Summary
Oakland offers a less crowded, bike-friendly experience with diverse culture and nightlife.
San Jose provides a family-friendly atmosphere, affordability, and safety, with a lower population density.
Berkeley offers a laid-back, healthy lifestyle with vibrant shopping and nightlife scenes.
San Francisco is one of the most vibrant cities in the US, with a lot to offer. San Francisco’s beautiful beaches, from La Jolla to Coronado Beach, beckon summer visitors, while San Fran’s famous landmarks like Golden Gate Park tempt those looking to snap the perfect Instagram pictures.
The city is also recognized for its steep rolling hills, diverse culture, delicious food, and rich history; all in all, there is so much to discover, but it can be a bit of a tourist trap, affected by sky-high prices and crowds of visitors.
However, multiple other overlooked cities in the Golden State offer the same feel, but with even better vibes, which makes them excellent alternative destinations and worth skipping the Golden City for. Discover several underrated cities in California that are like San Francisco in many ways, but better in others.
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7 Oakland, California
Just like San Francisco, this city boasts a rich history, diverse culture, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful scenery, but is much less crowded and more bike-friendly
Oakland got its name from the oak trees on the grassy plain, and today, it is one of the most beautiful cities in California, thanks to its steep rolling hills, tall buildings, and multiple beautiful open spaces. From a distance, it almost looks futuristic with diverse views of infrastructure that blends seamlessly with green spaces.
Like San Francisco offers a fantastic time at night, Oakland is also known for its diversity and vibrant nightlife scene; it offers an incredible blend of cultural hotspots, music venues, and nightclubs. Both cities are historic, with Oakland founded in 1852 and San Francisco in 1776.
What makes it a better destination than San Francisco is that it is less noisy and crowded. It is also one of the most bike-friendly cities in the US, thanks to its notable efforts in promoting a cyclist-accessible environment through favorable policies, supportive programs, and infrastructure.
6 San Jose, California
This city offers a family-friendly atmosphere, breathtaking natural scenery, and a vibrant arts scene, just like San Francisco, but its low population density, affordability, and safety make it better
San Francisco has a big-city feel with towering skyscrapers and is also very hilly, with lush surroundings. San Jose, on the other hand, although bigger, has more of a suburban feel. It boasts a much lower population density, which means it’s not as crowded as San Francisco.
You will also find a thriving arts community in San Jose with impressive visual art offerings and lots of festivals to attend. Just like San Francisco, the city is also very family-friendly, and tourists will have plenty of things to do with kids in San Jose during their visit. The city is also safer and more affordable than San Francisco.
5 Berkeley, California
Berkeley offers a lot of similar vibes to San Francisco, including vibrant nightlife, an incredible shopping scene, and museums, but is healthier and more laid-back
Many things make this city a fantastic spot to visit or move to. One of them is the fact that Berkeley is the healthiest place to live in America. The city was recently recognized by Niche for its incredible efforts towards promoting a healthier lifestyle for its residents.
Travelers can dine in one of the many organic restaurants in the city and stroll through some of its numerous parks and green spaces. This is one of the things that set this city apart from the world-famous San Francisco.
Some of the similarities it shares with the Golden City include a vibrant shopping and nightlife scene, and plenty of boutiques, nightclubs, and bars are there to help you enjoy your visit. It also offers numerous museums, including the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley Art Center, and the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. As a bonus, you will enjoy a laid-back atmosphere in Berkeley, which means a great opportunity to relax and unwind.
4 Fresno, California
Both Fresno and San Francisco have picturesque scenery, are historic, and offer access to beautiful hikes, but Fresno is more affordable and is near major California National Parks
Fresno is one of the most enchanting cities in California, especially when viewed from the sky. Its location near the stunning San Joaquin River not only adds to its breathtaking scenery but also allows opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation.
It is also historic, having been founded in the 1800s, and has plenty of historical sites, like Kearney Mansion Museum & Gallery and St. Johns Cathedral of Fresno, which will take you back in time.
What makes it a better city to explore than San Francisco is its affordability and proximity to major California national parks. You can explore Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks from Fresno. Yosemite, at 61.8 miles away, is the closest California national park to this beautiful city.
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3 Fremont, California
Just like San Francisco, Fremont has a rich cultural diversity, beautiful green spaces, and picturesque streets, but is more affordable, quieter, and happier
Fremont is a vibrant city that offers residents and visitors an incredible blend of fun experiences and opportunities. It’s recognized for its cultural diversity and is brimming with green spaces, including Central Park, which offers a wide range of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Picturesque tree-lined streets are another impressive feature of the city. Although it’s among the underrated cities in California, it’s much safer and more affordable than San Francisco and also offers a quieter vacation experience. Moreover, Fremont is the happiest city in the US and scores high on the list of the world’s happiest cities, with high employment and low depression levels contributing to its high scores.
2 Livermore, California
Like San Francisco, this city is historic, naturally breathtaking, and a technological hub, but its wine culture, laid-back atmosphere, and affordability make it better
Livermore, the easternmost town in Alameda County, is one of the most underrated cities in California. Like San Francisco, it’s historic, having been discovered in 1869. This hidden gem in the heart of the Bay Area boasts breathtaking natural scenery, surrounded by trees and spectacular views of the valley. It is also a technology hub, with multiple science and technology centers, including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories.
What makes it even more special is its wine culture, which has been there for centuries, even before Napa Valley rose to fame. The first grape vines were planted here in the 1700s by Spanish missionaries. Livermore is home to numerous award-winning wineries, which are welcoming to travelers. The city is also very affordable and laid-back, allowing you to enjoy a more relaxing getaway than San Francisco.
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1 Danville, California
You’ll find similar trendy restaurants, a thriving art scene, and historic charm in Danville, but the city is calmer, less crowded, and less expensive than San Francisco
Photo from Shutterstock
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley in Danville, California
Danville is one of the least-crowded but still scenic places to visit in California and makes a perfect alternative to San Francisco for travelers looking for a similar vibe. It has an incredible culinary scene with plenty of trendy restaurants offering the finest dining opportunities, as well as cozy cafés where you can try delicious pastries.
Dating back to the 1800s, the city is rich in culture and history, and you can enjoy spending time in the local museums. The city is also known for its thriving art scene with multiple art galleries to explore. It’s much less crowded, calmer, and very affordable, which makes it a better choice than San Francisco.
Scenic attractions
Blackhawk Museum, Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site Tao House, and Auburn James Winery.
The best time to visit
Spring and fall
Population
43,449
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Publish date : 2024-07-02 18:00:00
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