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

Should you visit San Francisco or Whistler?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Francisco or Whistler, 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 quirky, eccentric, and one-of-a-kind coastal city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty in San Francisco as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See San Francisco travel costs.

Whistler

Whistler is a charming, adventurous, and outdoorsy village. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Whistler attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Whistler travel costs.

San Francisco and Whistler: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Francisco or Whistler?

Visitors will usually find more to do in San Francisco than Whistler, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. San Francisco is better known for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, music, beaches, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Whistler is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, and small town charm. San Francisco is well 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. Whistler is well known for its world renowned skiing and snowboarding.

How is San Francisco different from Whistler?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is San Francisco or Whistler Better for Skiing?

Whistler is an amazing village to visit for skiing. However, San Francisco is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Whistler is among the best in the world. Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America. It covers a vast area that includes two peaks - Whistler and Blackcomb. The slopes are connected by lifts and gondolas and there are options for every level, from beginner to expert.

San Francisco is not a skiing destination.

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

San Francisco is renowned for its sights and museums. However, Whistler is not a good village for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Whistler specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There is a local museum where you can learn about the areas culture and heritage.

Is San Francisco or Whistler Better for Theater?

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

San Francisco offers a number of shows and performances. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Whistler is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Whistler is not as famous, but is still a good village to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Whistler has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many great restaurants and pubs that serve local dishes like Whistler herring, meatloaf, and Artic char fish. There are casual eateries as well as fine dining with upscale cuisine.

Is San Francisco or Whistler Better for Nightlife?

Whistler is a great village for its evening party scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Whistler has something for everybody. After a day on the slopes, you can enjoy the lively nightlife that includes après ski bars, nightclubs, and late night parties.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Is San Francisco or Whistler Better for Music?

San Francisco is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Whistler 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.

Whistler is not a live music destination.

Is San Francisco or Whistler Better for Resorts?

Whistler is a great village for its luxury resorts. However, San Francisco is not a resort destination.

Whistler is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There's a large selection of resorts that you can choose from. Many have pools and hot tubs and range from romantic to family-friendly.

San Francisco is not a resort destination.

Is San Francisco or Whistler Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Whistler 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.

Whistler is not a beach destination.

Is San Francisco or Whistler Better for Hiking?

San Francisco and Whistler are both places where visitors can find amazing hiking trails.

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.

Around Whistler visitors will find world-class hiking trails. During the warmer seasons there are miles of hiking trails that take you through both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Many trails are accessible by gondola and you'll find great views and stunning vistas. Trails range from short family-friendly options to strenuous and adventurous routes.

Is the Shopping Better in San Francisco or Whistler?

San Francisco is renowned for shopping. Also, Whistler is not as famous, but is still a good village to visit 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 Whistler. The village offers great shopping where you can pick up local items or any ski gear you may have forgotten.

Is San Francisco or Whistler More Beautiful?

San Francisco is renowned for its scenery and beauty. Also, Whistler is not as famous, but is still a good village to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in San Francisco as well. 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.

The beauty of Whistler is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The town sits in a valley that is surrounded by stunning mountains and impressive glaciers.

Is San Francisco or Whistler Better for Families?

San Francisco and Whistler are both amazing destinations for the whole family.

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.

Whistler is an extremely popular coastal city to visit for families. Kids will love the winter activities like skiing, dog sledding, and bobsledding. There's also an ice skating rink, climbing gym, and tons of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is San Francisco or Whistler Better for Couples?

San Francisco and Whistler are both superb to visit as a couple.

San Francisco is a great coastal city if you're traveling as 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.

Whistler is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy an adventure will love the year-round outdoor sports. There are also romantic spas, fine dining, and scenic gondola rides.

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

For backpackers, both San Francisco and Whistler are superb places to visit.

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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Whistler. There are several hostels in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is San Francisco or Whistler Better for Students?

San Francisco is a well-known place for students. However, Whistler 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.

Whistler is not popular with students.

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

San Francisco is renowned for its public transit. However, Whistler is not a good village for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Whistler. There's a bus system that connects the town to other nearby neighborhoods.

Is San Francisco or Whistler a more walkable city?

San Francisco and Whistler are superb when it comes to 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.

Whistler is very walkable. It's a compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Whistler or San Francisco?

How long in San Francisco or Whistler?

In either San Francisco or Whistler, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than Whistler because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for San Francisco, and 3-5 days is enough time in Whistler.

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

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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the charming destination of Whistler. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Whistler?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Whistler. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in San Francisco or Whistler?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Whistler. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This village offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in San Francisco or Whistler?

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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the beautiful village of Whistler. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

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

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 Whistler Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Francisco or Whistler?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of San Francisco and Whistler, 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 Whistler?

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 San Francisco or Whistler in the Summer?

Both Whistler and San Francisco during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Whistler this time of year.

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

San Francisco usually gets less rain in July than Whistler. San Francisco gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Francisco or Whistler in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Francisco and Whistler. 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 Whistler for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, San Francisco is generally much warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in San Francisco average around 63°F (17°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, San Francisco usually receives less rain than Whistler. San Francisco gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Francisco or Whistler in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Francisco as well as Whistler. Many travelers come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Whistler in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Whistler can get quite cold in the winter. San Francisco is much warmer than Whistler in the winter. The daily temperature in San Francisco averages around 50°F (10°C) in January, and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

It's quite rainy in Whistler. San Francisco usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. San Francisco gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Francisco or Whistler in the Spring?

Both Whistler and San Francisco are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to San Francisco in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Whistler for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, San Francisco is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Francisco in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Whistler averages at about 9°C (49°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In April, San Francisco usually receives less rain than Whistler. San Francisco gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Whistler and San Francisco