Travel Destinations

The Best of the Northwest - San Francisco or Seattle?

San Francisco vs. Seattle

pacific northwest
|
By
Ellen
Honey

Waterfront

SAN FRANCISCO

The Presidio offers an iconic waterfront with spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, hiking trails and museums. Explore this former U.S. Army military fort turned recreation epicenter.

SEATTLE

The historic Pike Place Market (home to the original Starbucks) continues it tradition of year-round farmers market featuring specialty foods, crafts and shopping.

Grub

SAN FRANCISCO

Salivate over seafood chowder in sourdough bread bowls at Boudin Bakery or savor the city's eclectic mix of cuisine at stops like La Taqueria and Swan Oyster Depot.

SEATTLE

Encircled by water and loaded with fishermen, restaurants offer fresh and tasty seafood pulled straight from surrounding waters of Puget Sound. Try Elliott's Oyster House and Ray's Boathouse.

Sports

SAN FRANCISCo

Home to the San Francisco Giants, AT&T Park is well-known for not having a bad seat in the house. Grab a Crazy Crab'z Dungeness sandwich, or park your kayak at McCovey Cove and watch the game on the water.

SEATTLE

Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners, features rotisserie-style hot wings by High Cheese Pizza & Wings and bacon wrapped hot dogs at Edgar's Tacos. This ballpark is one for the bucket list.

Hometown Drinks

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco is known for Anchor Brewing Co.'s Anchor Steam Beer. This is the only steamed beer you can buy and is still brewed with the original 1800s method.

SEATTLE

Coffee beans are coddled to their full potential by small-batch roasters like Fonte, Herkimer and Caffe Umbria. Seattle is home to Peet's, Seattle's Best and the ubiquitous Starbuck's.

Tying Up Your Boat

SAN FRANCISCO

Pier 39 Marina is centrally located at Fisherman's Wharf, and San Francisco Marina is located on northern waterfront in the city.

SEATTLE

There are four marinas at the Port of Seattle: Fisherman's Terminal, Harbor Island Marina, Bell Harbor Marina and Shilshole Bay Marina, the sailing center of the Northwest.

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