Spring has new meaning this year, as California continues its phased reopening. With more people starting to think about vacations again, Golden State hotels are rolling out the welcome mat with incentives and deals.
It’s an excellent reminder to check out the visitor’s bureau website of any destination you’re thinking about visiting. (And before you travel, keep checking local sites for the latest information, and remember to take note of safety protocols.)
These days, it’s pretty easy to find a third or fourth night free at hotels as well as nice discounts for California residents taking trips close to home. You can also find creative deals if you’re ready to celebrate a belated birthday or anniversary, attend a baseball game, or even check out a space launch. Even better, the latest deals stretch the definition of “spring”: Some last well into summer and beyond. Here are more than a dozen nice ways to create your own break, listed north to south:
25 Percent Off or Third Night Free at Four Sisters Inns, Mendocino County
The small chain of Four Sisters Inns has 17 small hotels across the Golden State—including the Blue Door Inn, Packard House, and JD House in Mendocino County. They’re all offering two deals right now: either 25 percent off standard rates or a Third Night Free—which translates to rates as low as $132 a night. At all the inns, expect perks such as complimentary breakfast, loaner bicycles, and afternoon picnics of wine, cheese, and freshly baked cookies. Good through June 20.
30 Percent Off for California Residents, Silverado Resort
Get almost a third off the best rate, plus a late Sunday checkout, when you show your California state ID at this Calistoga resort with two PGA golf courses (good through October 18). Other great deals on the Napa Valley site include 30 percent off two-night stays at the Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa. Must book by April 30, and good for stays through May 27.
Spring Staycation Deals, Sonoma Valley
Many of the spring deals in Sonoma Valley last right up until the summer solstice—like 25 percent off at the Kenwood Inn, including a reserved breakfast and an afternoon wine-and-cheese picnic. Or, book rates as low as $85 a night at the Sonoma Creek Inn, or take the 25 percent–off deals at sister properties Gaige House, A Four Sisters Inn and Inn at Sonoma. All deals good through June 20.
Freebies at the Farmhouse Inn, Sonoma County
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Farmhouse Inn in Forestville with this package that includes a $70 credit at its FARMSTAND restaurant, a $100 spa credit, and a five-hour wine excursion with a driver (good through Dec. 31). The wine country region also offers a range of good wine-tasting offers—like 2-for-1 tastings at Chateau St. John (though May 31) and the Sonoma County Tasting Pass, good for 1-, 2- or 90-day timeframes (ongoing).
Spring Lodging Bonus, Mammoth Mountain
Stay two nights at select Mammoth Mountain properties—including Juniper Springs Resort and the Mammoth Mountain Inn—and you'll get a $50 resort credit. Stay three nights, and you'll get $100—and those credits are good at various locations around town and on the mountain, such as bike park tickets and gondola rides. Good through June 10.
Spring Staycations, Monterey
Charm mixes nicely with value at three inns in Monterey County. Carmel-by-the-Sea’s The Coachman’s Inn, Pacific Grove’s Gosby House Inn, and Green Gables Inn are all offering 25 percent off, or a third night free if you book at least three nights. Good through June 20.
Third Night Is a Charm, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Peruse Carmel-by-the-Sea’s offers page to brainstorm more ways to experience this picturesque Monterey County town. For instance, get a third off your stay at Hofsas House Hotel, a 37-room European-style inn with ocean views, and located in the heart of town.
Free Pass to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, Visalia
Book a three-night stay at one of these participating Visalia hotels, located close to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and you’ll get a free pass to explore the parks. Just follow the booking rules to get your voucher, to be presented at the Visit Visalia office. Visalia also offers a hotel deal that earns you a $50 gas card. Both deals good through June 30.
Space Launch Deals, San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County is becoming an excellent perch for watching liftoffs and space launches (including, eventually, SpaceX) thanks to its neighbor, Vandenberg Air Force Base. Area hotels are getting ready with deals—like the 10 percent–off deal at Vespera on Ocean—an Autograph Collection Hotel in Pismo Beach (good through Dec. 25). For more SLO deals, check out offers such as the third night free on weeknights (though Dec. 3) and 15 percent off for California residents (though May 31) at Hotel Cerro, located in downtown San Luis Obispo.
Third Night Free at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
A long list of hotels are offering third-night deals in Santa Barbara, including the plush, oceanfront The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, just north of the city (though June 30). The deal applies to many excellent hotels right in town, too, such as Inn by the Harbor (though May 31) and Hotel Californian (through June 30), both in the city’s Funk Zone.
$100 Conejo Cash, Conejo Valley
Check in at one of the 16 participating hotels in this area that encompasses parts of both of Los Angeles and Ventura counties and you get a $100 Visa gift card that can be used anywhere outside your hotel. Use it for dining, such as bakery and café The Nook, Pedals & Pints Brewing Co., or bistro Boar Dough. Or, make a visit to the recently reopened The Ronald Reagan Library & Museum.
L.A. Comeback Deals, Los Angeles
Hollywood loves a comeback story, and Discover Los Angeles is telling that story for great hotels reopening all over the county. Consider the 20 percent–off deal, with waived destination fee, at Andaz West Hollywood (ongoing); 40 percent off at the Ace Downtown L.A. (good through August 31); or the third-night free offer at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills (good until Dec. 31). You can also get fun deals on activities, like 20 percent off a 90-minute drive at the Porsche Experience Center in Carson (good until June 30; for California residents only).
Third Night Free at Terranea, Rancho Palos Verdes
Come to this oceanfront resort on Los Angeles County’s Palos Verdes Peninsula for the farm-to-table cuisine, golf, and even plein air painting. You’ll need a few days to do it all, so this deal comes in handy. Book by May 23 for stays through May 26. Or plan a weekday getaway and get 30 percent off through June 30.
Spring and Summer Deals, Long Beach
This L.A. County town is a bit of a hidden gem, thanks to its walkable waterfront, interesting attractions (like the Queen Mary and Aquarium of the Pacific), and a buzzing culinary scene. The current deals include familiar names such as the Long Beach Marriott (starting at $121), Hyatt Centric The Pike Long Beach (starting at $152), and Westin Long Beach (starting at $112), but also local favorites such as The Varden (starting at $149), the boutique inn created out of the 1920s classic Dolly Varden Hotel.
Missed Moments Packages, Santa Catalina Island
A ferry ride from Long Beach or Dana Point, Santa Catalina Island recently reopened and is making up for lost time with lots of packages. Book the Missed Moments package at the Pavilion Hotel, Mt Ada, or Hotel Atwater and get a $25 dining credit each day (for dine-in or takeout) plus a cake to help celebrate that belated birthday or anniversary from the quarantine era. Or, just go for big savings, and get a third night free at the Pavilion Hotel, Hotel Atwater, or the craftsman-style B&B Banning House Lodge in Two Harbors. Deal is ongoing.
Stay Longer Deals, Greater Palm Springs
As spring arrives, the deals in Greater Palm Springs start multiplying. Two excellent examples: The Family Package at the Renaissance Esmerelda Indian Wells (good through May 28) which offers a connecting room starting at $99 and other family-friendly goodies; and 25 percent off four nights at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa (though June 6).
Up to 30 Percent Off Hotels, Huntington Beach
The Orange County town known as Surf City USA is loaded with convenience, given its proximity to both surfing waves and fun O.C. attractions. California residents can score 25 percent off at the Kimpton Shorebreak these days, and anyone can get up to 30 percent off at Paséa Hotel & Spa. Both deals are ongoing.
Work from Wine Country, Temecula Valley
Ready to travel but still working from home? This package at two sister properties in Temecula Valley—Carter Estate Winery and Resort and South Coast Winery Resort & Spa—offers 15 percent off the best rate for a two-night midweek stay, a bottle of wine, free WiFi, and early check-in (10 a.m.) as well as late check-out (3 p.m.). At Carter Estate Winery and Resort, you get free continental breakfast too. Just watch out for the distractions of pools, private patios, and a spa. Call 866-377-6171 to reserve; good through July 30.
Take Me “UP” to the Ballgame, San Diego
San Diego Tourism has a crowd-pleasing selection of deals, including one that will appeal to baseball fans: A stay at the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter that includes two rail seats plus $100 credit per day at the Altitude Sky Lounge, which has views into the Padres’ home stadium next door. Deal is ongoing.
