MGM SAVINGS: Southwest Airlines Vacation is offering up to $100 off on MGM resorts packages in Las Vegas when a hotel and flight package is booked by Thursday for travel through Dec. 26. Guests can save $20 per night, up to $100, and some resorts are offering an additional 30 percent off. Go to southwestvacations.com or call 800-423-5683 and use the code MGM20PNT.
LAST-MINUTE FOR LESS: Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas is making a last-minute vacation easy with 40 percent off peak season rates when a vacation is booked by Sept. 15. Guests can also receive up to 60 percent off power boat rentals. In addition, guests can look into the "Introduction to Houseboating" program, which starts at $299. Go to www.lakepowell.com or call 888-486-4665.
FOUR C'S: Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in Rancho Santa Fe is inviting guests and locals to take part in "Croquet, Cocktails, Cheese and Charcuterie" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through October. The event is $30 per person; go to ranchovalencia.com or call 858-759-6277.
KEEP SUMMER GOING: Hotel Solamar in San Diego is keeping summer alive with two new packages. "Weekend Wind Up" starts at $175 per night and includes accommodations, 50 percent off valet parking, morning coffee and tea service, a hosted evening wine reception and access to an in-house fitness room. Use the code WIND. "Summer Never Ends" also starts at $175 per night and includes accommodations, a Bloody Mary every morning (until 11 a.m.) at JSIX restaurant, morning coffee and tea service, a hosted evening wine reception and access to an in-house fitness room. Use the code SUMR. Go to www.hotelsolamar.com or call 619-819-9500.
LAKE TAHOE FALL DEALS: Zephyr Cove Resort in Lake Tahoe is offering 50 percent off lodge rooms, cabins, suites and chalets to celebrate fall, available Sept. 8 to Oct. 30. The hotel also offers discounts on meals, power boat rentals, tandem parasailing and more. Also, from Oct .1 to Dec. 20, the Hot Fall Deal includes a one-night stay in a one-bedroom lakeside cabin, two tickets to a sightseeing cruise and breakfast for two (package starts at $129). Go to www.zephyrcove.com or call 866-761-6240.
BEST OF NORTHWEST: Aramark Parks and Destinations on Washington's Olympic Peninsula is inviting adventurers to experience the "Best of the Northwest" for travel between Sept. 13 and Oct. 31. The package includes lodging at Lake Quinault Lodge, Kalaloch Lodge, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Lake Crescent Lodge (all lodges are along Route 101); and a $40 resort credit per night. A three-night stay starts at $399, and additional nights start at $99. Go to www.olympicnationalparks.com or call 866-297-7367.
CELEBRATE MEXICO: Hacienda Beach Club & Residences in Cabo San Lucas is inviting vacationers to celebrate Mexico's 200th anniversary (Sept. 16 is Mexican Independence Day) all month with $200 off nightly. Go to www.haciendacabosanlucas.com or call 866-300-0084.
MISSION INN SEPTEMBER SPECIALS: Mission Inn in Riverside is hoping to make it a September to remember with new packages. Suddenly September starts at $169 and includes room, valet parking and a $25 resort gift card. Fall Back Inn Time starts at $289 and includes two nights' rooms, valet parking and a $50 resort gift card. Experience History Under the Stars starts at $229 and includes room, valet parking, dinner for two at Mission Inn Restaurant and a docent-led tour under the stars. Couple's Splendor to Remember starts at $489 and includes two nights' accommodations, breakfast for two each morning in the room, a couples massage and valet parking. Other packages are available; go to www.missioninn.com or call 951-784-0300.
SUNSET CONTEST: Aston Waikiki Sunset is holding an "Endless Sunset Photo Contest," which will give three winners a three-night stay at the hotel in Hawaii. Entries must demonstrate a moment that captures a Hawaiian sunset, composition, creativity, clarity and technical quality; upload entries to flickr.com/groups/endless_sunset_contest/ by Sept. 15, and three winners will be selected Sept. 16. Go to astonhotels.com.
BRING YOUR PET: The Peninsula Beverly Hills is going to the dogs with its "Family and Fido Getaway" through Sept. 15. The package includes a superior room, a bottle of champagne, a $100 credit per day for kids' menu items, an ultrasuede doggie bed, a doggie towel, a bowl and a Tail Shakin' Not Stirred Martini. The package starts at $495 per night, with a second room at $247.50; go to www.peninsula.com or call 800-462-7899.
WELLNESS WEEK: Wellness Week will make a stop in San Diego from Sept. 20 to 26, with half-price deals at spas, yoga studios, Pilates centers and more. Classes are either $50 flat rate or 50 percent off, depending on the location; go to www.spafinder.com/dealdays to find participating locations.
SAN DIEGO WINE TOUR: Porto Vista Hotel in San Diego has introduced a "No Kidding, Great Wines in San Diego" package for two for $435. The package, which is available through September to celebrate California Wine Month, includes a two-night stay at the hotel, a four-hour limo excursion to Fallbrook Winery (with a bottle of wine and two wine glasses), daily breakfast and a wine flight at Glass Door Restaurant. Go to portovistasd.com or call 619-544-0164.
COUPLES IN THE FALL: The Rancho Bernardo Inn is looking forward to fall with its "Cashmere & Caviar: A Couples' Retreat" package, available after Labor Day through Dec. 31 for $589. The package includes a private casita; a cashmere throw; a private butler cart with a fondue set, a bottle of champagne and the couple's favorite magazines; a spa amenity package; an 80-minute spa treatment; a tasting menu at El Bizcocho; a chocolate mousse trio; and breakfast in bed. Go to www.ranchobernardoinn.com.
LUXURY STAYCATION: Pure Entertainment Group is inviting San Diegans to enjoy San Diego with a staycation deal starting at $3,850 for two, through Nov. 10. The package includes a three-night stay at the US Grant, Se San Diego or The Keating Hotel; a welcome bottle of champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries on arrival; breakfast in bed for two; a three-course dinner for two at Bertrand at Mister A's (alcohol not included); a three-course dinner for two at the hotel restaurant (alcohol not included); an in-room massage for two; a half-day private yacht cruise with food and drinks; a 30-minute helicopter tour of San Diego; and Sunday brunch for two at JRDN restaurant. E-mail concierge@purentonline.com.
TOP HOTELS FOR PETS: TripAdvisor recently announced its top 10 pet-friendly hotels, and among the winners were San Diego's Hotel Solamar and Coronado's Loews Coronado Bay Resort. Hotel Solamar's Very Important Pet program offers treats, dog beds, food and water bowls and additional services. Loews offers treats, a pet tag and bowl, as well as a "Su'ruff Camp" doggie surf lesson with board shorts and a bandana for the pet. Go to tripadvisor.com.
CELEBRATE WINE: As Temecula's Wine Country celebrates California Wine Month in September, a stay-and-sip package is available for those who wish to make a midweek excursion of it. The package is $269 and includes two California Wine Month passports, which gives passholders a full tasting flight and five wineries; an overnight stay in a deluxe villa at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa; a bottle of wine in-room; a welcome gift of two tasting flights at South Coast Winery; and a passport discount booklet. The package is available in September for stays Sunday through Thursday. Go to www.temeculawines.org or call 800-801-9463.
FEELING BLUE: Through September, whale lovers can keep an eye out for blue whale spouts, as the San Diego Natural History Museum and H&M Landing report a gaggle of sightings on the blue whale nature cruises. In addition to blue whales, boaters may see minke, finback and humpback whales, harbor seals, sea lions, dolphins and pelagic birds. Trips leave at 10 a.m. Sundays and Thursdays; cruises are $80 for adults. Go to hmlanding.com or call 619-222-1144.
RANCHO LAS PALMAS SAVINGS: Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage is offering summer savings through September, with rates starting at $119 midweek and $159 weekends. Guests can also save 50 percent on a third night, or receive the fourth night free. Go to rancholaspalmas.com or call 800-423-1195.
WINE WEEKEND: The Hotel del Coronado will present its inaugural Wine Weekend from Sept. 10 to 12, which is limited to 32 guests. For $900, wine enthusiasts receive two nights at the hotel (Sept. 10 and 11), daily breakfast buffet at Sheerwater, and entry to the following: ENO-Versity with David Corey, Connoisseur Dinner with David Corey and ENO-Versity with David Ramey. Go to hoteldel.com or call 800-HOTEL-DEL.
FUN IN THE SUN: Zephyr Cove Resort in Lake Tahoe is inviting guests to have "Wet Fun in the Sun" with its package, which must be booked by Sept. 10 for stays Sunday through Thursday. The package starts at $564 and includes two nights in a studio cabin or lodge room, tickets for two on the M.S. Dixie II Emerald Bay Sightseeing Cruise, a double jet ski rental for one hour and a tandem parasailing flight. Go to www.zephyrcove.com or call 866-761-6240; use the code WETFUNSUN.
SEAL OF A DEAL: La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla is offering a one-night Seal of a Deal package for $329. The package includes a one-night stay in a partial ocean-view room; admission for four to the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla; and a picnic lunch for up to four people, which can be enjoyed while watching the seals at the Children's Pool. There is no expiration for the package; go to www.lavalencia.com or call 800-451-0772.
SURF EXPERIENCE: The Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach is offering a "Billabong Surf Experience" package through March 31 starting at $279 for a courtyard view room or $350 for a waterfront room. The package includes accommodations, a two-hour Billabong surf lesson (includes a board and wetsuit), a bar of surf wax, "Endless Summer" on DVD and access to the fitness studio. Go to www.shorebreakhotel.com.
WINE DINNER PACKAGES: The Temecula Creek Inn is hosting the last wine dinner in its "Salute to Southern California Wine" series on Oct. 15 (read about the dinner in the food briefs at nctimes.com/food); and for diners who would like to stay overnight, "A Salute to Wine Country" package is available from $319 per night. The overnight package includes wine dinner for two and two sets of touring/tasting tickets. Go to temeculacreekinn.com or call 951-587-1465.
LOCAL COUPLE PUT TRAVELS ON DVD: North County couple Barry and Corinne Smedley, who put on live travel shows at area senior facilities, have documented their travels with a collection of DVDs that are available on Amazon.com for $12.95, plus shipping and handling. The Smedleys have created DVDs on trips to Israel and Great Britain; they are working in Alaska for the summer. Go to amazon.com and type "Travel with Barry & Corinne" in the search bar.
Contact Travel Editor Lindsey Besecker at 760-839-3342 or lbesecker@nctimes.com.
