plenty of entertainment options.

San Diego

• Live music at the Gaslamp Quarter
• New Orleans-style food and live music at the House of Blues San Diego
• Dancing, drinks, and music at Winstons Beach Club

San Francisco

• The Amnesia Beer and Music Hall
• Bottom of the Hill Club with live music and dancing
• The Fillmore, historical indie concert venue

Top Attractions

Both San Diego and San Francisco are known for a great selection of famous attractions that drive tourists to visit these desirable destinations. Which ones most appeal to you?

San Diego

• San Diego Zoo – lions, and tigers, and bears!
• Balboa Park – 1,200 acre park with a wide range of attractions
• SeaWorld San Diego – aquatic theme park with live shows and rides
• USS Midway Museum – historic aircraft carrier that hosts numerous museum exhibits
• Cabrillo National Monument – famous lighthouse with breathtaking views

San Francisco

• Golden Gate Bridge – iconic structure, a great place for photo ops
• Alcatraz Island – famous prison and historical attraction
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art – top art museum with an impressive collection of artwork
• PIER 39 – gorgeous pier with stunning views and great dining options
• California Academy of Sciences – museum with a variety of science exhibits and other research on display

Top Dining Options

Fresh seafood, waterfront restaurants, and so much more can be found at these California vacation destinations. Whether you like fine or casual dining, there are plenty of options for you.

San Diego

• Top of the Market – high-end dining establishment with fresh seafood and an impressive wine selection
• Island Prime – outdoor waterfront dining with classic Californian cuisine and views of the Bay
• Mister A’s – skyline views and an elegant atmosphere make for an incredible dining experience
• Coasterra – modern Mexican cuisine and unique cocktails with views of the San Diego Bay

San Francisco

• ONE65 – French dining with a variety of unique experiences: patisserie and cafe, bistro, bar and lounge, fine dining restaurant,and private dining space
• Nari – a sophisticated Thai restaurant with classic and contemporary dishes
• Acquerello – one of the older restaurants in San Francisco, serving Old World Italian dishes
• Angler San Francisco – fresh seafood located right on the Embarcadero waterfront

Find Great Accommodations

A San Diego vs San Francisco vacation, which will you choose? Either city is guaranteed to provide a great experience with sunshine and a wealth of activities to choose from. Be sure to shop SellMyTimeshareNow.com for affordable timeshare resales and rentals that are advertised thousands below retail.

Browse San Diego timeshares for sale and San Diego timeshares for rent.

Find San Fracisco timeshares for sale and San Francisco timeshares for rent.