The winter months are far from sleepy in California. Snow is falling in the High Sierra and San Bernardino Mountains, the desert is humming with activity, and foodies are making the most of California Restaurant Month all over the state. Deals are buzzing too, for great rates in all of the aforementioned spots and in beach towns and Wine Country too. Start your winter getaways with one of these affordable luxuries:
Greater Palm Springs wellness deals
Even though it’s peak season in the desert, there are still deals to be had, especially on cool things to do. The deals page of the Greater Palm Springs site includes wellness and golfing deals such as the Honey & Date Body Renewal or the Revitalizing Winter Facial at Spa Las Palmas at Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa (good through Jan. 31), or greens fees starting at just $26 at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort (good through April 5).
See Monterey AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am deal at the Centrella Inn
The See Monterey deals page is a regular for having good book-ahead discounts. This time of year, they also offer a nice package for golf fans coming to town for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Feb. 3–9): a stay at the quaint Centrella Inn in Pacific Grove that comes with free rides to and from the event, and free breakfast (even a to-go breakfast if you want to get to the Pro-Am early). Good through Feb. 9.
Discover Los Angeles Westside hotel deals
Considering a trip to L.A.? From now through Feb. 29 (and beyond in some cases), you can catch deals as Westside hotels, such as the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills—offering a 20 percent discount, a complimentary upgrade, and breakfast for two—and the Kimpton Hotel Wilshire, where you’ll get a complimentary upgrade plus two tickets to the Peteresen Automotive Museum. For a romantic weekend escape, consider a stay at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Century City, which is offering a complimentary Suite upgrade plus a bottle of bubbly upon check-in (through March 31).
Travel Yosemite and Yosemite-Madera County up to 40 percent off at lodges
Winter is a serene time in Yosemite National Park—and as a bonus, staying at one of its famous lodges is even easier. Travel Yosemite is offering a Third Night Free deal for The Ahwahnee and Yosemite Valley Lodge (good through March 26), and 50 percent off winter passes that are good for six activities, including a free lift ticket to Badger Pass, cross-country gear rental, and ice skating at Curry Village (good through March 27). Visit Yosemite-Madera County offers some of the same lodging deals, along with this fun one: 30 percent off train travel, transfers, and park admission with the Amtrak San Joaquins deal (good through Feb. 29).
Huntington Beach hotel deals
The deals page for the town known as Surf City USA includes a few discounts at the Paséa Hotel & Spa. Choose from 25 percent off any stay of two nights or more (good through April) or the $250 special that comps you on daily valet parking, knocks off resort fees, and throws in a few gratis cocktails (good through February).
Sonoma Valley Second Night Free at Kenwood Inn & Spa
Winter is prime time for deals in Wine Country—as proof, this deal where you don’t have to stay several nights in order to score a free one. The offer also includes two $50 spa credits, breakfast buffet for two, and a daily sunset Magic Hour wine and cheese reception. Good through March 5. The Sonoma Valley deals page has lots of other good options, too, like a free wine-tasting passport with other lodgings.
Tahoe South hotel deals
The hotels along Lake Tahoe have gorgeous scenery and easy access to the mountain resorts. Check out the 25 percent off deal at The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe (good from March 9–April 5), or 30 percent off weekday stays and 20 percent off weekends at Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa (good through March 27). Tahoe South‘s website is also a good place to pick up discounted lift tickets for resorts like Heavenly and Kirkwood ahead of time.
Visit Newport Beach whale watching deals
It’s good grey-whale-watching season off the coast of Orange County, and Newport Beach’s offers page has a variety of discounts that you can use to get out on the water—like $20 whale watching cruises (a 50 percent discount with that operator) or a Kids Free ticket for a whale cruise that saves you $34. Good through March 31.
Temecula Valley Sip, Sip, Stay Special
During January, wineries and restaurants around the Inland Empire town are serving up creative burgers that pair well with local wine. But all winter, you can book a mid-week stay at a participating Temecula Valley property that comes with a serious tasting tour of this acclaimed wine region. Stay two nights and you get one wine-tasting passport, good for five standard wine tastings (worth $48) at the long list of participating wineries, while a three-night stay gets you two passports. Good through April 17.
Napa Valley Cabernet Season packages
Winter brings the hearty joys of Cabernet Sauvignon season to Napa Valley and there are multiple ways to celebrate. At Solage Calistoga, the Ho Ho Ho Avoid the Snow special gives you a $250 resort credit for spa or dining (through March 31), while the Cozy in Cabernet Season package at Wine Country Inn & Cottages includes a welcome bottle, fresh-baked cookies, and lobby tastings starting at just $225 a night. The Visit Napa Valley special offers page also includes lots of tips on great deals for California Restaurant Month. Most Cabernet-related deals are good through March 31, and some April 30.
Visit Mendocino Storm-Watching Special
Winter is not just whale-watching season around here. Along the dramatic North Coast you can also do some serious Mother Nature storm-watching. This deal at the Little River Inn includes an ocean-view room (with an in-room fireplace) for as little as $170 night through spring. Since it won’t be storming all the time, the plush family-owned inn south of Fort Bragg also has an Audubon-certified golf course and easy access to Van Damme State Park and State Beach. Good through spring.
Mammoth Mountain lift plus lodging deals through May
Ski season is in full swing at Mammoth and planning just a little bit ahead can save you big. For instance, you can get 20 percent off your lift tickets when you buy at least a week ahead, and that savings can go up to 40 percent when you buy a multi-day-ticket. Or, get your 4th night free at one of four lodging options (good though April 18)—or save up to 25 percent off on Memorial Day Weekend (remember, people were skiing here last year on July 4).
San Diego Tourism discounts at San Diego Zoo with hotel stays
San Diego’s offers page lists as many deals and discounts you could possibly want for hotels, restaurants, and attractions—and it’s also a good way to discover hidden gems. Take the boutique-style 1906 Lodge on Coronado Island, which dates back to—well, you might guess when—and its Zoo and Safari Park deal gets you nice discounts on attractions you will want to visit anyway. Stays include a daily breakfast buffet, happy hours, beach gear, and more. Deal is ongoing.