Sarah Lee

Help we can't decide where to vacation. Our choices are New York or San Francisco. Plz help us in our decisions- Pro's & Cons?

Rudy

Go to New York.
You're welcome.

rrr

Why only those two choices??? Any chance on traveling to areas around or near the two places listed??

Sarah Lee

No.

xxx

It kind of depends on who "we" are, ages, likes, etc. NY has something for everyone. SF is fun but if you've never done NY, go there first.

Lila

New York. More museums and theaters. Public transportation is great. Central Park is lovely.

Get the hotel on Priceline, but check prices on biddingfortravel first.

Sarah

Not been to both only stayed in San Francisco airport hotel.

I live in NYC. I hated this city when I first moved here, inviting winter weather would push me towards SF. Just think there is a very harsh element here. Glad to hear that others find this city welcoming. I do love NY but I find it harsh.

I saw the remains of a woman who lept to her death on Sunday right in my neighborhood on the upper east side. 15 more minutes and I would have witnessed the fall.

Never ever saw this in 20 years of living here but it is hard to recommend NYC against what seems like a milder city.

Sarah

Thanks Dorothy for demonstrating NYC harshness. Sarah Lee if you have been on here regularly you know I have lived in NYC for a long time.

I am being honest about what NYC is in my experience. Maybe I have had my fill at the moment but an intelligent mind can temper what I have said with what they can expect. This is not about attracting the tourist dollar more about giving an honest answer.

kevin

Sarah is correct.
The stereotype holds a kernel of truth.
In GENERAL, New York city residents are more aggressive, more high strung and live more stressful lives than people who live in the Bay Area.

junebug

Sarah, I hear you. This can be a very tough town to live in some times. What a horrible tragedy you witnessed, it's moments like those that make us despair of the city, I know. I've lived here 20+ years and have experienced some terrible moments too. However, that said, I honestly don't think I could live anywhere else! I love to travel and see the world and learn about other cultures, but when I return I always feel a little jump for joy in my heart when I see the Manhattan skyline out the window of the plane. Of course, now that our skyline is so drastically changed it adds another, deeper dimension to my feelings about it. Just remember that New York is like everywhere else, only more so! LOL That's really the way I see it. Bad things happen to people in every city and town on earth, but a lot of good and wonderful things can and do happen here too!

Happy New Year!

Ellen

On the other hand, (and I don't know if I am alone here or not), I am a native NY'er who has over the past few months experienced unbelievably nasty and obnoxious TOURISTS in my hometown. Ex: While walking along 42nd St, I stopped to allow tourists to take a photo. The one posing said 'move along will ya, you moron!'. The next was when I asked a tourist to please (yes I said please) get himself and his tripod off the hood of my car and was told to f*** off. Then there was the one who got out of a stretch limo and told me to get the hell out of her driver's way so they could double park in front of Carnegie Hall. How do I know they were tourists? The cameras, the maps, the accents. And you wonder why NY'ers get harsh! Do you think these people get this way when they land in NY, or are they just plain inconsiderate all the time?

Jack

Sadly, Ellen, it is becoming painfully apparent that the term "polite society" is rapidly becoming an oxymoron.

People in all aspects of our social world in the US seem to be losing their perspective on what role civility and respect are meant to play in life.

It's not just sad.
It's disturbing.

NYGirl

See, you don't even have to leave home to experience the rudeness of others, just post on Fodors!
I have lived in NYC for over 25 years, Happy to say that I have never seen a dead person, falling, landing or otherwise.
I have seen rude people, saw them in Paris too, also in Miami! Man! I hate that! Everytime I go on a trip, one of those rude guys is there too!!
Having lived in both cities, I think that SF is nice for a short time, mild weather is appealing, cost is about the same. It is pretty much a tourist trap though, these days. New York City is (as corny as it sounds) still on of the major Cities of the World, you can't match it and you will definitely find something to do here, and eat here!
So my vote is New York City.Happy New Year!

suzanne

Ellen - I know what you mean. This past summer my boyfriend and I brought a pizza and a blanket down to the pier under the Brooklyn Bridge for a little picnic dinner, something we do often...and a tour bus unloaded and people walked across/stood on our blanket to take pictures. We got lots of photo flashes in the face, and nearly had our dinner and ourselves trampled. It was the biggest display of rudeness I've ever seen. Tourists can make me so mad sometimes!! But I still help them with directions.
;-p

Celine

I would say that you won't be disappointed with either city, I guess it might depend on your budget, or you tastes. San Francisco is a very nice city, lots of beautiful scenery.

Sarah Lee

Thanks for the opinions. We live in Michigan so NY would'nt be too far. I would definitely fly. I was leaning towards San Francisco. Now I'm confused?
We were going in September this year. I bet New York would be more expensive than San Francisco.

Sarah Lee

Oh, I forgot to ask, if we decide on NY which airport should we fly into? Laguardia or JFK? I checked some airfare prices for the heck of it, and JFK was extremely higher than Laguardia!

x

Newark Airport
San Fran might be more expensive.

Chandra

Hey Sarah, Happy New Year from San Francisco. I'm a native of the Bay Area and would love to recommend San Francisco, I always do. But New York's one of those places you have to visit at least once in your lifetime; just to experience it, the people, the food, the sites. It's really one of a kind. Sure, bad things can happen anywhere you go, but if you bring a pleasant disposition I'm sure you'll have a good time in any event.

Sarah

I like Newark, quick and easy train right into Manhattan. I also like laguardia because the cab service is inexpensive and quick to the upper east side.

JFK is not impossible but it can be an absolute zoo at times. Unless you are going to people watch this can be taxing. I have been held up many times here waiting for transport into town. No problems getting in just problems getting home. If JFK is offering the best price that can be worth the trouble but that is usually not the case on trips I have taken.

One last thing, September is my favorite time of year in NYC. You have the great weather and less crowds to contend with.

About your confusion that is part and parcel for travel planning. I have been to Kauai about 10 times now going every August. I am still thinking north part of the island south part of the island?