Which destination for middle age couple who has little experience with traveling. We only have 7 days

What time of year?

In advising you, it would help to know the time of year you will travel, what kind of an experience you hope to have, and whether we should restrict our suggestions to the far-flung destinations you have identified.

HTTY

September 2010. Living in the north central area of the US with cold winters and miles of flatland, I was trying to choose different terrain and climate. An ocean, but not for swimming

callerid: Your part of the midwest sounds like mine!!

I like both coasts, actually. Maine seems more woodsy, and the beaches are wide and expansive with some really lovely quaint inns to offer. I've not stayed in any of them, but I'm sure others have. I always enjoy the outlet shopping in New England. My trips to Maine have all been in early October, to include fall leaf peeping (there, and in NH).

So. California, to me, is beaches, but also sunshine and time spent outdoors. When it's so cold in Illinois, it's nice to get a break on the west coast. LA is my usual destination, not San Diego. I like Beverly Hills, Sunset Blvd, just driving and enjoying the scenery.

Will you be driving? Both of your possible destinations would be best suited to driving and not relying on public transportation.

I also like oceans, but not for swimming. The coast of Maine is more quaint for driving and exploring than San Diego, IMO.

I think I'd opt for Maine...

That helps callerid. Price range and type of accomodations would proably help alitle too.

Either would be different terain but since you inidcate little travel experience, San Diego might be your best choice as it is a one stop destination vs Maine seems alot bigger area.

Our weather has been very mild this year..and San Diego is very easy to navigate...lots of nice beach areas and other fun things to do. You would need to have a car tho. There is a range of lodging options...very few right on the ocean tho..
Here are some sites to check out...
http://www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/visitsd/
http://www.infosandiego.com/
http://www.sandiego.com/beaches
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-map-191501...san_diego_ca-i

Of your two options, I am forced to pick San Diego.

However, were I given more leeway, I would have suggested San Francisco (with side trip to the Napa Valley), Highway 1 from Carmel to Moro Bay (with stops along the way), and LA for Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Warner Brothers Studio, Santa Monica, and other attractions.

HTTY

Maine is full of great bargains for the 3 weeks starting on Labor Day. You can "wing it" up and down the coast and usually find plenty of availability. With little travel experience and only 7 days, you would probably find Maine quite relaxing and easygoing at that time of year, with beautiful mild, warm weather.

Flying into Manchester NH is sometimes a lot less expensive than flying into Portland Maine, and is not a bad drive. Car Rentals are often a lot le$$ there as well.

Do you have an accomodations budget in mind? San Diego would probably be more expensive and might be harder to navigate/explore if you have no experience in big city traffic.

September is usually one of the best months in coastal California, so San Diego is my recommendation. If it were June through August I'd say Maine, but September or October is definitely San Diego.

Honestly, since you haven't travelled much, either destination would be great. In other words, you can't go wrong.

Love all your suggestions. The reason I thought of San Diego was for the exact reason 1JAR said. But "winging it" up and down the coast in Maine or S Ca sounds inviting also. Thanks to all..when I make my decision I'll ask for specifics (hotels, sights, etc)

Regarding your decision, you can't go wrong. I've done both (though both were in August). Both are excellent ideas for a week's vacation in September and you'll have a blast no matter which way you go. Come back and let us know when you decide.

Actually September is definitely the best month to visit Maine. June? No way, bugs are out and weather is often terrible.

However, I wouldn't "wing it" up and down either coast in September, book ahead at least for Saturday nights.