Where to visit, San Fran or LA? (Los Angeles, San Francisco: to rent, house)

[JordanCarlson13]

Where to visit, San Fran or LA?

Planning on a trip to California, deciding on either San Francisco or LA. Neither of us have been to California. We want to have cool sight seeing, and have lots of things to do. The weather doesn't really matter, as long as it's warm.

I have read that in San Fran you don't really need to rent a car, Rather in LA traffic is so congested and annoying.

Basically, looking for a city that has a ton of fun things to do/see for a vacation.

[NewToCA]

Both are fine in very different ways, but at the time of year you'll be visiting the weather in LA will be much nicer than SF.

If you want the typical California experience I'd probably go with metro LA, especially in January. San Francisco is my favorite CA city, but they really don't have the beach type of environment you'd probably like.

[theraven24]

You'll have fun in either city.

[gizmo980]

I'm obviously biased towards SF, but if you're looking for the stereotypical version of California, LA would be the more logical choice... San Francisco has more of a "European/urban" vibe, while LA has the whole beach-y surfer and Hollywood vibe. San Francisco has beautiful beaches, but they're COLD (not by MN standards), and not really conducive to sunbathing or swimming. The views are amazing, though, and I personally prefer our chillier weather to LA's constant heat. Anyway, that's the most basic comparison, but we'd need to know what you two like doing before getting more specific.

Good luck with the proposal, btw! Lots of nice spots to do that both here & in LA... if I were being proposed to, I'd swoon if it were done somewhere like the Cliff House or Golden Gate bridge.

[chuckmann]

In SF I would recommend a walking tour of North Beach. If you can find Napier "Street" its a fine if tough hike. Walking Chinatown is interesting. A walk along the Embarcadero can be fun, if only for the people watching. Pier 39 and past the Ferry Building to as far as you are comfortable. Get out to Fort Point. And DO NOT FORGET to take a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. You'll need a car for this one, but take the drive up to the top of road along the Marin Headlands, then continue down towards the lighthouse and experience a view that is guaranteed to knock your socks off!!!!

LA, IIRC, has a number of interesting locals, including the Watts Tower and the Bradbury Building. I can recall a particularly picturesque bridge somewhere, but it has been so many years I have no way of knowing where it is. The Griffith Park Observatory, which you may know as the opening scene of the original Terminator movie (Take off your clothes and give them to me!). I've shot a number of interesting murals in Burbank, of all places.

AS others have said, chances are the weather will be better in LA, but in these days of drought, who can predict?

[sacite]

Not sure LA is typical CA experience. Most.people with a Television set are well aware of SF. Hell, it is known worldwide. I would pick SF because there are so many spectacular romantic views (try Diamond Heights), so much nostalgia and history. Seems like the perfect place to propose, honestly. Plus being a visitor your likelihood of getting lost or confused is far less in a tiny city like SF. I actually like a lot of what LA has to offer, but it is mamoth. And it has no true urban core.

Good luck either way and hope she says yes!

[Adriatica]

Places to propose:

Los Angeles
Any beach at sunset--Malibu or Santa Monica would be nice
Any ocean-view restaurant, like Geoffrey's in Malibu
Griffith Observatory
The Getty Center

San Francisco
Fort Point, with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge
Baker Beach
A restaurant with a city view, like Top of the Mark
Golden Gate Park has lots of nice options
Top of Coit Tower

SF will be chilly in January, so keep that in mind for any outdoor plans.

[ccm123]

I would visit both, if possible! Both are major California cities, but so different and so much to see and do in both places!

Have a great trip!

[JGC97]

That time of year, I'd try to squeeze in a whale watching adventure. The gray whales migrate between October and January. Either place you choose will have plenty of things to see and do. Have fun

[JordanCarlson13]

Thanks for all the great responses! It gives me a lot to think about, upon more research and definitely the responses on here, I'm leaning more towards SF
Thanks again!