San Francisco vs. San Diego
 

We are a family of 4 from New Zealand with two daughters, 9 and 11. We are planning our first trip to the states. The girls want to go to Disneyland and my husband wants to mountain bike around Lake Forest. Which will take up the first 4 or so days. Then would we be best to head up the coast to San Francisco and visit Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge or do we head towards San Diego visiting places like Newport and the San Diego Safari park? We would have approx 4-5 days for this part of the holiday before stopping in Hawaii on our way home.

These both are two different types of vacations as you have noted, so it kind of depends on what you are looking for. Neither one is really "better" than the other b/c they have different things to offer, but I think San Diego would be more fun b/c it's more of a party town than SF.
SF is a beautiful city with amazing scenery and some great landmarks and buildings. SF is basically a sight seeing type of vacation and checking out the architecture, museums,landmarks, culture, ect.. SD has all those things too but SF's are more impressive.

Believe me, that depends GREATLY on what kind of "party" you like.

While we still love "Bagdhad by the Bay" - think the kids would much prefer San Diego - and the Zoo/Safari Park, SeaWorld, an hour or so from Disneyland, etc.

Also check out Julian - for bicycling, and lots of fun things to do at about 4,000 feet and an hour from San Diego. Apple Pie to die for, old mines to explore, and on and on. https://www.google.com/search?q=juli...g&ved=0CD0QsAQ

With kids that age, head to San Diego. You will have the zoo, wild animal park, Seaworld, beaches. Fits in easier with Disneyland. What time of year?

What time of year? I would opt for San Diego with children those ages - as Michelle noted you can do a number of different things and also get to Disneyland.

I much prefer Northern California . . . But in your situation I'd do San Diego. There is a LOT of things for the kids and it is MUCH closer/more convenient to Orange County. As long as you can fly to Hawaii out of SoCal and haven't already booked a flight out of San Francisco.

You just don't have enough time to explore the great places on the coast (Big Sur, Redwoods, Carmel, Monterey Bay Aquarium etc. plus time IN SF)

Since you are going to Hawaii, I'd recommend San Francisco. But you only have 4-5 days? Maybe you should stay in one place for that short amount of time. Choose LA, San Diego or San Francisco and you will have plenty to do for those days.

I agree with Tabernash that given the other things you are doing on the trip, the coast up to SF would be my choice as well - BUT - with only 4-5 days, this would be rushed. Would you consider flying up to SF? The flight is only about an hour and Southwest has inexpensive airfare. You'd miss the great CA coastline, but you'd have several days in SF, which would make for a nice visit.

As an alternative, if you wanted to include the coastal drive and don't mind a rushed trip, you could do this:

Day 1: LA to Pismo Beach
Day 2: Pismo Beach to Monterey or Santa Cruz - through the Big Sur coast
Day 3: In Monterey or Santa Cruz
Day 4: Morning drive to SF, afternoon in SF
Day 5: SF

I'm please to see you plan to do either San Diego OR San Francisco and not insist on doing both..............

What do your kids want to do? Since you're already going to do Hawaii, San Francisco would give your trip a bit more variety. There is plenty to do for kids in San Francisco~the Exploratorium, the matinee of Beach Blanket Babylon, riding a cable car, and a walk down Lombard Street (these are things my daughter enjoyed).

You really can't go wrong with either choice!

Thank you everyone for your advice. We will be heading over around June 2015 so plenty of time to decide and we may decide to add another week and go to both places yet. It's a hard choice as I think I would prefer SF but the kids would prefer SD.

You might research weather in June. They call it "June gloom", which may alter your plans regarding driving up the coast.

Actually, I think they only call it June Gloom in southern CA. They have May Grey as well. I think Southern Californians just like things that rhyme :) In northern CA we just call it summer. But coastal fog is a factor all along the CA coast. It generally manifests itself as overcast skies in the morning that burn off mid-day and return late afternoon or evening. It keeps temperatures cool, but doesn't really impact sightseeing or anything. This isn't a ground-level pea soup fog.

Yes, add another week and do it all! You have come this far so enjoy!

I think we will pick out all the activities we really want to do and see if the majority are SF or SD and make the decision that way (or save a little harder and do both!). Thanks Tomsd for your suggestion of Julian, it looks fantastic.

We loved SF and it has such a colorful history - but the living is definitely better in San Diego :)

Here are some other things to do in San Diego - and the Marine layer/aka fog - usually burns off by mid-morning - or if it's particularly heavy one day - just head inland to do fun things in the sun.

http://www.smartdestinations.com/san...FQqCfgod_GAAcA

sherylflexman:

Add another 5 days if you can after coming that far and do both. If not possible I would choose San Diego

Go to http://www.sandiego.org for lots of information.

Start another thread once you decide if you need help with picking a hotel etc.

Sandy

Here are my ideas for stuff to do in/around San Francisco:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

>> but the living is definitely better in San Diego <<

My opinion is just the opposite.

Stu Dudley

If you can add 5-7 days you can do it all. Otherwise SD makes most sense. (I'd REALLY try to add the extra time)