A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Bern vs. San Francisco for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit New Bern or San Francisco?

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

Should I visit New Bern or San Francisco? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

New Bern

New Bern is a charming, laid back, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See New Bern travel costs.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a quirky, eccentric, and one-of-a-kind coastal city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. The famous beauty of San Francisco is one of the main draws. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking. See San Francisco travel costs.

New Bern and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or San Francisco?

Visitors will usually find more to do in San Francisco than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. San Francisco is better known for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while New Bern is more popular for its small town charm. San Francisco is more touristy than New Bern and is popular for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. Also, San Francisco is famous for The Golden Gate Bridge. New Bern is well known for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in San Francisco that are not to be missed. 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.

New Bern offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

Is New Bern or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a popular place for theatre. However, New Bern is not a theatre destination.

With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in San Francisco. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

New Bern is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

New Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

Is New Bern or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

San Francisco is a popular place for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

San Francisco has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Is New Bern or San Francisco Better for Music?

San Francisco is a popular place for live music. However, New Bern 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.

New Bern is not a live music destination.

Is New Bern or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is well known for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

San Francisco is considered a top beach destination. 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.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is New Bern or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern 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.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or San Francisco?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

San Francisco is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is New Bern or San Francisco More Beautiful?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of San Francisco is one of the main draws. With its dramatic Golden Gate Bridge, and the many beautiful hills with striking views of the city and bay, San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States.

New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Bern or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, San Francisco is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is New Bern or San Francisco Better for Couples?

San Francisco is well known for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit San Francisco frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

Is New Bern or San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Francisco is well known for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

New Bern is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not popular with backpackers in part because it's a small town that most people breeze through on their way to the beach.

Is New Bern or San Francisco Better for Students?

San Francisco is well known for students. However, New Bern 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.

New Bern is not popular with students.

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

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

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 quite limited in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Is New Bern or San Francisco a more walkable city?

San Francisco is well known for its walkability. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

San Francisco is very walkable. 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.

New Bern is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or San Francisco?

Both New Bern 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 New Bern. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for New Bern, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.

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

Even though New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

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.

A weekend in New Bern or San Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Bern. 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 New Bern or San Francisco?

New Bern is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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.

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 New Bern or San Francisco?

New Bern is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, New Bern or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern 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 New Bern 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 New Bern or San Francisco in the Summer?

Both San Francisco and New Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, 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.

In July, New Bern is generally much warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 80°F (27°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or San Francisco in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and San Francisco. Many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, 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.

New Bern is around the same temperature as San Francisco in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, New Bern usually receives more rain than San Francisco. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or San Francisco in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as San Francisco. Most visitors come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In the winter, New Bern is much colder than San Francisco. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Bern in January average around 44°F (7°C), and San Francisco averages at about 50°F (10°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets more rain in January than San Francisco. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or San Francisco in the Spring?

Both San Francisco and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.

In April, New Bern is generally a little warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 62°F (16°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, New Bern usually receives more rain than San Francisco. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and New Bern