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 festivals are happening all over the state. Deals are buzzing too, with great rates in the mountains, beach towns, and theme parks. Start planning your winter getaway with one of these 20-plus deals:
$100 Resort Credit at LEGOLAND California, Carlsbad
Winter is an excellent time to feel like you’re getting a California theme park all to yourself, especially during the week. Book a hotel stay at Carlsbad’s LEGOLAND California between Sunday and Thursday and you’ll get park admission plus a $100 resort credit, which you can use at any store or restaurant at LEGOLAND California. Staying at the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel or the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel also includes free breakfast each day of your stay. Book by Feb. 8 and stay by March 9. (Check the page for more deals after Feb. 8, too.)
$99 Cabins to See Firefall at Curry Village, Yosemite
The cottages and tent cabins of Yosemite’s Curry Village make a prime home base for watching the Firefall at the national park’s Horsetail Falls, a phenomenon that typically happens from mid- to late February. Choose a tent cabin, available heated and unheated, or a furnished cottage. Once the Firefall has disappeared, it’s still a great time to enjoy relative solitude inside the park. Ongoing.
Breakfast in Bed deals, Santa Monica
For a memorable Valentine’s Day gift, take a loved one to Santa Monica, where a few hotels are offering special deals during February and beyond. At the sleek Santa Monica Proper, the Proper Romance package includes a $100 breakfast-in-bed credit for stays of two nights or more (good through Feb. 28). The Romance with a View deal at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows includes an ocean-view room and $100 for an en-suite breakfast, as well as a bottle of bubbly, tickets for the iconic Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier, and a 15 percent discount on a piece of bling from the hotel’s jewelry shop, Edward Avedis (good through Dec. 31).
Third Night Free at Yosemite Redwoods Cabins, Madera County
A serene calm settles over much of Yosemite National Park during winter and early spring, as the snow begins melting and the animals emerge. It’s the perfect time to cozy up at a lodge Stay for three nights during March at The Redwoods In Yosemite—cabins and cottages located in Wawona—and the third night is free (book by Feb. 20). Or, plan a little further ahead: Get 15 percent off during April (book by March 31) or 10 percent off this summer at cabins or homes in historic Wawona (book by June 1).
$100 Credit at the Exchange Sacramento, Sacramento
The “Sweeten Your Stay” deal at this hotel in downtown Sacramento doesn’t involve candy, but it still works for Valentine’s season: You get a $100 nightly credit to be used at the on-site restaurants, as well as early check-in and late checkout. Good through Feb. 28.
Third Night Free, Greater Palm Springs
Even though it’s peak season in the desert, there are still deals to be had in Greater Palm Springs, like the third night free on weeknights at the Doubletree Golf Resort Palm Springs in Cathedral City (good through Dec. 23). You can also find fun discounts on wellness on the area’s deals page, like a discounted massage and day pass to the mineral spa at The Good House, 20 percent off a breathwork session (good through Jan. 31, 2024), or $50 off a spa treatment at Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa (good through Feb. 28).
Seniors Free at San Diego Safari Park, Escondido
February in San Diego brings a nice freebie just for seniors: the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido welcome visitors ages 65 and older for free at the sprawling, 1,800-acre sister property of the San Diego Zoo (good through Feb. 28). February is also San Diego Museum Month, when you can pick up a pass at San Diego public libraries and get half off admission at more than 60 local museums. Make a trip out of it by staying at the Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, which offers its own senior discount when you book in advance, and any grandkids ages 18 and under can stay free (ongoing).
Almond Blossom Cruise package, Modesto
Take a road trip to see the colors of almond blossom season in Modesto, where the colors pop from February into March. Book a stay at one of 11 local participating hotels (including the Baymont by Wyndham Modesto Salida) and you’ll get an easy audio tour sent to your phone, as well as a voucher for a gift basket of local fruit-and-nut goodies, to be picked up at the Rodin Ranch Store in downtown Modesto.
Save Up to 20 Percent at Disneyland Hotels, Anaheim
The first months of the year are always an excellent time to explore the Disneyland Resort, and this year the Anaheimtheme park is celebrating Disney100, the centennial of Walt Disney’s animation studio. The resort is offering nice deals at its on-site hotels—up to 20 percent off standard rooms at the Disneyland Hotel and the Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Deals are good most Sundays–Thursday nights though March 9. Must book by March 6.
Extended Valentine’s at Balboa Bay Resort, Newport Beach
Need more time to take your valentine on a getaway? The AAA Four diamond resort in Newport Beach is offering a Valentine’s deal that lasts well into March. The Romance by the Bay deal includes a bottle of bubbly, chocolate strawberries, and a $100 dining credit (the resort’s A+O Restaurant & Bar offers lovely bay views). Optional add-ons sweeten the pot with rose petals, in-room tasting menus, and even a customized message posted on the resort marquee (hello, proposals). Good through March 24.
The resort offers other fun deals for this time of year, like the wellness-minded New Year, New You package, with its $100 credit for spa treatments or gear rentals, plus free mocktails and exercise classes; or the Reinventing Anna package that lets you pretend to be the Netflix-famous heiress with a Diamond White facial at the spa, a bottle of bubbly, and a $100 shopping credit.
Mustard Season Deals, Napa Valley
In Napa Valley, winter’s “mustard season” means that vibrant yellow mustard flowers dot the vineyards and local fields. Enjoy the results of the local mustard seeds too: Partake in weekly Tuesday mustard tastings at the Market at Carneros Resort & Spa (though March 28) or the enjoy the spa’s Mustard Fields Massage (mustard can help boost circulation, ease joint pain, and is moisturizing), and get a third night free on your lodging. Or, get a $61 discount on the Magic of the Mustard Tour from Laces & Limos when you book through the Visit Napa Valley specials page (good through March 19).
Winter on the Coast, Mendocino
Winter getaways along the romantic North Coast offer excellent opportunities to see whales out on the horizon, or just to watch waves crashing against the rocks. This deal at the Little River Inn includes $20 off ocean-view rooms (some with in-room fireplaces), $40 off Deluxe and Garden Retreat Rooms, and $50 off Luxury Rooms. The quaint family-owned inn south of Fort Bragg also has an Audubon-certified golf course and easy access to the coastal Van Damme State Park. Call 888.INN.LOVE to book the deal. Good through Mar. 31.
20 Percent Off a Winter Escape in Carmel, Monterey County
Embrace the romantic ambience of Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year. Stay for three nights or more during the week at Horizon Inn Carmel—a pet-friendly Monterey County hotel with private balconies and fireplaces—and you get 20 percent off the rates (just be sure to use “Carmel Winter Escape” when booking). Good through March 31.
Hot Springs Deal at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Sonoma
Thaw out any winter chills at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, where the spa sits on top of an ancient geothermal spring and the resulting waters reach a toasty 115 degrees. Book the Warm Up in Wine Country deal at the Sonoma resort between Sunday and Thursday and you can enjoy daily exercise classes and free access to the spa facilities, including the three geothermal pools and an indoor Bathing Ritual area with an exfoliating shower and soaking pools. Good through March 31.
Check out Sonoma County’s deals page for more cool trips—like the week-long Astro Alcohol Adventures tour, which includes a whole week of lodgings at the retro-style Astro Motel. You pick a week with a focus on wine, beer, or spirits, and the rest is organized for you: themed tours, several meals at nearby Spinster Sisters, as well as tasting fees, transportation to tastings, and more. Good through April 2.
Romance and Winery Deals, Temecula Valley
The inns and wineries of Temecula Valley are offering up Valentine’s offers that last into spring. Check out this slate of romance deals that typically bundle in a room, breakfast, or bottles of local wine—found at spots including the Temecula Creek Inn (good through March 31), South Coast Winery (ongoing), and Pechanga Resort Casino (ongoing).
Save Up to 40 Percent Off Hotels, Lake Tahoe
Make the most of snow season by checking out the deals on the Visit Lake Tahoe site, which include deals at Heavenlyand Sierra-at-Tahoe. Choose from hotel packages like 40 percent off at Forest Suites Resort in Heavenly Village (good through April 16), 30 percent off weeknights at Station House Inn in South Lake Tahoe (good through March 31), or a bundled “3-Pack” lift pass that can be used on any three days during the season at Sierra-at-Tahoe, saving you up to 35 percent (good through April 13).
Whale-watching Discounts, Newport Beach
It’s whale-watching season off the coast of Orange County, and Newport Beach’s offers page includes 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 April 30.
30 Percent off a Quad Pack+, Mammoth Mountain
Pick up a “Quad Pack+” when you’re planning any trips to Mammoth Mountain and you have a lot of flexibility: You get lift tickets for any four days during the 2022–23 season (you don’t have to use them in a row, either) and can then save 30 percent on ticket reloads all season long. No blackout days, and the tickets are also valid at nearby June Mountain. Good through the end of the 2022–23 snow season.
Free Towns and Trails Pass, Siskiyou County
Get in the loop for local deals getting the free Towns and Trails pass from Siskiyou County. Sign up for the pass through your phone and check in at participating locations such as Castle Crags State Park, Five Marys Burgerhouse, and the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center, collecting perks and discounts along the way (ongoing). Plan your trip around another Siskiyou County deal to make the most of the opportunity—like up to 30 percent off a campsite at McCloud RV, at the base of Mount Shasta (good through April 30)
Experience Japan package, Torrance
The Los Angeles County city of Torrance has a deep inventory of Asian restaurants—its Ramen Trail is just the beginning—and you can extend the Asian experience to your hotel, too. Book the Experience Japan package at the Miyako Hybrid Hotel, one of the few U.S. branches of this Japanese hotel chain, where rooms include tatami mats, Japanese bath powder, and sencha green tea and snacks. The package also includes dinner and breakfast for two at the hotel’s onsite Ise-Shima restaurant (ongoing). Check out Discover Torrance’s other hotel deals for an easy 10 percent off or more at a variety of brand-name hotels. Ongoing.
Lodge & Links Package, Half Moon Bay
Plan a golf getaway this winter in San Mateo County, home to the two blufftop courses of Half Moon Bay Golf Links. Stay next door at the 80-room Half Moon Bay Lodge—where rooms are equipped with woodburning fireplaces—just outside of downtown Half Moon Bay, and you’ll get one round of golf at the links, a free continental breakfast, and a golfer’s goodie bag with a signature golf towel, sunscreen, and more. Book the deal by plugging your dates into the online reservations system, then clicking on the Lodge and Links rate. Ongoing.
