San Francisco or Seattle?

[Anonymous]

DH and I are tacking a few days onto a work trip to Vancouver/Whistler in August. We are flying out of Vancouver and would prefer a short flight/travel time to our second destination.

We're deciding between San Francisco and Seattle. Seattle is a shorter flight from Vancouver, but San Fran is only about 2 hours away. We've never been to either of these cities. Any preference for one over the other? Neighborhood and hotel recs?

We'd be staying for 2-3 nights. We are not huge sightseers, just like to stay in a great neighborhood and relax vs running around all day. No kids. Where would you go? We're also open to other cities/areas but don't want to spend the majority of our time traveling to get there (i.e. No car rentals).

[Anonymous]

I'm from SF.
I know that Seattle is great (never been there, but know people who have) But as a SF native I'd recommend to visit!
Lots of attractions to visit. The weather is about the same as Seattle. Sometimes gloomy, chilly. But normally nice

I love SF, but it is expensive! Haven't checked hotel rates but it's one of the most expensive cities in the country...so you might want to double check.
There's golden gate bridge to walk on. THere's the beach. There's alcatraz. Pier 39--CLAM CHOWDER SOUP A MUST!!!
And china town, shopping mall and just all around amazing ness. I may be biased here but...I would do some online research!
And there is the Bart. Able to take you anywhere!


ENJOY!!! I miss Cali SO much!

[Anonymous]

My vote is for San Francisco instead of Seattle.

Having been to both, San Franciso has so much more to do and better food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm from SF.
I know that Seattle is great (never been there, but know people who have) But as a SF native I'd recommend to visit!
Lots of attractions to visit. The weather is about the same as Seattle. Sometimes gloomy, chilly. But normally nice

I love SF, but it is expensive! Haven't checked hotel rates but it's one of the most expensive cities in the country...so you might want to double check.
There's golden gate bridge to walk on. THere's the beach. There's alcatraz. Pier 39--CLAM CHOWDER SOUP A MUST!!!
And china town, shopping mall and just all around amazing ness. I may be biased here but...I would do some online research!
And there is the Bart. Able to take you anywhere!

ENJOY!!! I miss Cali SO much!

Did you read the OP's post or just the title? She doesn't want to go sight-seeing. And the beach in SF is too cold to go in the water. Did you really suggest going to the shopping mall? Can't OP get Nordstrom and Bloomingdales where she lives?

[Anonymous]

I would get a place downtown in Seattle. Go to Pike Place market. Lots of great food. Maybe take a ferry boat over to Bainbridge Island and walk around the little "downtown" area and have brunch or lunch. Maybe take in a baseball game at Safeco Field. Go to the Alki Beach and hang out. Run or walk around Greenlake.

August is absolutely perfect weather in Seattle.

[Anonymous]

SF.

[Anonymous]

I'm also from San Francisco. It wins hands down. You can stay in a great neighborhood, walk the city during the day, browse bookstores, grab coffee, and eat the best food. Don't stay in the touristy areas (union square, fishermen a wharf etc) and you'll really get a feel for the city.

(Just don't call it San Fran.) ?

[Anonymous]

I'd go to Seattle, but I've been to both and wasn't a huge fan of SF.

[Anonymous]

San Francisco - less rain

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:San Francisco - less rain

native Seattle-ite here who visits SF a lot of work. Seattle weather in August > San Francisco weather in August.

[Anonymous]

August in Seattle is typically awesome. August in SF is typically socked in by fog and cold. Both have great neighborhoods to hang out in. I would pick Seattle for that time of year and its proximity to Vancouver. Visit coastal California in the fall. And this is from a native Californian.

[Anonymous]

The pro Seattle AND the pro San Fran posts are both right - which means you can't go wrong Personally I'd vote for Seattle simply because I think of it as more distant from the east coast (assuming that is where you live) - I guess meaning that I could see it being more likely that you'd get to San Fran another time (combined with a trip to Napa, to drive PCH down the CA coast, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The pro Seattle AND the pro San Fran posts are both right - which means you can't go wrong Personally I'd vote for Seattle simply because I think of it as more distant from the east coast (assuming that is where you live) - I guess meaning that I could see it being more likely that you'd get to San Fran another time (combined with a trip to Napa, to drive PCH down the CA coast, etc.).

I agree. It sounds like Seattle may be the best bet for this trip. Anyone have neighborhood/hotel recs for Seattle? -OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The pro Seattle AND the pro San Fran posts are both right - which means you can't go wrong Personally I'd vote for Seattle simply because I think of it as more distant from the east coast (assuming that is where you live) - I guess meaning that I could see it being more likely that you'd get to San Fran another time (combined with a trip to Napa, to drive PCH down the CA coast, etc.).

I agree. It sounds like Seattle may be the best bet for this trip. Anyone have neighborhood/hotel recs for Seattle? -OP

Fremont, Ballard, or Queen Anne if you're doing airbnb.

Downtown if you're doing a hotel.

Another vote here for Seattle. I'm going myself in August. Can't wait.

[Anonymous]

Both are great, but Seattle in August is heavenly. We did that one summer and managed to enjoy the city, visit an island, hike Mount Rainier, go whitewater rafting, and go wine tasting. SF is fun, but I personally prefer the scenery around Seattle, have found good food (not like SF but still very good), and think the people are a bit less pleased with themselves.