A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Portland, Maine vs. San Diego for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Portland, Maine or San Diego?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Portland, Maine or San Diego? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a seaside, laid-back, and scenic coastal town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

San Diego

San Diego is a relaxed, outdoorsy, and idyllic coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Portland, Maine and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portland, Maine or San Diego?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Diego than Portland, Maine, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Diego is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Portland, Maine is known for its impressive beauty. San Diego is more touristy than Portland, Maine and is popular for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. It is also home to The San Diego Zoo. Portland, Maine is popular for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks.

How is Portland, Maine different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Diego and Portland, Maine. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Portland, Maine or San Diego?

San Diego is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

San Diego offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Portland, Maine or San Diego? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Portland, Maine and San Diego can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Portland, Maine area. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around San Diego. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

San Diego is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

San Diego is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.

If you're looking for night time activities Portland, Maine has a few options to choose from. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is well known for its music scene. However, Portland, Maine is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in San Diego. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Portland, Maine is not a live music destination.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a popular place for its resorts. However, Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

San Diego has a few great resort options. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.

Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

San Diego is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Portland, Maine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

San Diego has a few good snorkeling spots. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.

Portland, Maine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for the beach. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in San Diego. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Portland, Maine is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is well known for its hiking experiences. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around San Diego. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.

Many people include a hike when visiting Portland, Maine. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland, Maine or San Diego?

Shopping is a popular activity in both San Diego and Portland, Maine.

Many visitors go to Portland, Maine to go shopping. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in San Diego. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego Better for Christmas?

Portland, Maine is adequate for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, San Diego does not offer Christmas activities.

The Christmas holiday can be fun in Portland, Maine. Watch the Christmas tree lighting or listen to the symphony at Christmas time.

San Diego does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, San Diego is a very family-friendly destination. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.

Portland, Maine offers lots of family activities. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for couples. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

San Diego makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.

Portland, Maine is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Diego is a popular place for backpackers. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit San Diego. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Portland, Maine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It isn't so much a backpacker destination, but there are some budget accommodation options around town.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego Better for Students?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for students. However, Portland, Maine is not popular with students.

Many students frequent San Diego. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.

Portland, Maine is not popular with students.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

San Diego is a coastal city with a few options for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.

Public transit is quite limited in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Portland, Maine or San Diego a more walkable city?

San Diego is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for its walkability.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable coastal city. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable coastal town. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Portland, Maine?

How long in Portland, Maine or San Diego?

In either Portland, Maine or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than Portland, Maine because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Portland, Maine, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

Families should spend more time in San Diego than Portland, Maine. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Diego, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in San Diego than Portland, Maine. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Diego that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Diego than Portland, Maine if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Diego.

One day in Portland, Maine or San Diego?

You'll find food and shopping around the coastal town of Portland, Maine. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The relaxed destination of San Diego offers shopping and museums. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Portland, Maine or San Diego?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the scenic destination of Portland, Maine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

The coastal city of San Diego offers museums and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Portland, Maine or San Diego?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic coastal town of Portland, Maine. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

San Diego is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. This coastal city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Portland, Maine or San Diego?

Portland, Maine is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting San Diego. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Portland, Maine and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Portland, Maine Expensive? and Is San Diego Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Portland, Maine or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Portland, Maine and San Diego, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Portland, Maine or San Diego?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or San Diego in the Summer?

Both San Diego and Portland, Maine during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Portland, Maine is generally around the same temperature as San Diego. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 69°F (20°C), and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Portland, Maine. In the summer, Portland, Maine often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Portland, Maine gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Portland, Maine gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland, Maine and San Diego. The autumn months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

Portland, Maine is much colder than San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 49°F (9°C) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. Portland, Maine usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during autumn. Portland, Maine gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than San Diego. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or San Diego in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Portland, Maine as well as San Diego. The Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Portland, Maine in the winter. In the winter, Portland, Maine is much colder than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Portland, Maine in January average around 21°F (-6°C), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the winter, Portland, Maine often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Portland, Maine gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in January than San Diego. Portland, Maine gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego and Portland, Maine are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Portland, Maine is generally much colder than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 43°F (6°C), and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. Portland, Maine usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during spring. Portland, Maine gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than San Diego. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Portland, Maine