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 beach towns are brimming with romance. Savings are in the air too, thanks to great discounts on hotels, romance packages, and California theme parks, where you can feel like you get the rides to yourself this time of year.
Need a nudge to make a trip in the new year happen? Book it on Jan. 27, which is National Plan for Vacation Day 2026. Start planning your winter getaway with one of these fabulous deals:
Northern California
Mendocino: Seafood & Sips specials
Mendocino honors its local seafood, wine, and beer during the 10-day Seafood & Sips festival (Jan. 30–Feb. 8), held at venues around town. Make a trip out of it by booking one of the festival-related hotel deals, like the Winter Wonderland deal (20–30 percent off for two or three nights) at spots including Cottages at Little River Cove and Inn at Schoolhouse Creek. Or just mention Seafood & Sips when booking at Seagull Inn to get up to 30 percent off your stay.
Napa Valley: Little Book of Big Experiences wine passport
Pick up this limited-edition passport for $95 and you’ll enjoy VIP access to 10 Napa Valley wineries, many in the town of St. Helena. The bundle of deals translates to more than $600 in possible savings on exclusive tastings, estate tours, and unique wine and food pairings.
Wineries include Clif Family Winery and VGS Chateau Potelle Winery, which offers a pairing featuring plates from La Toque Restaurant. Good through March 31, 2026.
Santa Rosa: Grand Gesture package at Vinarosa Resort & Spa
Picture the definition of a grand gesture for your valentine and this package at this Santa Rosa resort covers it: a suite, a roaring fireplace, breakfast in bed, and details such as rose petals, champagne, and chocolate-covered strawberries. Add in a couples massage, a private car with a driver, a few amazing private dinners and—get ready for it—a personalized drone show over the resort’s vineyard. Granted, this is a splurge—it starts at $23,000—but isn’t your boo worth it?
Soda Springs: Family passes
Bundle a season of snow fun for the whole family at this ski resort in the North Lake Tahoe area. The pass covers your entry to the two ski lifts, the all-ages Tube Town tubing area, and the little-kid-friendly Planet Kids with its tubing carousel, “snow volcanoes,” and a Woodward Start Park that’s a great place for kids to learn skiing and snowboarding.
The $699 price covers two adult and two child passes and has no blackout dates for the 2025–26 season.
Sacramento: King for a Day package at the Kimpton Sawyer
Book an MVP-worthy trip to watch the NBA’s Kings play in downtown Sacramento. The Kimpton’s package includes a room with a view of the Golden 1 Center plus a winning selection of perks: a $50 gift card to Lids + Kings Locker Room, a $100 in-room breakfast credit, complimentary valet parking (worth $40 per night), and a late check-out. Good through April 30.
Santa Cruz: 20 percent off and huge views at the Dream Inn
Winter in Santa Cruz means king tides—extreme high or low tides that make for great wave-watching—plus year-round fun at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Stay in the heart of town at the oceanfront Dream Inn, where you might also see winter’s migrating whales from your balcony. The Ride Out the Storm deal takes 20 percent off your rate and adds a $50 dining credit plus a Santa Cruz puzzle to take home; good through Feb. 28.
Redding: Free tickets to Lake Shasta Caverns or $50 gift cards
Plan a trip to fully explore Redding and the surrounding Shasta Cascade region with some big savings. Choose your dates for a two-night stay at participating hotels, then select from a long list of freebies—including tickets to Lake Shasta Caverns National Natural Landmark or Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Or choose from a variety of $50 gift cards redeemable at local restaurants and breweries.
Central California
Yosemite: Winter rates starting at $84
Enjoy Yosemite National Park’s blissful winter season—and a chance at seeing the Firefall phenomenon in February—by staying in the park. This super-affordable deal is for heated or unheated cabins in Curry Village (good through March 26). Or, spend a little more by using code WINTER2026 for winter rates at the Ahwahnee Hotel or Yosemite Valley Lodge (start at $366 and $189 respectively); book by Jan. 31 for stays through March 26, with some blackout dates.
Mammoth Mountain: 30 percent off a Quad Pack+
Pick up a Quad Pack+ when planning a trip this season to Mammoth Mountain: You get lift tickets for any four days during the 2025–26 season (you don’t have to use them in a row, either) and can then save 30 percent on ticket reloads all season. Bonus: There are no blackout days, and the tickets are also valid at nearby June Mountain. Good through the end of the 2025–26 snow season.
Mammoth Lakes: 20 percent off at Limelight Mammoth
Check out this new boutique hotel in Mammoth Lakes where you’re five minutes from Woolly’s Adventure Park and 15 minutes from Tamarack Cross-Country Center. Its grand-opening deal takes 20 percent off the rate and includes a $25 dining credit. Good for stays through June 30, 2026; use code GRAND or call 844-256-2193 to book by Dec. 30.
In the new year you can choose from more deals, like the Mini Adventure offer that takes 15 percent off two- or three-night stays.
Modesto: Almond Blossom Cruise packages
Take a road trip to see the colors of almond blossom season in Modesto, where the pink-and-white hues pop in February and March. Choose from different packages, such as the Almond Joy and Petal to the Medal specials, which bundle in perks such as an audio tour sent to your phone, swag bags, or admission to a bus tour. All deals include the Let’s Go Nuts deal book that helps you save up to 20 percent at shops, restaurants, and farmstands.
Keep an eye on the Almond Blossom Cruise website for developing hotel deals at convenient spots like the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Modesto.
Monterey: Monterey Bay whale-watching package
Whale-watching season is in full swing along the California coastline and the town of Monterey provides the perfect setting for excursions to see the giant mammals. With this deal from the Monterey Bay Inn, you can bundle your whole getaway into one price: a hotel stay, a three-hour whale-watching excursion, and breakfast in your room.
The bayfront boutique hotel is set along Cannery Row and walking distance from both Fisherman’s Wharf and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Southern California
Huntington Beach: Fourth night free at Kimpton Shorebreak
Ready to act on your 2026 resolution to take more vacations? Start by browsing the Huntington Beach deals page, including this deal at the Kimpton Shorebreak where all guests enjoy evening social hours, morning tea and coffee, and free loaner bikes for exploring Huntington Beach.
Check out more deals such as the New Year, New Tides deal at Paséa Hotel & Spa, which includes a 15 percent discount plus discounted resort and valet fees ($26) and a $26 breakfast credit. Good for stays through Dec. 31, 2026.
La Jolla: Save up to 20 percent at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
January brings the Farmers Insurance Open (Jan. 29–Feb. 1) to this plush resort on the bluffs of La Jolla, overlooking the famed Torrey Pines golf course. This special bundles in tickets to the golf tournament or you can come other times of year and save up to 20 percent off your room just by buying a ticket to the San Diego Zoo.
Catalina Island: Romance and winter packages
February’s Valentine season coincides nicely with a quiet time of year to enjoy Catalina Island, off the Southern California coastline. This package features stays at Hotel Atwater or Mt. Ada, round-trip transportation aboard the Catalina Express, a bottle of champagne, and a box of chocolates.
To boost your savings, check out the island’s annual Best of Winter packages, midweek deals that also include Catalina Express tickets and stays at a choice of hotels; good for select weeknight stays through March 13.
Anaheim: Fourth night free at Anaheim Portofino Inn & Suites
Stay at this Good Neighbor Hotel for walking-distance access to Disneyland Resort, plus the option of kids’ suites with bunk beds. Its More Time for the Magic deal includes a fourth night free (good through Dec. 31, 2025) while its ongoing offers include the A Little More Magic package which bundles in two pairs of Mickey and Minnie ears, reusable water bottles, as well as a waived resort fee and a $10 hotel gift-shop voucher.
Los Angeles: Three months free on a Universal Studios Annual Pass
Make the most of the coming year—and then some—at this Los Angeles theme park that will see the debut of a new coaster in 2026 . Buy an annual pass with this deal and it will work for 15 months after your first visit. Good for purchase until April 8, 2026, and some restrictions apply.
San Diego: 15 percent off at Ocean Park Inn
Stay in the heart of San Diego’s beach scene in the Pacific Beach neighborhood, where this hotel is steps from the sand and includes daily free breakfast for all guests. Its Wonder Wanderlust deal takes 15 percent off the best rate and adds free parking and a $25 beverage credit at their Sip Stop. Good for stays of at least two nights through March 1, with some blackout dates.
Palm Desert: Up to 20 percent off at Westin Desert Willow Villas
Even though it’s peak season in the desert, there are still deals to be had in Greater Palm Springs. Consider this special at the Westin Desert Willow Villas (book by April 3, good through June 19) or enjoy the same level of savings at Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas, also in Palm Desert.
Escondido: Seniors free at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
February in San Diego brings a nice freebie just for seniors: The San Diego Zoo Safari Park—the San Diego Zoo’s 1,800-acre sister property—welcomes visitors ages 65 and older with free admission all month.
February is also San Diego Museum Month, when anyone can pick up a pass at San Diego public libraries and get half off admission at more than 70 local museums.
Make it a getaway by browsing hotel deals in San Diego, like the How Suite It Is deal that takes 30 percent off suites at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla (through Feb. 28).
Temecula: Vineyard romance packages at Ponte Vineyard Inn
Woo your boo at Temecula’s Ponte Vineyard Inn—surrounded by manicured gardens and estate vineyards—with this package that includes six house-made chocolate-covered strawberries, a bottle of wine, and a $50 gift card. Or consider the Grapeline Stay and Taste Package that includes your stay plus a bottle of wine, a gourmet picnic lunch, and an all-inclusive wine country tour hosted by Grapeline Wine Tours.
Anaheim: $50 kids’ tickets at Disneyland
The first few months of the year are a savvy time to visit Anaheim, thanks to balmy-winter weather and typically shorter wait times at Disneyland. Starting on Jan. 21, you can score kids’ tickets (ages 3 to 9) for $50 per child with the purchase of a special 1- to 3-day Park Hopper Ticket.
California residents, meanwhile, can use the California Resident Ticket Offer to save more than 50 percent on 3-day Park Hopper tickets for as low as $83 per person for a total cost of $249; good for visits between Jan. 1 and May 21, 2026.
Check out more Disneyland offers, such as up to 25 percent off stays at onsite resorts; book by May 7 to stay through May 22.
Carlsbad: 30 percent off and $39 kids’ admission at LEGOLAND
Staying onsite at Carlsbad’s LEGOLAND California adds serious value this time of year. Not only do you get 30 percent off the regular rates, but this hotel deal also offers kids $39 Hopper tickets (which includes admission to the resort’s Sea Life Aquarium). Good from Jan. 5 through the end of 2026.
Palm Desert: Desert Dreams package at Mojave Resort
This adults-only boutique hotel, which started out as the Galla Villa motel in the late 1950s, offers authentic midcentury modern aesthetics; it’s also walking distance from the shopping and dining of El Paseo.
This package focuses on relaxing: You get a weighted, lavender-scented eye mask and the makings for a “Sleepy Girl” mocktail each night. The 25-room resort also offers a pool, fire tables, board games, and bikes. Or book the Stay Longer deal that takes 25 percent off your stay of at least two nights.