Vegas or San Francisco

[ErieBear]

If you had the opportunity to go to either Las Vegas or San Francisco for a business conference, which would you choose and why?

[OneFinger]

I've spent many days in both Vegas and San Fransisco. I'm not a big fan of either city.

 

But, Vegas has very little gay social life. So, the only thing that interests me in Vegas are the casinos or shows (both of which I can't afford).

 

San Francisco offers much more diversity on the gay social life. But, cost of hotels is pretty pricey.

 

I'd probably go to SF over LV.

[bigvalboy]

I think it depends on what you are looking for beyond your business conference. Since you asked our opinion however, for me you can't fairly compare these two cities.....Hands down it would be San Francisco. I think that it would be fair to say that you could call it one of the greatest cities in the world. The diversity, the embracing of cultures, the warmth of the people, the sense of community, architecture, restaurants, the seemingly endless tolerance for one another, and over all beauty of the Bar area. What's not to like. And add to that the multitude of day trips into the surrounding area that magnify ten fold how magnificent San Francisco really is. Speaking for myself, it would be a very easy decision to make.

[+ purplekow]

If you have been to neither, I would go to SF for the diversity of things to do and the unique atmosphere. I would choose Vegas if you like to gamble. There is enough to do to keep you busy but if you do not gamble, Vegas is glitz and faux glamour.

[justaguy]

I agree with all the previous posters. SF is easily my choice of the two cities. Unless you like gambling and pricey shows, Vegas doesn't really offer that much. There's a lot more to see and do in SF.

[Diverdan]

San Francisco is an easy choice... I have spent a lot of time in both cities, and I have never gone to Vegas on my own dime, and probably never will. Unless you like to gamble a lot and pay exhorbitant prices for shows, food, taxis, and even hotels most of the time, there is nothing there. Hoover Dam and Lake Mead are great to see once, and some of the desert is enjoyable, but there isnothing like San Francisco, and it is not just the city, but everything around it.

[+ sf westcoaster]

Come to San Francisco and I will give you a tour of the city!

[+ deej]

If you had the opportunity to go to either Las Vegas or San Francisco for a business conference, which would you choose and why?

 

Are you attending a conference or planning a conference? If you're attending, I'd pick SF over just about anywhere. It's a world class city in a fabulous location.

 

Vegas can make an absurd amount of sense for conference planners, though. When there isn't some competing event in town the hotels almost give the rooms away, and hotel staffs will jump through hoops to support the conference. It's also good for organizers because in the big casino hotels the guests are pretty much captive. And if you go just outside Vegas, to Henderson, the isolation is even more complete. Attendees *can't* skip out on conference sessions because there's really nowhere to go except the casino. Other than that, Vegas is just a bunch of neon lights in the middle of the desert.

[ErieBear]

Are you attending a conference or planning a conference? If you're attending, I'd pick SF over just about anywhere. It's a world class city in a fabulous location.

 

Vegas can make an absurd amount of sense for conference planners, though. When there isn't some competing event in town the hotels almost give the rooms away, and hotel staffs will jump through hoops to support the conference. It's also good for organizers because in the big casino hotels the guests are pretty much captive. And if you go just outside Vegas, to Henderson, the isolation is even more complete. Attendees *can't* skip out on conference sessions because there's really nowhere to go except the casino. Other than that, Vegas is just a bunch of neon lights in the middle of the desert.

 

I'm actually considering going to two different conferences, one in SFO, the other in Vegas. I won't be able to afford both, so I'll have to choose. I'm leaning towards Vegas, simply because I like the conference organizers a bit better. But I don't have to choose for a couple of months yet, lol.

[+ deej]

I'm actually considering going to two different conferences, one in SFO, the other in Vegas. I won't be able to afford both, so I'll have to choose. I'm leaning towards Vegas, simply because I like the conference organizers a bit better. But I don't have to choose for a couple of months yet, lol.

 

OK, add the time of year to the mix. You don't want to be anywhere near Vegas during the heat of the summer. On the other hand, Twain once wrote "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco".

[bigvalboy]

OK, add the time of year to the mix. You don't want to be anywhere near Vegas during the heat of the summer. On the other hand, Twain once wrote "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco".

 

Oh sir, I respectfully disagree.

[+ Axiom2001]

If you had the opportunity to go to either Las Vegas or San Francisco for a business conference, which would you choose and why?

 

San Francisco was recently voted as "The Best City in the US" for 2012 although it has always been my favorite city of this world of ours since I came to California a

few years back.

 

Have traveled extensively and have loved other cities as well, especially Rio de Janeiro, but SF still reigns supreme with me. Come to "The City-by-the-Bay" and enjoy its offerings:

leave your "heart" there as Tony B. sang! [Check out: http://www.gaycities.com for guidance as well.]

 

In terms of hotels, book through http://www.booking.com or http://www.agoda.com; you'll get rates that meet many budgets. I have used the former for all of my hotel bookings for the past two years.

[Guest]

I would look very carefully at the hotel rates for the particular dates you would be going. Hotel rates in those two cities can vary very wildly depending on what's going on at that time. These variations can be particularly extreme in Las Vegas. I have seen rate changes as great as 5-fold depending on what conventions are going on. A room at the Palazzo, for example, might go for as little as $100 or as much as $500 for the same room, depending on expected occupancy. If you're willing to use Priceline, you might even get the room for less. Especially since you will be there on business, and may not have that much time to tour the city, the value of your hotel room might be especially important.

Of course, if you're just there to visit the cities, San Francisco is much more interesting than Las Vegas, unless your main interest is gambling or seeing fancy shows. Since you'll be there for conferences, however, I would personally put more emphasis on the value of the hotel room. One cannot generalize a price comparison between the two cities. Actual dates are critical. Bear in mind, also, that January and February are very wet months for SF. December and March can be soggy as well. Vegas usually stays fairly dry even in the winter, although swimming pool temperatures will be going away in 4 weeks or so.