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. Deals are buzzing too, thanks to great discounts on hotels, excursions, and California theme parks, where you can feel like you get the rides to yourself this time of year. Start planning your winter getaway with one of these deals:
24 Percent off at Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach
Ready to act on your 2024 resolution to take more trips? Start by browsing Visit Huntington Beach’s deals page, including this 2024-themed deal from the Paséa Hotel & Spa. Book your stay by Jan. 31 and save 24 percent on the best available rate. You’ll also pocket a $100 resort credit. You’ll have all year to take the trip too: The deal is good for stays through Dec. 31.
Third Night Free at Yosemite, Yosemite
Enjoy Yosemite’s blissful winter season—and a chance at seeing the Firefall phenomenon in February—by staying at either the Ahwahnee Hotel or Yosemite Valley Lodge. Book at least two nights at one of the hotels and get a third night free; good for stays on select dates through March 9 at the Ahwahnee and March 14 at Yosemite Valley Lodge. Must book by Jan. 31.
3rd Night Free at the Dream Inn, Santa Cruz
Winter in Santa Cruz means king tides—extra-high and low tides that make for great wave-watching—plus year-round fun at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, which observes its centennial this year. Stay in the heart of town at the oceanfront Dream Inn, which offers specials such as a third-night-free deal (good for most stays through May 31), and a King Tides package that takes 20 percent off your rate and throws in a $25 daily food and beverage credit (good only on select dates in January and February).
Seafood & Sips Specials, Mendocino
Mendocino honors its local seafood, wine, and beer during the 10-day Seafood & Sips festival (Jan. 26–Feb. 4), held at venues around town. Make a trip out of it by booking one of the festival-related hotel deals, like the offer at the Heritage House Resort & Spa that takes 25 percent off a stay of at least three nights, and includes a welcome bottle of wine. Or just mention Seafood & Sips when booking at the Mar Vista Farm + Cottages and you get an easy 10 percent off the rate. While you’re in the area, enjoy some of the prix fixe deals during Fort Bragg’s Restaurant Week.
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—the San Diego Zoo’s 1,800-acre sister property in Escondido—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 60 local museums. Make it a getaway by browsing hotel deals in San Diego. For example, the Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter offers its own senior discount when you book in advance (ongoing).
20 Percent off at the Archer Hotel, Napa
Plan a Valentine’s trip to Napa Valley with this deal at the Archer Hotel in downtown Napa. You’ll get 20 percent off the standard rate plus $50 for food or drink. Good for stays through Feb. 29.
Third Night Free at Yosemite Redwoods Cabins, Madera County
Stay at least two nights during March at The Redwoods in Yosemite—cabins and cottages located in the national park’s Wawona area—to get a third night free (book by Feb. 20). For a little more flexibility, check out The Redwoods’ other deals, such as 15 percent off in March or April (book by March 31) or 10 percent off this summer at cabins or houses (good through Aug. 12).
$50 Kids’ Admission to Disneyland, Anaheim
The first few months of the year are always an excellent time to visit Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort, thanks to shorter wait times, but this winter offers extra incentive: This limited-time ticket deal offers kids ages 3–9 admission for $50 between Jan. 8–March 10, 2024, subject to theme park reservation availability. Good for a one-day ticket with admission to one park; add a Hopper or Disney Genie+ services for extra fees.
The resort is offering sweet deals at its onsite hotels too—up to 20 percent off atDisney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and the condo-style Villas at Disneyland Hotel. Deals are good most Sunday–Thursday nights though March 8. Must book by March 7.
$25 Kids’ Admission at LEGOLAND California, Carlsbad
This winter, when you buy an adult ticket to Carlsbad’s LEGOLAND California, you can buy up to four kids’ tickets for just $25 each. Make it a Hopper ticket, which includes admission to the SEA LIFE Aquarium, and kids’ tickets are $40 each. Plan a full getaway by also booking the park’s 25th Anniversary hotel package that includes early park entrance and free breakfast at the two LEGOLAND hotels. Good January 8 though March 10.
Best of Winter Deals, Catalina Island
Catalina Island offers one of the easiest island getaways around—starting with a deal that combines your ferry ride on the Catalina Express from Long Beach, San Pedro, or Dana Point with a hotel stay at one of four hotels. Midweek deals include the Hotel Atwater, where rates start at $131 per person, and the Forbes four-star Mt. Ada—the former home of the Wrigley family—where rates start at $275 per person. Good for stays through March 15.
Want to plan a Valentine’s getaway? Book the Romance Package that includes round-trip ferry tickets for two, a room at Hotel Atwater, a prix fixe dinner at Avalon Grille, a box of chocolates, and a bottle of bubbly.
Romance Getaway at Marina del Rey Hotel, Marina del Rey
This Marina del Rey hotel makes a lovely Valentine’s getaway, located right on the waterfront and walking or biking distance from Venice Beach. Sweeten the experience with the hotel’s add-on deal that includes chocolate-covered strawberries, a bottle of bubbly, and help setting up a couples massage. Check out the hotel’s other lodging deals, too, such as 10 percent off for advance bookings, or the Pancakes and Parking package that throws in free breakfast and valet.
Winter Reset at the Holbrooke Hotel, Grass Valley
Play in Gold Country during the winter with this package at the Gold Rush–era hotel in Grass Valley. The deal offers a 20 percent discount on weekday rates or 10 percent off on weekends, plus two cocktails and a fun perk: a map of nearby winter activities, which includes cross-country skiing at nearby Royal Gorge. Good for travel through March 15.
Almond Blossom Cruise Packages, Modesto
Take a road trip to see the colors of almond blossom season in Modesto, where the pink and white hues pop from February into March. Choose from different packages, such as the Almond Joy and Petal to the Medal specials, which combine a stay at a local participating hotel (including the Baymont by Wyndham Modesto Salida) with perks like an audio tour sent to your phone, swag bags, or admission to a bus tour.
Health Is Wealth Package, Sonoma
Create a blissful wellness getaway in Sonoma County at the Lodge at Sonoma, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. This package bundles two spa treatments (use both yourself, or share with your companion), a wellness experience (such as a Sound Bath session), daily yoga classes, and a credit for the hotel’s juice cart. Must stay at least two nights in a junior cottage; good for stays through March 31.
Want to spend your getaway exploring wineries? Check out the other deals on the Sonoma Valley site, like the 25 Percent off at El Pueblo Inn, which is walking distance from the historic Sonoma Plaza. Call the inn at 800-900-8844 and give them code NEWYEAR2024. Good for stays of at least five nights through March 31.
30 Percent off a Quad Pack+, Mammoth Mountain
Pick up a “Quad Pack+” when planning a trip this season to Mammoth Mountain: You get lift tickets for any four days during the 2023–24 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 2023–24 snow season.
Free Tickets to Lake Shasta Caverns and $50 Gift Cards, Redding
Plan a trip to explore Redding and Shasta County with some easy savings from the Choose Redding website. Book 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 from a variety of $50 gift cards, such as The Park Food Truck Hub and Final Draft Brewing Company. Good through June 30.
Up to 25 Percent off at Pechanga Resort, Temecula
Stay at least two nights at the Temecula Valley resort owned by the Pechanga Band of Indians—home to an excellent spa, golf course, and casino—and you’ll get 20 percent off your rate. If you can plan ahead by at least 30 days, you’ll receive 25 percent off your rate. The 20 percent deal requires a 48-hour advance booking; both deals are good for much of 2024, excluding May 24–Sept. 2.
Up to 20 Percent off at Westin Desert Willow Villas, Greater Palm Springs
Even though it’s peak season in the desert, there are still deals to be had in Greater Palm Springs, like this special at the Westin Desert Willow Villas in Palm Desert (good through June 21) or 25 percent off deal at Hotel Zoso in downtown Palm Springs (good through Jan. 31). You can also find fun discounts on wellness on the area’s deals page, like a discounted float session with a massage at the nearby Desert Serenity Float & Spa (good through Dec. 31, 2024).
Monterey Bay Whale-Watching Package, Monterey
Whale-watching season is in full swing along the California coastline and the town of Monterey makes a nice spot 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. Ongoing.
