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

Should you visit San Francisco or Ottawa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Francisco or Ottawa, 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 outdoorsy, quirky, and eccentric coastal city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. San Francisco is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and beaches. See San Francisco travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Ottawa travel costs.

San Francisco and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Francisco or Ottawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Francisco. Although San Francisco and Ottawa are popular destinations, San Francisco has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Francisco is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. It is also well known for The Golden Gate Bridge. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is San Francisco different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

San Francisco is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Many visitors head to Ottawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

Is San Francisco or Ottawa Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Ottawa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Is San Francisco or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

San Francisco is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

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.

Ottawa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

Is San Francisco or Ottawa Better for Music?

San Francisco is a popular place for its music scene. However, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Is San Francisco or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is a very popular place for the beach. However, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is San Francisco or Ottawa Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Francisco or Ottawa?

San Francisco is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

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.

Ottawa is a great destination for shopping. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is San Francisco or Ottawa More Beautiful?

San Francisco is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is San Francisco or Ottawa Better for Families?

San Francisco is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ottawa. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

Is San Francisco or Ottawa Better for Couples?

San Francisco is a very popular place for couples. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

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

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

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.

Ottawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is San Francisco or Ottawa Better for Students?

San Francisco is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Ottawa is popular with students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

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

San Francisco is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Ottawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is San Francisco or Ottawa a more walkable city?

San Francisco is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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.

Ottawa is somewhat walkable. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or San Francisco?

How long in San Francisco or Ottawa?

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

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

San Francisco is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the cultural destination of Ottawa. 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 Ottawa?

San Francisco is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Francisco. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Ottawa. 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 Ottawa?

San Francisco is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and food around the city of Ottawa. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

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

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 Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Francisco or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of San Francisco. When comparing the sizes of San Francisco and Ottawa, 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 Ottawa?

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 Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Francisco and Ottawa. 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. Also, most visitors come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

San Francisco is cooler than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in San Francisco averages around 63°F (17°C) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

In July, San Francisco usually receives less rain than Ottawa. San Francisco gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Francisco or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Francisco as well as Ottawa. 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, San Francisco is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Francisco in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

San Francisco usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. San Francisco gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Francisco or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and San Francisco are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

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