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

Should you visit San Francisco or Halifax?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Francisco or Halifax, 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 scenic, beautiful, and outdoorsy coastal city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. San Francisco is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and beaches. See San Francisco travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Halifax travel costs.

San Francisco and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Francisco or Halifax?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Francisco than Halifax. San Francisco is bigger than Halifax, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Francisco is more touristy than Halifax and is known 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. Halifax is well known for its maritime past.

How is San Francisco different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Halifax 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 Halifax?

San Francisco is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit San Francisco from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Halifax offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is San Francisco or Halifax Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a nice place to visit for theatre. However, Halifax is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in San Francisco. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Halifax is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, San Francisco is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Halifax. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is San Francisco or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both San Francisco and Halifax.

If you're looking for night time activities San Francisco has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Halifax. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is San Francisco or Halifax Better for Music?

San Francisco is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Halifax is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep San Francisco active and fun. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Halifax is not a live music destination.

Is San Francisco or Halifax Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Halifax is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in San Francisco. 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.

Halifax is not a beach destination.

Is San Francisco or Halifax Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Halifax is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, San Francisco draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Halifax is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Francisco or Halifax?

San Francisco is renowned for shopping. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in San Francisco. 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.

Halifax offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is San Francisco or Halifax More Beautiful?

San Francisco is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Halifax is not a destination known for its beauty.

San Francisco is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. 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.

Halifax is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is San Francisco or Halifax Better for Families?

San Francisco is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Halifax. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is San Francisco or Halifax Better for Couples?

San Francisco is a very popular place for romance. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

San Francisco makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Halifax makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

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

San Francisco is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

San Francisco is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Halifax is a good coastal city to visit for backpackers. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is San Francisco or Halifax Better for Students?

San Francisco is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Halifax is not popular with students.

San Francisco is a great coastal city to visit as a student. 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.

Halifax is not popular with students.

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

San Francisco is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

San Francisco has a great public transit system. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

You'll find some public transit in Halifax, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

Is San Francisco or Halifax a more walkable city?

San Francisco is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Halifax is a somewhat walkable place. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Halifax or San Francisco?

How long in San Francisco or Halifax?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Francisco and Halifax. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than in Halifax. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for San Francisco, and 2-3 days is enough time in Halifax.

Families should spend more time in San Francisco than Halifax. 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 Halifax. 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 Halifax 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 Halifax?

Because San Francisco is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Halifax. 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.

A weekend in San Francisco or Halifax?

Because San Francisco is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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

San Francisco is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Francisco has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Halifax. This city 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 Halifax?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Francisco. Because San Francisco is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Halifax. 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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.

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

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 Halifax Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Francisco or Halifax?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Halifax. When comparing the sizes of San Francisco and Halifax, 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 Halifax?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit San Francisco or Halifax in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Francisco and Halifax. The summer months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Halifax this time of year.

In the summer, San Francisco is around the same temperature as Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Francisco in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In July, San Francisco usually receives less rain than Halifax. San Francisco gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Francisco or Halifax in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Francisco as well as Halifax. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Halifax for the shopping scene.

In October, San Francisco is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in San Francisco average around 63°F (17°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Halifax. San Francisco usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. San Francisco gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Francisco or Halifax in the Winter?

Both Halifax and San Francisco are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Halifax in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Halifax can get quite cold in the winter. San Francisco is much warmer than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in San Francisco averages around 50°F (10°C) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In January, San Francisco usually receives less rain than Halifax. San Francisco gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Francisco or Halifax in the Spring?

Both Halifax and San Francisco during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to San Francisco in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Halifax can be very cold during spring. In the spring, San Francisco is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Francisco in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. San Francisco usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. San Francisco gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Halifax and San Francisco