San Francisco vs Los Angeles: Which West Coast Rival is Better?

Did you know that San Francisco and Los Angeles are two of the most visited cities in the United States? Yet, despite being only 382 miles apart on the Pacific Coast Highway, these two California cities are pretty dramatically different. 

San Francisco is known for its rolling hills, iconic bridges, and tech bro culture, while Los Angeles boasts its palm tree-lined sandy beaches, terrible traffic, and sunny weather. And this long-standing rivalry has been going strong for decades.

With both cities offering unique experiences, deciding which one to visit can be hard. In this post, we’ll explore the key differences between San Francisco vs Los Angeles to help you decide which city is the better option for your next vacation. 

And if you’re still undecided, why not go for an awesome PCT road trip and visit both!

Which City is Better: San Francisco or Los Angeles?

San Francisco and Los Angeles have distinct climates, attractions, and overall vibes. Choose San Francisco if you’re interested in alternative culture and cooler weather, or opt for Los Angeles if you want sunshine and glamour. 

As someone who has lived in Los Angeles for three years and had an ex to visit in San Francisco during some of that time, I consider myself well-versed on these two cities. 

Below, we’ll give you a detailed comparison of San Francisco vs Los Angeles, including important variables such:

• Affordability
• Transportation
• Weather
• Food
• Culture
• Geography & Landscape
• Nightlife
• Safety

Then a short section on the best things to do.

San Francisco vs Los Angeles Overview 

San Francisco has a work hard, play hard vibe, with steep hills that people still walk up, vintage cable cars, historic landmark buildings, and picturesque bay views. The city is known for its art scene, Silicon Valley, and its acceptance of alternate lifestyles. SF is also only one area of the larger urbanized “Bay Area.”

In contrast, Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis with a car culture, fit people on beautiful beaches, stars on sidewalks, and mansion party lifestyles. The city is renowned for Hollywood, luxury shopping on Rodeo Drive, and its melting pot of cultures.

Key Differences Between San Francisco vs Los Angeles

Costs & Prices: Is San Francisco or LA more expensive?

San Francisco and Los Angeles are two of the most expensive cities in the United States and the world. Still, I would say Los Angeles wins in terms of being more affordable.

Both major cities have a crazy high cost of housing, but San Francisco is significantly more expensive (~22% higher). According to Zillow, the median home value in San Francisco is $1.3 million, while in Los Angeles, it’s $900,000. So, of course, this real estate value trickles down to hotels. 

Budget hostels both start at around $25 a night. You can expect the average price of 3 star hotels to be about $172 in San Francisco and closer to $150 in Los Angeles and go up from there. 

It’s unfair to compare accommodation since in LA you can pick a relatively cheaper neighborhood like Koreatown. But it is all expensive in SF unless you cross the bridge to Oakland.

Transportation & Ease Of Travel

San Francisco has an excellent public transportation system that includes trains, buses, streetcars, and cable cars. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the bus system, Muni, are extensive and serve the entire Bay area. 

If you’re renting a car, driving up the steep hills of Chinatown can be stressful, and parking can be challenging in the city. 

Los Angeles is known for being a car-oriented city, but some public transportation options are still available. The Metro offers buses and trains, including two subway lines, although the system is not nearly as comprehensive. Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are widely used and a convenient option. 

Which traffic is worse LA or San Francisco?

LA, by far. Traffic jams are literally the worst thing about this city and something everyone complains about daily. It truly is horrible. Good luck going to LA on weekdays between 8am – 10am, or leaving the city from 3pm – 7pm.

Is San Francisco more walkable than Los Angeles?

San Francisco is a very walkable city with an extensive bike lane system. Outside of DTLA, Los Angeles is mostly unwalkable and has a limited bike-sharing system with fewer bike lanes.

Weather

San Francisco has a unique climate thanks to the Pacific Ocean’s influence and the bay’s shape. Expect Carl (yes, the fog that blankets the city has a name) to roll in what seems like every morning. But over yonder across the Oakland Bay Bridge, it’ll be nice and sunny.

Cool, mild temperatures surround SF year-round. Summers are typically foggy and cool, with average temperatures rarely reaching above 70°F. Warm, sunny days will have everyone running to Dolores Park. Fall and winter months get chilly enough that you’ll want to pack multiple layers if you plan to visit.

Los Angeles’s semi-arid climate is characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and very little rain. Certain areas like DTLA and Van Nuys trap hot air in the summer, making temperatures sometimes 10 degrees warmer than by the beach. Many escape to the coast or the mountains during the peak of the summer. 

Winter never gets too cold, and you can even find yourself hanging on the beach in a T-shirt in December some days. But drive for two hours, and you can still ski at Big Bear. 

California Wildfire Season

Every summer, you may hear in the news of the terrible California wildfires. The entire state experiences a wildfire season that runs from mid-summer to November. High temperatures, strong winds, and drought-like conditions increase the risk, which spreads quickly and is difficult to control. 

If you’re coming to California during this time, stay informed about any fires in your area. And be prepared for bad air pollution, or it putting a damper in your National Park plans. 

Food

The food in both cities are to die for. 

San Francisco is known for its innovative dining scene, with a plethora of high-end restaurants showcasing the best of California cuisine. The city is globally celebrated for its farm-to-table approach, and seasonal ingredients. It is named the most restaurant-dense city in the country.

Los Angeles has an eclectic food scene featuring street food, food trucks, farm-to-table cuisine, and high-end dining. The city is represented by cuisine from all around the world. Draw a country out of a hat, and you’ll find a restaurant for that ethnicity or some weird fusion. 

Related Post: Hungry? Check out this list of best food tours in Los Angeles

Culture

San Francisco and Los Angeles are two of the most demographically diverse cities in the USA. San Francisco’s culture is known for its liberal and progressive values, innovation, and big tech or startup-focused lifestyle. 

The city has a significant LGBTQ+ presence, culminating with the annual San Francisco Pride Parade, one of the largest pride events worldwide.

San Francisco also has a rich history of social activism, from the hippie counterculture movement of the 1960s to the rise of Silicon Valley. According to the US Census, 34.1% of the city’s population is foreign-born, contributing to its cosmopolitan and eclectic vibe. 

Los Angeles is also a cultural hub of different ethnicities and backgrounds. The city’s neighborhoods, like Little Tokyo, Glendale, and Koreatown, showcase its multicultural identity.

Los Angeles is best known for its entertainment industry, which has a significant economic and cultural influence, as well as for its role in shaping the fashion and music industry. 

The city hosts several cultural festivals throughout the year, including the Los Angeles Film Festival, the Day of the Dead celebration in Olvera Street, and the LA Korean Festival.

Geography & Landscape

Although SF and LA are both big cities, their geographic size is incomparable. SF covers roughly 50 square miles, while LA covers approximately 500 square miles! And the entire Bay Area is nearly 7,000 square miles.

San Francisco has a remarkable skyline featuring skyscrapers against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, bay connecting bridges, and the city’s famous hills. For stunning panoramic views of the city and the Bay, head to Russian Hill or Nob Hill. Moreover, stroll through Golden Gate Park, an expansive 1,017-acre nature oasis in the middle of a metropolis.

Mountain ranges and miles of coastline surround Los Angeles. Most buildings only rise up a few floors, except the taller downtown skyscrapers. The surrounding Santa Monica Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains offer residents and travelers a reprieve from city life to enjoy outdoor activities. Meanwhile, Griffith Park is a must-see overlooking the city and the Hollywood Sign. 

Nightlife

Rave culture is epic in both cities. It’s where I fell in love with EDM & techno, danced my heart out, and met the best friends I’ve ever had. Los Angeles does have a bigger underground scene compared to SF. 

Other than hardcore parties, bars, live music, burlesque shows, remote desert renegades, and nightclubs galore. Anything you want, you can find, at all hours if you look hard enough.

Popular San Francisco Party Areas: 

• Mission District (Bars & Nightclubs)
• 11th Street (Clubs)
• Castro District (LGBTQ+ Bars & Clubs)
• Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (Biggest Name DJ Shows)
• Haight (Artsy)

Popular Los Angeles Party Areas: 

• WeHo, aka West Hollywood (LGBTQ+ Bars & Clubs)
• Venice Beach (Open-Air Bars & Chiller Lounges)
• DTLA (Literally Everything)
• Warehouse Area near Skidrow (Underground Raves & Afterparties)
• Mansion Parties (for the rich & the famous, or the lucky)
• Koreatown (Karaoke Bars)

Crime & Safety: Is SF or LA safer?

According to recent crime statistics, San Francisco and Los Angeles have higher crime rates than the national average. While both cities continue to make strides in reducing crime rates, they continue to struggle.

Theft is a huge problem in SF. I’ve heard of car theft being so common nowadays that people leave their trunks open to save from paying for a broken window. San Francisco also has a higher violent crime rate than LA (neighborhood-dependent).

Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in San Francisco:

• Tenderloin District
• Hunters Point
• Mission District
• South of Market SOMA

Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Los Angeles:

• DTLA
• West Adams
• Warehouse District/Skid Row
• Compton
• North Hollywood

Which city has more homeless San Francisco or Los Angeles?

Both cities struggle with a large homeless population, with San Francisco at 38,000 individuals on a given night vs 42,000 in LA. But if you were to look at this per capita, San Francisco has much more homeless comparatively. Its high cost of living and income inequality contribute to the city’s homelessness problem. 

Is San Francisco cleaner than Los Angeles?

Both cities have clean and well-maintained neighborhoods, as well as neighborhoods that are more run-down and in need of attention. However, San Francisco has faced controversy in recent years due to its issues with rising homelessness and the associated street litter. 

San Francisco: Best Things To Do

√ Golden Gate Bridge & Lands End

Lands End is a beautiful coastal park located on the northwest corner of San Francisco. The park has stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin Headlands. Several walking trails lead you through the park’s terrain, including one to the ruins of the Sutro Baths, a historic swimming pool complex destroyed by fire in 1966.

👉 Pack up to set sail around the San Francisco Bay past Alcatraz Island and under the Golden Gate Bridge by joining this Sunset Catamaran Tour

√ Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is one of the largest parks in the United States, spanning over 1,000 acres. The park has a variety of activities to do, including walking and biking trails, lakes, museums, and gardens. 

Highlights of the park include the Japanese Tea Garden, de Young Museum, the Conservatory of Flowers, and the California Academy of Sciences. Throughout the park, you will find tranquil spots to relax, feed the ducks, and enjoy the views, including a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

👉Join this Golden Gate Park Segway Tour because it is too big to walk the whole thing

√ Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island had been on my bucket list for years. A short ferry ride away, this island is home to the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, which operated from 1934 to 1963 and housed some of the most dangerous criminals in American history. 

Nowadays, visitors can explore the island and take a self-guided audio tour of the prison. The tour takes you through the cells and other areas of the prison, while providing an immersive and informative look at the lives of the prisoners, followed by the Native American demonstrations.

👉Sign up for this combination Alcatraz Island and SF city excursion tour!

√ Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is a beautifully designed architectural masterpiece constructed in 1915. Today, it remains a top-rated tourist attraction and one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks. 

The palace boasts a stunning, Greco-Roman-inspired structure with a rotunda, colonnades, lagoons, gardens, and a reflective lagoon that beautifully mirrors the white colonnades. It is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped park, walking trails, and the most expensive houses in the city.

👉Ride your own cute little GoCar on this San Francisco City Highlights Tour!

Los Angeles: Best Things To Do

√ Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory is an iconic LA landmark featured in many movies and TV shows. Explore the museum’s interactive exhibits and telescopes or attend a planetarium show. The observatory sits on the highest point of Griffith Park and has spectacular city views.

👉Hike the Hollywood Sign on this Walking Tour, one of the most iconic things to do in LA

√ Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier is a historic landmark that is over 100 years old. Right over the Pacific, the pier contains an amusement park, aquarium, restaurants, and shops. Catch a sunset or listen to live music at its many free events.

👉Join this full-say Iconic Sights of LA, including sunny beaches, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Griffith Park. Basically, all the places I bring friends when they come to visit me.

√ Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park and working film studio in the San Fernando Valley. Take behind-the-scenes studio tours, ride thrilling attractions, and see live shows featuring their favorite movies and TV shows. The theme park is an excellent option for families or anyone looking for a fun day out. Ticket prices start at $109 per person.

👉 Buy your Universal Studios ticket here. Or if you’re looking to skip the lines, get this one

Final Thoughts: Should You Visit Los Angeles or San Francisco?

It’s hard to pick a clear winner between Los Angeles vs San Francisco, two of the most iconic cities on the West Coast of the United States. I personally vibe with the City of Angels way more, but to each their own.

If you’re looking for a laid-back vibe, a cooler climate, and a love for art scenes & food experiences, San Francisco is perfect for you. But if you want to peek into the glamorous lifestyle, people watch on the beach, and feel the excitement of being in the hub of the entertainment industry, then head on out to sunny Los Angeles!