Here’s some good news for anyone who’s pricing out a fall getaway: There are plenty of California hotel deals out there—providing you know where to find them.
Check out your destination’s tourism board website, where you can usually find specials that range from free nights to dining credits. Or plan a trip around a festival—many event websites feature deals at nearby partner hotels. Meanwhile, September is California Wine Month, so wineries around the state are offering discounts or special activities to celebrate. And October means free kids’ admission to big attractions during Kids Free San Diego.
Read on for some great examples of such deals, discounts, and freebies all over the Golden State.
Northern California
Clio: October Golf Stay and Play at Nakoma Resort
Explore Plumas County’s Lost Sierra from a luxury retreat that boasts a championship golf course, villas, and a Frank Lloyd Wright–designed lodge. Enjoy unlimited golf with this October package that includes the resort fee and use of the resort’s Altitude Recreation Center featuring a pool, game room, theater, and climbing wall. Good for two-night stays during October.
Fort Bragg: 15 percent off hotel and Skunk Train
The Noyo Harbor Inn offers a luxury-level stay in Fort Bragg with its own spa, whiskey bar, and prime location on the harbor—which is a short drive from the popular Skunk Train excursions. Stay here and enjoy an easy 15 percent off your room rate as well as 15 percent off your tickets for a scenic train ride through the redwoods.
Sacramento: $1 Valet Parking at the Citizen Hotel
This deal in downtown Sacramento lets you pay just $1 for unlimited in-and-out valet services for one car during your stay. The hotel, housed in a 1925 building near the state capitol, has a political history theme, with political cartoons on the walls and a Scandal Lounge.
Napa: Napa Crush Package at Silverado Resort
Kick off fall’s Cabernet season in Napa Valley at Silverado Resort. This deal takes 20 percent off the best rate and adds a $75 resort credit per stay—plus the resort’s Atlas Peak AVA Winery Passport, which gives you discounts and two-for-one tastings at 20 nearby wineries. Good for stays through Oct. 31.
Guerneville: Up to 40 percent off at Dawn Ranch
Need to recharge? Book a week at Dawn Ranch, a retreat-style resort with cabins, chalets and tents, set along the Russian River in Sonoma County. Take a whopping 40 percent off your rate when you stay for at least seven days. Can’t stay that long? Check out their deals for shorter stays—including 15 percent just for booking on their website.
San Francisco: Museum package at the Hyatt Regency
Bring the whole crew to this hotel on San Francisco’s Embarcadero. Book its Launch into Space deal, and each guest gets a ticket to the hands-on Life in Space exhibit at the Exploratorium (good through Sept. 13). Or book the Urban Explorer package, which includes a bay view room, a waived destination fee, and tickets for San Francisco Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour. Good through Dec. 31.
Central California
Mammoth Mountain: Save up to 25 percent
Make the most of the autumn shoulder season and leaf-peeping at Mammoth Mountain. Stay two nights and get 20 percent off your rate or stay at least three nights for 25 percent off. Participating hotels include Mammoth Mountain Inn, The Village Lodge, Juniper Springs Resort, and Tamarack Lodge. Book by Nov. 11 and stay by Nov. 12.
Visalia: 10 percent off plus $30 dining at The Darling Hotel
The Darling Hotel in downtown Visalia is extending summer with this deal that takes an easy 10 percent off the rate and includes a $30 dining credit at the hotel’s Elderwood restaurant. Good through Sept. 30.
The hotel makes a great launching point to enjoy the fall scenery in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (which you can enter for free on Sept. 17 for Constitution Day).
Santa Barbara: Third night free deals
Choose from nearly 20 Santa Barbara hotels and resorts, ranging from a family-friendly Best Western to the luxurious Mar Monte Hotel—and you can score a third night free. Blackout dates vary by property, but many deals are good through Dec. 31.
Carmel Valley: Third night free at The Quail
This sprawling resort in Carmel Valley, just inland from Carmel-by-the-Sea, offers plenty of room to spread out and play: Unwind at the spa, hit the pickleball or tennis courts, or go on a thrilling ride at the Land Rover Experience Driving School. Or focus your time at the acclaimed par 71 golf course at its Quail Golf Club. To make the most of it, book the 3 for 2 Deal—get a third night free—when you stay between Sunday and Thursday, or book the easy Bed-and-Breakfast package to bundle a $45 credit into your stay.
Monterey: Discounts for jazz fans
Come to this year’s Monterey Jazz Festival (Sept. 25–27) and enjoy a good hotel deal while you’re here. Use the festival site to book your hotels at the festival rate to get sharp discounts—sometimes more than $100 off a night. The member hotels include Monterey Marriott, the local Hilton Garden Inn, and the Courtyard by Marriott Sand City Monterey, which just opened in January. Good for stays between Sept 23–28; must book by Aug. 11 for the Courtyard and by Sept. 4 for the Hilton Garden Inn.
Southern California
Greater Palm Springs: Spa Month deals
The Greater Palm Springs area celebrates its deep inventory of spas during the whole month of September with a range of deals and special treatments. Bliss out with options such as 25 percent off any service at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa or the $119 Taking of the Waters spa day at Spa at Sec-he.
San Diego: Kids Free San Diego
Coming to San Diego during October with the kids? Check out the deals offered during Kids Free San Diego, the annual deals-fest that includes free admission and perks for little ones. Age restrictions vary by deal—with anywhere from 9 to 12 as an age limit—but typically kids 11 and under can get in free at a variety of theme parks, museums, and other attractions, including LEGOLAND California and Sesame Place San Diego.
Rancho Palos Verdes: Spa getaways at Terranea Resort
Autumn is extra blissful at this oceanfront resort in L.A. County that features four pools, a golf course, farm-to-table dining, and a sumptuous spa. Book its Spa Getaway package and enjoy 15 percent off the rate plus a generous $300 daily spa credit on weeknight stays, and 10 percent off plus a $200 daily spa credit on weekend stays. Use promotional code SPA.
Big Bear: Ski free on your birthday
Opening day for Big Bear Mountain, Snow Valley, and Snow Summit will soon be announced, and the season could last well into spring again. If your birthday coincides with that time frame, redeem a free lift ticket at the mountains’ ticket window on your special day.
Do you have an early fall or summer birthday? You can get the freebie during the rest of the year and cash it in for a lift ticket at the Bike Park or the Scenic Sky Chair; a ticket for the climbing wall at Snow Summit; or a free round of golf at Bear Mountain Golf Course.
Santa Monica: 20 percent off and complimentary car service
Feel like a local when staying at The Ambrose, a boutique hotel in a Santa Monica neighborhood. Get 20 percent off your weekend when you stay through Sunday night; the package includes the hotel’s complimentary wine hour and rides in the house Tesla between 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Check out more Santa Monica hotel deals, with perks such as free parking, dining credits, and easy discounts just for booking at least 14 days ahead of time.
Anaheim: Halloween season deal at Anaheim Majestic Garden
This Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel offers a free shuttle bus to the theme parks plus a bevy of freebies—it even has its own onsite princess, Corinne. Its Halloween deal starts at $209 a night and includes a free daily breakfast or dinner buffet for two, discounted hotel parking ($10/day), and Halloween goodie bags for two kids. Some restrictions and blackout dates apply. Good for stays through Oct. 31.
Palm Springs: Early-bird deal at Parker Palm Springs
Get a jump on the desert’s shoulder season at this midcentury modern classic in Palm Springs. Commit to a getaway—24 hours after you book it’s non-refundable—and you’ll save 30 percent on the rate. Good for stays from Sept. 13 through Dec. 31. Need more flexibility? The hotel also offers a fourth night free deal with fewer restrictions.
Browse more Greater Palm Springs hotel deals, such as 33 percent off three nights at the Palm Mountain Resort and Spa, a mellow boutique hotel in downtown Palm Springs.
Los Angeles: Campus tour deal at USC Hotel
Immerse yourself in campus culture at the University of Southern California by staying next door at the USC Hotel, owned and operated by the university. This deal includes all the info you need for self-guided campus tours, plus a pizza and drinks. (Fun fact: The sustainability-minded hotel uses all LED lights, low-flow plumbing, and nontoxic cleaning materials.)
Riverside: History and dining package at Mission Inn
Riverside’s Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is rich with history and culture, thanks to its fascinating artifacts (like a giant presidential chair and a bell from the 13th century) and lore that includes both famous guests and ghosts. The hotel’s History Inn the Making deal combines a great starting rate of $279 with a $50 dining credit, an early check-in, and a history tour for two, Good for stays through Nov. 19.
San Diego: Free San Diego Zoo Admission
Early fall in San Diego brings warm days and more elbow room at the biggest attractions. Explore the San Diego Zoo with the San Diego Zoo for Two package that includes a stay at the waterfront hotel in Mission Bay, plus two adult tickets to the zoo. The hotel also offers a similar deal with tickets to SeaWorld San Diego.
