San Francisco vs. San Diego
#21
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#22
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As someone from the East Coast who has been to both places many times, SF is more interesting place to visit and if I had to live in CA, it would be in the Bay Area. SF is a great walking city, with wonderful residential architecture, better museums, better restaurants, a quirky population and spectacular vistas.
SD has more outdoorsy things to do and if you like that than SD is for you. But why travel 7,000 miles to do what you can do at home?
SD has more outdoorsy things to do and if you like that than SD is for you. But why travel 7,000 miles to do what you can do at home?
#23
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If you can add time to your trip, both destinations are spectacular. Otherwise, it could be true that San Francisco is a world-class city, and offers the most contrast to what you might be used to.
#24
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That's simplistic. San Diego has beaches and pleasant weather that Kiwis would not normally get at home.
Considering the kids and their ages, I'd choose San Diego. If they were each about 5-7 years older and you still had one choice, then it's at least a coin flip.
That's simplistic. San Diego has beaches and pleasant weather that Kiwis would not normally get at home.
Considering the kids and their ages, I'd choose San Diego. If they were each about 5-7 years older and you still had one choice, then it's at least a coin flip.
#25
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San Diego is much more fun for the kids. Your kids are at an age where in a few years many of the San Diego attractions will not interest them as much. Can you save San Francisco for your next US adventure? While San Diego has similarities to Hawaii, it is a different type of destination because of the Zoo, SeaWorld, Safari Experience, etc.
San Francisco is the type of trip your husband and you can take, once your kids are in college or off on their own adventures. You can really soak up the city then.
San Francisco is the type of trip your husband and you can take, once your kids are in college or off on their own adventures. You can really soak up the city then.
#26
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By the way, Disneyland is not that close to San Diego. With traffic, it is easily two hour drive each way. Anaheim is where you want to stay if you are doing Disneyland. you will be so exhausted to drive and to see anything else in SD after a day at Disneyland.
#27
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Sorry, I re-read your original post and I see that you are going to Disneyland first and then either to SD or to SF. I understand now. Don't clobber me all at once, Fodorites.
A side note on the Golden Gate Bridge: while the Golden Gate National Recreation area is beautiful, the bridge is still just a bridge. Yes, it is very picturesque in the fog of San Francisco depending on the time of day and the weather. Still, you will have to fly from Anaheim to San Fran, whereas you can drive to San Diego.
A side note on the Golden Gate Bridge: while the Golden Gate National Recreation area is beautiful, the bridge is still just a bridge. Yes, it is very picturesque in the fog of San Francisco depending on the time of day and the weather. Still, you will have to fly from Anaheim to San Fran, whereas you can drive to San Diego.
#28
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Sorry, I re-read your original post and I see that you are going to Disneyland first and then either to SD or to SF. I understand now. Don't clobber me all at once, Fodorites.
A side note on the Golden Gate Bridge: while the Golden Gate National Recreation area is beautiful, the bridge is still just a bridge. Yes, it is very picturesque in the fog of San Francisco depending on the time of day and the weather. Still, you will have to fly from Anaheim to San Fran, whereas you can drive to San Diego.
A side note on the Golden Gate Bridge: while the Golden Gate National Recreation area is beautiful, the bridge is still just a bridge. Yes, it is very picturesque in the fog of San Francisco depending on the time of day and the weather. Still, you will have to fly from Anaheim to San Fran, whereas you can drive to San Diego.
#32
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Thank you all for your very useful information. At this stage I think we will head to San Diego after Anaheim as I think the children would enjoy it more, and we all know if the kids are happy then everyone is happy. We are planning on stopping in Hawaii on the way home as I would like to visit Pearl Harbour and have a few days of relaxation before heading back to reality. Thank you all for your links to attractions etc which I have looked through and added a few things to my "must do" list. I think if we don't get the San Fran this time (still hoping to add another week but will be money dependent)then we will return the following year without the children to go to SF and then to Vegas. This is my first time on a Travel website and I have found it really interesting. I have even added a few comments to people looking to come to NZ. Thanks again and I am sure I will have more questions closer to the time.
#33
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who knew that San Diego was more of a party town than San Francisco! That's news to me, but kids aren't going to be partying anyway. I find San Francisco more attractive but I also agree with the kids, San Diego is probably a better choice for them.