Archive for September, 2008

Pet Friendly San Diego Vacation Rentals

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

Hoping to travel and getaway from it all but want to bring your best friend beach side with you? If you’re visiting San Diego, it can be difficult to find a great location, in a nice place, that EVERY member of your family can go to. Here are some tips on deciding where to stay and how to travel with your pet that is along for the ride.

Tip #1: Most hotels won’t accommodate your cat and dog, so it can become a daunting task to find a place for Fido. My suggestion – find a great San Diego vacation rental provider like Penny Realty. These comfortable pet-friendly rentals offer the perfect fit for you and your family.

Tip #2: After finding a place for your pet, the next step is to call ahead to make sure that your mode of transportation can accommodate an animal. Only some airlines authorize pets. Some airlines allow small pets in passenger cabins if they fit in a carrier no larger than 21″ x 18″ x 8″ high that can be kept under the seat. Larger pets must travel unaccompanied as air freight. You will need to make a reservation, so check with your airline well in advance.

Tip #3: Car trips can be hazardous to your pet; you don’t want Mr. Whiskers flying through the minivan at a sudden stop. You should secure your cat-carrier with a seatbelt. There are also special harnesses for dogs that can act as seat belts. These measures can ensure that you arrive at your San Diego vacation rental safely.

Tip #4: Avoid a tragic circumstance, never leave your windows rolled all the way up. This could cause heatstroke. Always leave at least two windows slightly open for air circulation. Also consider a solar powered fan that fits in the window.

Tip #5 Being away from home and in a new territory can cause angst and whimpering. Remember to bring objects for your dog or cat – a fetch toy, a special pillow, a favored blankie, this will help provide comfort and entertainment while out sight-seeing.

Following all these tips should make for smooth sailing when it comes to planning your vacation. Beach side San Diego vacation rentals might just be a perfect trip for all members of the family… even the furry ones.

Ailments? San Diego Vacation Rentals Could Help Health

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

Top 6 Health Benefits for People Living on the Beach

Recently, studies have shown the mental and physical benefits of a beach stay. Some of the best beaches combined with the country’s greatest weather are found in San Diego. Vacation Rentals in San Diego are a perfect retreat or getaway from a stressful season and can improve your health and well being. Here are the top 6 health benefits of staying on the beach:

  1. Beach Sounds: Research has shown that the rhythms of surf help sooth the brain into a relaxed state. Find a San Diego vacation rental within earshot of the pattern of the ocean’s breaking waves.
  2. Walks on the beach: Walking barefoot allows for a wider range of hip movement and more flexibility of the glute and hamstring muscles, which gives people more ability to touch their toes when their knees are held stiff, as well as greater flexor strength. Going barefoot can actually help prevent vein problems. Why? The motion you get from your unrestricted foot helps the leg muscles pump blood back to the heart. The motion may not be as effective if your foot is confined in a shoe.
  3. Warm Sun and Skin Conditions: Sunshine is a main source of vitamin D. Inadequate levels of vitamin D are associated with several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis and Crohn ’s disease. Along with a good sunscreen, the sun can prove very relaxing and healthy.
  4. Fresh Air: Did you know that the ocean breeze is filled with negative ions? These ions increase our body’s ability to absorb oxygen and help balance serotonin levels, which stabilizes and calms your mood.
  5. Sand and Surf for Sore Bones: Beach houses offer a plethora of activities. From volleyball to surfing, it’s all in your backyard. In many cases, these exercises are proven to be more forgiving on your joints. Swimming and sand activites are great exercise alternatives for sore joints. Unlike hard gym/court surfaces, sand allows for better exercise conditions.
  6. Seawater: Seawater contains all of the 89 known elements present in our bodies, including osmium, gold, vanadium, zinc, and iodine. The magnesium content of seawater is significant enough to have a nutritional and calming effect on our nerves, which explains why sea bathing is so relaxing.

Not all of us are lucky enough to live in a beach house in Southern California, but you can have an amazing beach vacation simply by booking a San Diego vacation rental. For those that do take a beach vacation, there are many health benefits that show a greater chance of living a calmer, less stressful life.

How to Rent a San Diego Vacation Rental

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

With Penny Realty, finding the perfect San Diego vacation rental is easy and so is the renting process. If you’re curious to know just how the whole process works, here is a quick reference guide for what you can expect.

Choosing a Property

You can view detailed information on each of our Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and San Diego vacation rentals at www.missionbeach.com. For each property, there is a rate calculator feature, which will help you estimate the cost of your vacation. The exact cost will be determined with your vacation agent prior to confirmation of your booking.

When you have found the property you want, you can request a reservation using the provided form. Once you have sent in your request, a Penny Realty agent will contact you to confirm details, finalize your registration and payment and set-up a check-in time.

Checking In / Out

On the day of your arrival, you will need to check in with the Penny Realty office. Check in time is 3:00pm and check out time is 10:00am.  It is necessary to enforce these times as units must be cleaned and minor maintenance done between vacationers.

If you need to check in outside of Penny Realty office hours (5:30pm weekdays and 5:00pm weekends), special arrangements can be made with your agent for obtaining keys.

That’s it! If you have a specific question about our San Diego vacation rentals, please call Penny Realty at (800) 748-6704. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am until 5:30pm and  Saturday 9:00am until 5:00pm. Sunday hours are 9:00am until 5:00pm June through August and 10:00am until 3:00pm September through May. Our agents would be happy to help you with any vacation rental questions you may have.

San Diego Vacation Rentals vs. San Diego Hotels

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

San Diego vacation rentals and hotels offer a similar service but vastly different experiences. When planning a trip for your family or friends, it is easy to get into the mode of “airplane + hotel + car rental,” which many booking engines currently offer in order to appear efficient. You may find yourself stuck in that frame of mind and then forget about all the lodging options made available in your favorite destination. An easy way to improve your experience, whether it is business travel or a long vacation getaway, is to improve your living situation. Rentals, like Penny Realty San Diego vacation rentals, offer travelers far more amenities than most major hotels.

  • In San Diego, Mission Beach vacation rentals are locally owned, unlike some corporate-owned hotel conglomerates. These rentals are more comfortable and friendly than most of their upscale hotel counterparts.
  • With a rental house you are given a full kitchen and multiple bedrooms, making your stay spacious, convenient and comfortable. Many hotels are unable to provide these vast facilities and amenities, such as hot tubs, pools, outdoor grill and living area.
  • Location, location, location! A big plus over hotel stays are the great locations that the rental properties offer. A good San Diego vacation rental can offer you your own personal doorway to the beach. Many of these homes are set back from the busy streets and thoroughfares (where hotels dominate) letting you drift off to sleep listening to the ocean waves, not the ice machine.
  • Instead of the cookie cutter hotel room, you have a chance to immerse yourself in the true local culture. In a San Diego vacation rental, it is more likely that you will be able to embrace the culture of the local area. Penny Realty’s properties are often within walking distance to beaches, clubs, farmers markets and other fun activities.
  • If you are traveling with a large group of people, a rental home just might be the best option. The houses are a much better fit than the two bed hotel rooms. Families, friends or couples are much better off in a sizable location and you can better share the homey ambiance of vacation rentals versus the hustle and bustle of a hotel.
  • These rentals are also tailor made for long stays, offering spacious options to the oftentimes claustrophobic hotel room. The prices are comparable with extended stay travelers, so you can have a fun vacation or a long business stay.

Here, Penny Realty’s San Diego vacation rentals are the best option for a fun, relaxing and unique stay. For more information on vacation rentals in Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and other San Diego areas, visit missionbeach.com

San Diego Vacation Rentals Leader

Monday, September 15th, 2008

Penny Realty has been working hard in the San Diego vacation rental business since 1965. Our business headquarters are right on the beach and our building is a beach landmark! We have the largest selection of vacation rentals in San Diego, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach and take pride in the exceptional service we provide.

The entire property management staff is extremely well qualified with many years of experience in the industry. Providing the best customer service is of utmost importance and we know that positive relationships and experiences make for the most success.

A trusted leader in San Diego vacation rentals and property management, Penny Realty is the best place on the Internet to find and book a variety of fantastic San Diego vacation homes and condos. Look through our San Diego vacation rental listings to see for yourself. You won’t be dissapointed!