[sole cal]

I live in L.A. but Ill have to say SF for a tourist place with better public transportation.

[sleepyx637]

Originally Posted by McMuffin

Dude I lived in the Bay area on and off for four years. To me it just doesn't compare to LA. We have a lot more to offer here especially for tourist.

if OP wants to visit amusement parks, then okay, LA is the answer. but sounds like OP wants to do some shopping, walking around, see the city, eat some good food, etc. if he stays in downtown LA, he'll have to travel everywhere to see what he wants (versus simply walking/BARTing around downtown SF). have you every tried to take public transportation around LA at night? or from somewhere in LA county to your hotel in downtown LA? i'd venture to say that most of us who grew up here in LA have not. the less stressful/more fun place to visit without a car is DEFINITELY sf.

[shragon]

san francisco (when you're here, don't say san fran. nobody here says that). san francisco has a lot more to offer in terms of sight seeing.

sushi: sushi bistro (http://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-bistro-san-francisco)

kobe beef: not sure.

hopefully some of the bay area guys will contribute to this thread.

[McMuffin]

Originally Posted by sleepyx637

if OP wants to visit amusement parks, then okay, LA is the answer. but sounds like OP wants to do some shopping, walking around, see the city, eat some good food, etc. if he stays in downtown LA, he'll have to travel everywhere to see what he wants (versus simply walking/BARTing around downtown SF). have you every tried to take public transportation around LA at night? or from somewhere in LA county to your hotel in downtown LA? i'd venture to say that most of us who grew up here in LA have not. the less stressful/more fun place to visit without a car is DEFINITELY sf.

Actually I have. I've stayed at the Biltmore (Beautiful Hotel OP) and traveled to Long Beach via Blue line late at night. No, big deal. There is, also Little Tokyo in Downtown and the Edison Bar which is my favorite bar / lounge spot in LA County. http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-edison-los-angeles

[sleepyx637]

Originally Posted by McMuffin

Actually I have. I've stayed at the Biltmore (Beautiful Hotel OP) and traveled to Long Beach via Blue line late at night. No, big deal. There is, also Little Tokyo in Downtown and the Edison Bar which is my favorite bar / lounge spot in LA County. http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-edison-los-angeles

LOL, please. I work in downtown. The only places to go at night are the two you mentioned, and maybe L.A. Live. I would not call ANY of those places tourist attractions. Remember OP's visiting from Canada, not San Diego. To make it a worthwhile trip, it's gotta be SF.

[justakid88]

sushi go go sushi in pasadena i love that place.
sales and night life paseo at pasadena
and its not that bad ive taken the bus b4
burbank just not sure of sushi places there
and sight seeing u can see the hollywood sign lol i dont know why people like to see it tho
disneyland is always cool same with universal

ive been to the bay area alot before
good food close to the pier. and ofcourse there bridge
its just realllyy cold there.
i like that cold weather tho. means snowboarding season

Originally Posted by J2d

Hey, just thought i'd ask which do you think would better for someone that hasn't seen either or?

I'm looking for good food ( all types ) definetely at least one good sushi meal, perhaps some wagyu beef, and other then that i'm open to anything.

A bit of sight seeing, and a bit of shopping...( sale season? ) walking around.. if we do night life.. it's more of a cafe/lounge thing not clubs.

Transportation mainly by bus/subway, I will rent a car if it's a must, but prefer not to.

My budget for food is about 50 a person per meal.. roughly.. give or take 1 or 2 expensive dinners.

I will be there for 4 days.

Which do you guys recommend?

If I go to San Fran im probably going to stay around Union Square, in LA i have no prefernce as of yet..

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

[McMuffin]

Originally Posted by sleepyx637

LOL, please. I work in downtown. The only places to go at night are the two you mentioned, and maybe L.A. Live. I would not call ANY of those places tourist attractions. Remember OP's visiting from Canada, not San Diego. To make it a worthwhile trip, it's gotta be SF.

Dude you read my other posts, you're making it seem like I'm telling him to come to LA just to visit those two places. Also, you must not get out much cuz there's a ton of stuff to do in downtown at night.

[SoCali E36]

go to san diego

[bsamoul]

My vote is SF because everything is pretty much within walking distance, if you need to you can jump on MUNI and go anywhere in the city (provided they don't run stop signs and hit trucks), or you can rent a car for a day and visit Napa for wine tasting/tours.

Or you can hop on BART and go to Oakland and get shot

[holson]

if you dont wanna drive - SF hands down - maybe just rent a car for a day or ttwo and drive down to carmel by the sea/pebble beach.

just moved to the west coast 3 wks ago and im settled in the irvine/newport beach area. The beaches here are pretty awesome in winter: not too crowded

im planning on visitin SF and stayin at night at carmel myself.

ps. the roads in the greater bay area are pretty darn nice I think. People drive fast (speed limits are high-ish) and there's lots of turns and elevation changes. I know it's normal for all of you but coming from the northeast it's quite fascinating

[MaxBoost335]

Lived in both cities and in Socal currently, SF is beautiful with great shopping and food. On the other hand, LA has so much more to offer in entertainment, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hollywood/Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica / Venice / Newport Beach, watch a TV show taping like Conan O'Brian/Jay Leno show or go Skiing at nearby mountain high, or head down to San Diego or even go watch a Lakers game. I'd say rent a car with GPS and and have a blast, there is so much to see and do in LA if you've never been there.

[sleepyx637]

Originally Posted by McMuffin

Dude you read my other posts, you're making it seem like I'm telling him to come to LA just to visit those two places. Also, you must not get out much cuz there's a ton of stuff to do in downtown at night.

Say you moved to canada. Would you, one day out of the blue, all of a sudden think "oh shiz! i want to spend my vacation by going back to downtown LA!"? I'm not saying there's nothing to do, but downtown LA is one of the deadest parts of LA at night (save for the standard, edison, a few other lounges and restaurants)...but point being, there's nothing special here the OP probably doesnt have at home.

Originally Posted by MaxBoost335

Lived in both cities and in Socal currently, SF is beautiful with great shopping and food. On the other hand, LA has so much more to offer in entertainment, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hollywood/Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica / Venice / Newport Beach, watch a TV show taping like Conan O'Brian/Jay Leno show or go Skiing at nearby mountain high, or head down to San Diego or even go watch a Lakers game. I'd say rent a car with GPS and and have a blast, there is so much to see and do in LA if you've never been there.

I'll agree with this ^^^ (except if you're going to rent a car, go to sf instead and drive to tahoe instead of going to mt high). Only thing is, OP already mentioned public transit, and we all know how bad public transit is in LA.


OP, maybe it'd help if you tell us a little about yourself and who (if anyone) you're coming with (spouse? kids?). That'll help us point you in one direction or another.

[Inspired]

SF..like everyone mentioned, public transportation is a plus.