Take it from a local like me.
“California” and “government” in the same sentence often draws a side-eye. However, when it comes to tourism reports, our ears perk up like a dog hearing the treat bag.
The latest government report doesn’t reflect the sky-high rent I pay or the high-speed train that’s been teased for years; it reflects a shocking revelation.
That is, until you dig a little deeper…
San Francisco is now more popular than Los Angeles, both icons in their own right.
As you may have heard, LA hasn’t exactly done a great job cleaning up its image — or its streets — whether it’s world-famous Hollywood Boulevard or parts of downtown that could be mistaken for a zombie film set.
San Fran is not only more popular now, but seems to be safer, an aspect that has dimmed the former bright lights of Hollywood.
LA Vs. SF: Safety By The Numbers
No, we're not having a Dodgers-Giants or Rams-49ers face-off. This is a duel that travelers really care about.
Of course, there are no travel advisories for either of these cities since the State Department doesn't issue domestic travel advisories and wouldn't want to blemish the image of 2 cities who have already struggled with public perception anyway.
That said, that's where our Safety Index comes in handy like Steve's notebook.
Travelers have clearly spoken, crowning San Fran as the clear winner for cleaning up their act.
Remember, not long ago, during and immediately after the pandemic, SF struggled to keep negative headlines at bay as criminals were running rampant.
Now, the city is in the green — literally. — earning an impressive safety score of 81/100, all things considered.
LA, on the other hand? Yikes…
I last visited in April, and I was sketched out just walking under an overpass to watch the Preds get smoked by the Kings at the Crypto.com Arena.
It's dirty, there are homeless encampments seemingly filling every nook and cranny, and I'm sure the city means well, but it's not exactly the most inviting sight to see such a heavy dose of security guards meandering each block as if they expect something to go down.
Personally, I don't feel safe in many pockets of LA and I voted as such on our Safety Index, which currently sits at a less-than-stellar score of 68/100.
But hey, at least it's not 67. Hopefully, that fad ended…
Right, kids?
San Francisco Wins Popularity Contest
As the state of California remains America's top tourism destination, it used to be that LA was the top dog no matter what.
But here’s how far things have changed: mayoral races rarely make national headlines unless a city is facing serious problems — though another reality TV star forcing their way into politics certainly helps draw attention.
LA's image has become so dire after the Pacific Palisades and Altadena fires that nobody seems to talk about the Santa Monica pier, Rodeo Drive, or Hollywood in general, unless its a complaint of how much of a cesspool its become, one that is not only aesthetically off-putting but feels unsafe to explore.
On the flip side, San Francisco is seeing a hefty influx of tourists and they're spending beaucoups of money — the most in the state, in fact.
LA may see more passengers arriving at LAX compared to SFO by year's end, but the real marker of success is visitors are actually staying a while, boosting the economy with epic meals at Chinatown and North Beach, booking a scenic boat tour to Alcatraz, and shopping 'til they drop at Fisherman's Wharf.
Having visited both San Fran and LA within the last year, there's no denying the former has flipped the switch with the exception of the long-struggling Tenderloin District.
Overall, the vibe is so much different between these cities.
You can catch me riding the BART any time, but there's no way I'm stepping foot on LA's public transit, even if they've claimed renewed efforts to implore solutions for cleanliness and safety, along with the recent launch of a new route to the glitz and glamour of Beverly Hills's new station.
SF & LA Both Play World Cup Hosts
If there's one thing both cities have going for them it's sports, as much as I hate to say that as Padres fan.
Sports have become a major driver for tourism for both cities, especially since San Fran held last year's Super Bowl and has passed the baton to LA (well, Carson technically) for the upcoming NFL season.
Most notably, both cities are playing host to the World Cup — ya know, real football if you want to sound worldly.
Make sure you factor that in when booking a trip as there are numerous reports revealing sky-high accommodations, not that either city was known to be budget-friendly in the first place.
LA will host 8 World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium, while the San Francisco Bay Area gets 6 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Los Angeles World Cup dates:
- June 12, 2026
- June 15, 2026
- June 18, 2026
- June 21, 2026
- June 25, 2026
- June 28, 2026
- July 2, 2026
- July 10, 2026
San Francisco World Cup dates:
- June 13, 2026
- June 16, 2026
- June 19, 2026
- June 22, 2026
- June 25, 2026
- July 1, 2026
Check out our World Cup Safety Index for real-time details before locking in your plans.
