These hotels are offering reduced rates, free golf, museum passes, and the chance to explore California's gorgeous coastline, wine country, and beaches.
San Rafael, from $89 per room per night
Four Points by Sheraton San Rafael is offering 20 percent off when you book and pay seven days in advance. San Rafael is 19 miles north of San Francisco. The hotel has an outdoor heated pool and is located in a small valley overlooking northern California. Rates start at $89 per room per night, which represents savings of 20 percent.
When: Ongoing.
Details: Does not include taxes of 11 percent. Based on single or double occupancy.
Contact: 415/479-8800, starwoodhotels.com.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, from $99 per room per night
Carmel Inn & Suites makes an affordable and convenient jumping-off point for exploring California's central coast. The inn is within walking distance of the beach and close to shopping and art galleries. Carmel-by-the-Sea is about five miles south of Monterey. Rates start at $99 per room per night, which includes Wi-Fi access and breakfast daily.
When: Ongoing.
Details: Does not include taxes of 10 percent. Based on single or double occupancy.
Contact: 800/325-8515, carmelinnandsuites.com.
Healdsburg, from $99 per room per night
Healdsburg, 70 miles north of San Francisco, is a lesser-known gem of Sonoma wine country. There are 100 local vineyards in the area, and many offer free tours and tastings, Simi Winery among them. There are also lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors, such as kayaking and bike riding. The Best Western Dry Creek Inn is offering a 40 percent off promotion right now, which drops rates to $99 per room. You can upgrade to the Hotel Healdsburg, with rates starting from $340 per room per night. Check out Healdsburg Lodging Coalition for more options.
When: Ongoing.
Details: Does not include taxes of 12 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Good on weekday stays (Sunday through Thursday); weekend rates might be slightly higher.
Contact: 800/222-5784, drycreekinn.com.
Palm Desert, from $139 per room per night
The Unlimited Golf Package at Desert Springs, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa includes accommodations and unlimited golf for two people during the length of stay (the regular rate for each round of golf would normally start at $55). The resort has two 18-hole courses, both designed by architect Ted Robinson, "King of Waterscapes." Palm Desert is about 15 miles from Palm Springs. Rates start at $139 per room per night.
When: June 17–Sept. 27, 2009.
Details: Does not include taxes of 11 percent. Based on double occupancy; no single bookings. Use promo code GOF.
Contact: 760/341-2211, desertspringsresort.com.
San Francisco, from $149 per room per night
The Westin St. Francis is offering a Stay Two, Get Three promotion for weekend stays: When you stay two nights, you get the third free. The 614-room main building just completed a $40 million renovation. The hotel is right in Union Square, a major hub for shopping and sightseeing. Rates start at $149 per room per night, or $298 for the required three-night stay (with the third night free).
When: Through Dec. 31, 2009.
Details: Does not include taxes of 14 percent. Based on single or double occupancy. Stay must start on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
Contact: 415/397-7000, westinstfrancis.com.
Huntington Beach, from $199 per room per night
The standard summer rate at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, 45 minutes south of L.A., includes special activities through Labor Day. Kids under 12 eat free and receive a welcome gift at check-in; there are also children's activities by the hotel's pool, including balloon art and face painting. The hotel is pet-friendly and supplies complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, and sand pails and shovels. It's a short walk from the hotel to the beach. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, a live calypso band serenades guests by the pool. Rates start at $199 per room per night.
When: Through Sept. 7, 2009.
Details: Does not include taxes of 11 percent. Based on single or double occupancy.
Contact: 714/845-8000, hilton.com.
San Francisco, from $219 per room per night
The King Tut Standard Package at the InterContinental San Francisco includes accommodations, breakfast daily (a $50 value), two tickets to the King Tut exhibition at the de Young Museum (a $65 value), two passes on the city's CultureBus (a $14 value), and a $25 credit for one treatment at the I-Spa. The exhibit displays more than 130 artifacts from the tomb of King Tut. Rates start at $219 per room per night.
When: June 27, 2009–Mar. 28, 2010.
Details: Does not include taxes of 16 percent. Based on double occupancy; single occupancy rates start at $194 per night.
Contact: 415/616-6500, intercontinentalsanfrancisco.com.
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