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

Should you visit Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz? 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 laid-back, scenic, and picturesque coastal town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Portland, Maine and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz than Portland, Maine, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Cruz is better known for its museums and nightlife, while Portland, Maine is more popular for its impressive beauty. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Portland, Maine and is known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is famous for Santa Cruz Wharf. Portland, Maine is well known for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks.

How is Portland, Maine different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Cruz. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Portland, Maine and Santa Cruz can be difficult as they are each notable 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 Santa Cruz. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Is Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

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

Santa Cruz is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Portland, Maine and Santa Cruz are high quality choices.

Portland, Maine is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Is Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Portland, Maine and Santa Cruz both have notable trails.

Portland, Maine is a good destination for hiking. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Many people include a hike when visiting Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz Better for Christmas?

Portland, Maine is a moderate coastal town for its Christmas activities. However, Santa Cruz does not offer Christmas activities.

Portland, Maine has some seasonal activities during Christmas. Watch the Christmas tree lighting or listen to the symphony at Christmas time.

Santa Cruz does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Cruz is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is well known for couples. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Santa Cruz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

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 Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel 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 Santa Cruz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Cruz is a town 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 Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

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 Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for its walkability.

Getting around Santa Cruz on foot is easy. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

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 Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Portland, Maine?

How long in Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Portland, Maine than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Portland, Maine, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz.

One day in Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz?

With shopping and nightlife around the laid-back coastal town of Portland, Maine, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The scenic destination of Santa Cruz offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Portland, Maine, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

The town of Santa Cruz offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz?

Portland, Maine, a popular coastal town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Santa Cruz is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz?

Portland, Maine is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Cruz. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Portland, Maine and Santa Cruz, we can see that Portland, Maine is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Portland, Maine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland, Maine than you might in Santa Cruz.

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 Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz?

Portland, Maine has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Portland, Maine and Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland, Maine and Santa Cruz. The summer months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In the summer, Portland, Maine is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Portland, Maine in July average around 69°F (20°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

In July, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Portland, Maine gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Portland, Maine as well as Santa Cruz. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Portland, Maine is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 49°F (9°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Portland, Maine are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Portland, Maine. Portland, Maine is much colder than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 21°F (-6°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In January, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Portland, Maine gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Portland, Maine during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Portland, Maine is much colder than Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Portland, Maine in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Portland, Maine