Longing to take a trip, but not sure how soon? This fall, the hotel deals in California are designed for just that kind of challenge. Resorts from Northern California down to the desert and San Diego are offering “autumn” specials that often extend to the end of the year, or into 2021. Plus, California hotels are touting the various COVID-19 protocols they’ve put in place to welcome you.
A typical deal these days offers increasing savings if you stay more than one night, with flexible cancellation policies if your plans need to change. Other packages, meanwhile, help you celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or even weddings that had to be put on hold during 2020.
While planning your getaway, consider adding a CityPass or LeisurePass to get additional discounts on admission to some of the biggest attractions around the Golden State—such as the San Diego Zoo and San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay. You’ll also get reduced rates on outdoor activities like bike tours of the Golden Gate Bridge and whale-watching off the Los Angeles coast.
Here are 22 hotel deals, listed north to south, that empower you to plan your next California trip on your terms.
Up to 25 percent off at The Village at Squaw Valley
Book your stay at this mountain resort hub by Sept. 28 and you’ll get 25 percent off your rate for stays through Nov. 24. Or, take your time booking and get up to 25 percent off with the Stay More, Save More deal, for stays through Nov. 25.
Up to 25 percent off at Resort at Squaw Creek, Olympic Valley
Make the most of shoulder season in the Lake Tahoe area: 15 percent off any three-night stay at this AAA Four Diamond resort, or 25 percent off four nights—the latter giving you an enticing starting rate of $97/night (good through Nov. 25). Or choose the ongoing Stay & Play package that includes a $75 resort credit per day.
10 percent off at the Sierra Sun Cloud Inn, Colfax
This Placer County inn situated on 18 acres has the ambience of a traditional New England B&B—but with big views of the Sacramento Valley and nearby mountains. When you go old-school in your trip-planning—booking direct and paying by cash—you’ll get 10 percent off your stay.
Up to 25 percent off at Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, Sacramento
Many Kimpton hotels across California are offering good deals right now—typically stay-longer-style discounts—but the Sacramento Kimpton has a nice special for California locals: a generous 25 percent off.
West Coast Rate at the El Dorado Hotel, Sonoma
This 27-room boutique hotel is located right in Sonoma’s downtown square and is also home to a popular farm-to-table restaurant. Show your ID from California, Oregon, or Washington and you get 20 percent off your rate. Check out the Sonoma Valley offers page for more deals, too—like a great 20 percent off rate plus food and drink at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa.
Up to 25 percent off at Cavallo Point, San Francisco
Get up to 25 percent off stays of a week or more at San Francisco’s historic inn at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can also stay three nights and get 15 percent off, or explore the resort’s wellness packages.
Advance Purchase Deal at the Padre Hotel, Bakersfield
Located in the heart of downtown Bakersfield, the historic, four-diamond hotel has a fabulous rooftop lounge, reputed ghosts, and lots of value: You’ll get a nice break of 20 percent if you book even 14 days ahead.
Third Night Free Deals, Santa Barbara
Get a third night gratis at any of 22 hotels in Santa Barbara, from boutique properties to big resorts such as The Ritz-Carlton Bacara. You have to book your stay by Sept. 27, but travel dates typically extend into 2021. Plenty of these hotels have their own deals too. At the State Street’s Hotel Californian, state residents can trim 5 percent off their rate—plus enjoy free breakfast and parking—on any stay.
20 percent off at Langham Huntington Pasadena
This palatial Pasadena resort offers lots of built-in distancing, set on 23 beautifully landscaped acres. Book your stay at least seven days ahead and you’ll get 20 percent off with the Advance Purchase deal (good through Dec. 31).
10 percent off for SoCal Locals at The Mosaic Hotel, Beverly Hills
This boutique hotel has excellent Beverly Hills credentials, from its central location to its Bulgari bath products. Its Stay More, Save More deals range from 5–15 percent, but Southern California locals get 10 percent off for any length stay, plus a bottle of wine upon arrival.
For more Beverly Hills getaways, check out the 10 big-name hotels offering Something to Feel Good About specials, typically including perks such as room upgrades, free breakfast, valet parking, or bottles of bubbly upon arrival.
Book Ahead or Stay Longer at Hotel Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica
These two Santa Monica hotels have distinct personalities—Casa Del Mar has a gorgeous Art Deco heart, while Shutters evokes Cape-Cod-beach-house bliss—but the sister properties offer similar deals: save 15–25 percent off stays from 3–7 days, plus a $100 resort credit. At Casa Del Mar, you can also save 15 percent just by booking at least 30 days ahead.
Third Night Free at Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes
You have plenty of room to spread out at this 102-acre coastal resort on L.A. County’s Palos Verdes Peninsula: It has beach access, golf, hiking trails, and a renowned restaurant. Its Third Night Free Deal gives you plenty of latitude too—it’s good through April 30.
European-Style Getaways at the Mission Inn, Riverside
Celebrate a belated birthday at this grand dame hotel in the Inland Empire city. The Birthday Wishes special offers a $50 dining credit plus goodies from the on-site Casey’s Cupcakes, while the Local’s European Getaway invites you to soak up the hotel’s castle-like ambience with a $100 dining credit.
Elope at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort, Indian Wells
This Greater Palm Springs area hotel offers great tennis and pool time year round, but it’s finishing off 2020 with aplomb, offering just 20 couples the chance to do physically distanced weddings on the aesthetically pleasing date of 11/11/2020. The I Do Package ($2,000) offers a wedding ceremony officiated from the pool deck, while 20 couples exchange their respective vows from their guest room balconies overlooking the pool, with livestreaming for friends and families back home. The package also includes room, food, bubbly, and even the services of a photographer. Not getting married? The resort also offers a low-commitment, 25 percent off deal through the end of 2020.
Book Early & Save at Balboa Bay Resort, Newport Beach
This waterfront Newport Beach resort combines a great pool scene with opportunities to get in the ocean via boat, kayak, or paddle board. The Orange County hotel is also offering a lenient cancellation policy through the end of 2020, and 15 percent off deals in the meantime. Consider the Stay More, Save More offer (starting at just two nights) and a Good Neighbor deal for residents of Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.
Up to 25 percent off at Surf & Sand Resort, Laguna Beach
Every room at this 167-room Laguna Beach resort has an ocean view, so you’ll want to stay more than just a night or two. The Stay More, Save More deal starts at 15 percent off for two nights and goes up to 25 percent for four nights. Good through Dec. 20.
Up to 30 percent off at Pacific Edge Hotel, Laguna Beach
Some rooms and suites at this Orange County boutique hotel have fireplaces, ocean views, or even direct beach access. Its Stay More, Save More special gives you 10 percent off one night and up to 30 percent off for three nights or more.
Missed Moments Packages, Catalina Island
If 2020 thwarted your plans to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or graduation, Santa Catalina Island is offering you a do-over: This package includes a daily $50 food credit on stays at the island’s Pavilion Hotel, Mt Ada, or Hotel Atwater, plus a cake. Or, just celebrate the fact that you’re taking a trip with the Third Night Complimentary deal.
Book Early Deal at Pechanga Resort Casino, Temecula
Want to plan ahead? Book your stay at this classic Temecula Valley resort 30 days in advance and you’ll get 25 percent off. Or, be more spontaneous, and you can get 25 percent off just by staying at least two nights during the week.
Coed Special for Two at Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, Vista
This plush destination spa in north San Diego County sets its agenda around themed weeks—and any of them can carry their own deals these days. The spa’s Coed Special, coming up in October, lets you bring your companion for 50 percent off—which adds up to a lot, since a four-day, all-inclusive stay is usually $6,600 per person. Also in October, a Celebration Special offers up to $1,000 off your stay.
Free Nights at Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego County
This crowd-pleasing San Diego area resort has three swimming pools, a golf course, and a spa. Go on a weeknight and you can get a second night free (good through Dec. 31), or take the family and get a second room for 50 percent off via the Two for the Road Deal. Families will also like the 4th night free deal that includes free meals for kids, free parking, and a drive-in movie at the resort (good through Oct. 31).
Kids Free, Plus Hotel Deals, San Diego
The specials section of the San Diego Tourism Authority site is always simmering with good hotel deals, especially around the beloved Mission Bay. For instance, you can save 15 percent off at Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, or get the Buy One, Get One 50 percent Off at The Dana on Mission Bay. And remember that October is always deals season here, thanks to Kids Free San Diego, with family-friendly hotel, food, and attraction deals that last all month.
