San Francisco vs Vancouver
 

We are two active adults who have 9 days to make a trip from SW Florida to San Francisco or Vancouver, leaving around August 1,2008. We are interested in some comparison comments or suggestions based on the length of time available, travel issues, things to do, expenses and even wild fires
TIA
DG
Fort Myers, Florida

They are both great cities, I'd say with similar amounts of interesting things to see and do, similar size, similar situation on the water, similar prices, etc. Wild fires would not effect you in the city in either location. 9 days is plenty to get a good feel for either one.

We've done both many times, and based on the length of your trip and the time of year, I'd pick Vancouver. The weather is at its best then.

If you actually arrive in Vancouver on August 1st this year, you will be in time for the great fireworks competition finale on August 2nd and it is SPECTACULAR. Each year at the end of July, beginning of August, there is a fireworks competition off the English Bay. This year it's a duke out among China, Canada & USA. Best thing to do is book a hotel around there, or Robson St. and around 5 p.m. just follow the crowds walking towards the Bay. There's lots to do around the English Bay Park -- including good street food.

What else you can do: Granville Island, great hikes in Stanley Park, and even though you are adults, you might want to take in the Vancouver Aquarium. There's also a beach there.

Tons of little districts; great art museum; loads of unique shops and great food.

You can take side trips (overnight, whatever), to Victoria and the San Juan Islands off the coast of Seattle in Washington.

Keep in mind you will need your passports.

Both SF and Vancouver are, imo, very cosmopolitan, almost European in feel and design. SF always has strange weather, cooler, but when you hit the sun, off comes the sweater. I LOVE SF -- in fact we were there in May -- but the weather has always bugged me a bit.

Truly, you can't go wrong here.

Both are great for:

Outdoorsy adventures
Fun city walks
Doable to Get Around Without Car
Good Shopping/Eating opportunities
Beautiful views
Picturesque Beaches
Island Views Like You Won't Believe
Interesting Area Excursions

The cities are not carbon copies though...

Vancouver has temperate rain forest, snow-capped mountains looming, larger % of Asians and is more lush. Entering Canada of course adds an extra step of customs/immigration each way, but I would not let this factor in if all parties have passports.

San Francisco has a Spanish mission, subtly different vegetation, and IMO a more compelling residential architectural style than Van.

However, they're both great...my advice is to just pick one (flipping a coin is as good as anything) and don't look back. Then, next time out west, visit the other city.

I would go at some other time to either city. Both are crowded with tourists in August. Vancouver, especially so, because of all the cruise ships. You must know how that is coming from Florida.

Both cities are more appealing in the fall.

If you do go to Vancouver, try to get over to Vancouver Island. Not just Victoria but go out to Long Beach and the Tofino area. A different kind of ocean from what you are used to.

Whichever you end up choosing, you'll have picked well. DO plan to see the other next year. Both areas are worthy of nine days.

I'll take a stand here.
Go to San Francisco. It's a much better destination than Vancouver.

We've been to both cities twice and 9 days is too much time in either. You only need 3 days in SF and 2 to 2 in Vancouver. But SF has many more things to see outside: Palo Alto, the Sequoias, Napa Valley, or even a trip to Lake Tahoe. In Vancouver you could go to Victoria or the San Juan Islands, even Seattle.

I don't know about Vancouver but 9 days is NOT too long to spend in SF. With that much time, you could really enjoy visiting The City as well as the surrounding Bay Area (wine country, Monterey Bay, Muir Woods/Marin Co. coastline, Berkeley, etc). SF is a perfect home-base for a 9 day vacation.

San Francisco.

I think Barney meant that 9 days is more than you need just for the city. You can definitely find plenty to do in and around San Francisco for 9 days (places outside the city already mentioned above) -- 3 or 4 days IN the city, plus 5 days outside the city would make a great trip.