Archive for the ‘Travel Deals’ Category

San Diego’s Tourism Industry in 2010

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

San Diego is widely known as one of the country’s prime spots for tourism. Its bright and sunny year-round weather and beautiful, idyllic beaches make for one of the most pleasant vacation destinations during the summer months. Every year, millions of tourists from all over the world go to San Diego to relax and take some time off from work and the stresses of everyday life. Even San Diego has suffered from the decline in U.S. tourism caused by the current economic recession. In the last couple of years, business owners and vacation rentals had to come up with new methods of attracting visitors who are not eager to spend a fortune. For this reason, a San Diego vacation is now not only one of the most enjoyable options, but also an extremely affordable one.

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One of the biggest strategies for many business owners in the tourism sector was to slash prices, and this did indeed give them an increased spike in the number of visitors. But in 2010, price slashing is no longer enough (and no longer viable for many businesses and property owners). Business owners in the tourism sector this year are relying, instead, largely on vacation package deals to attract vacationer’s attention. Unable to carry the loss of severely discounting their prices, vacation rental owners and business are sometimes offering treats like complimentary food and recreational activities for the children. These “added value packages” also include such things as spa treatments, complimentary museum or zoo visits, and extra-night stays.

Is This a Good Sign?

The fact that retailers, vacation home owners and vacation rental agencies that are part of San Diego’s tourism industry are cutting back on bargains and relying instead on other methods of attracting clientele is, in fact, a good sign. It means that San Diego businesses and individuals are comfortable taking risks and banking on the improved state of the country’s economy. This isn’t to say that discounting will end entirely. There will always be discount rates in the areas that cater to visiting tourists, but these discounts will not be as big as they were in the previous two years. A recovering economy means that people should be willing to spend more on vacations, and relying on attractions other than price cuts is a necessary step in weaning tourists from drastic bargain deals.

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Summer Packages and Attractions

Sea World theme park is one of San Diego’s biggest attractions, and one of the many San Diego enterprises that are relying on special package deals to boost sales this summer. Currently, Sea World is offering a special promotion in which visitors can purchase a child’s admission ticket for only $5 when they purchase a regularly priced adult ticket for $69. The $5 child’s ticket is donated to a wildlife conservation group. The theme park is also offering various vacation packages that give visitors access to other San Diego attractions such as the Hornblower Cruises, Old Town trolley tours, and tours of the Midway museum in the San Diego Bay.

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Aside from the attractions that packages and discount rates offered, San Diego is still banking on its many free attractions to keep visitors coming back. The beautiful year-round Mediterranean weather, the beaches and the surf, the historical landmarks and even some of San Diego’s internationally renowned museums are completely free to the public. As the tourism industry wavers shakily towards recovery, these things will continue to attract people to this southern California city.

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San Diego Boat Charters and Tours

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

San Diego is known for it’s laid back atmosphere and unforgettable ocean views. As a result, one particularly popular activity is taking a leisurely ride out into the big blue.  If you’re staying at a San Diego beach rental, a boat tour is the perfect family activity. A wide variety of boat tours from sunset cruises to sailing adventures are available to choose from – there’s even a tour bus that turns into a boat for the ultimate San Diego tour experience!

Hornblower Cruises

Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner at sunset, a whale watching adventure, or a scenic champagne brunch, Hornblower cruises have am excursion for any taste. Hornblower Cruises combine the best of the  San Diego Bay for a one-of-a-kind experience that is not to be missed. Other Hornblower cruises include Sightseeing Harbor Cruises, Sea Lion Adventures, and special cruises for holidays.

Right now for the summer season, Hornblower cruises are offering special San Diego Summer Coupons – $10 off a dinner cruise, $5 off Saturday Brunch Cruise, Cruise Free on Your Birthday and more! Visit www.hornblower.com for more information.

Shelter Island Sailing

For a unique experience, take a sailing charter to the Coronados Islands just 15 miles South of Point Loma.  Spend the afternoon sailing, kayaking, swimming or just relaxing near the boat. Enjoy a beautiful San Diego sunset and sunrise while taking in the San Diego skyline from the sea! Other types of excursions are also available, including sailing lessons. Visit www.shelterislandsailing.com for more information.

San Diego Seal Tour

The San Diego Seal Tour is bus and a boat in one  that tours you through popular city sights, then heads straight into the big bay to see the sea lions, pelicans and more – all without missing a beat! On the Seal Tour, every seat is a good one. The open air tour vehicle allows all guests to enjoy the tour with amazing views and a fun tour guide to keep you entertained as you cruise along. The 90 minute guided tour leaves from Seaport Village, so enjoy breakfast or lunch at this charming shopping area, then board the Seal Tour for the perfect way to round out your San Diego vacation. Visit www.sealtours.com for more information.

Looking for a San Diego vacation rental? Browse our listings at www.missionbeach.com and take advantage of our summer specials!

San Diego Family Vacations on a Budget

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Summer family vacations are a yearly tradition for many, but sometimes a vacation can be overwhelmingly expensive. Good news is, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a great family vacation! There are many tips and tricks, from choosing close to home destinations to varying what activities you do, that will help you save money while still making memories and having fun. Here are a few useful tips that we’ve gathered to help you have a family vacation on a budget that is both fun and affordable.

Transportation:

  • Flying alternative routes, having a flexible schedule, or adding a stop-over can keep ticket prices down. For example, traveling during the off season is typically cheaper than on holidays.
  • Travel close to home – save money by taking a road trip instead of flying somewhere
  • If renting a car, ask about special discounts, or search online for a coupon before renting.
  • If you have  frequent flier miles piled up, or points from a credit card with rewards programs, a family vacation is the perfect time to use them.

Accommodations:

  • For bigger groups, opting for a San Diego vacation rental instead of a hotel can be much more affordable. You can even try splitting costs with another family, for a great group getaway.
  • The summer months always equal special deals for everything from flights to vacation rentals. At Penny Realty, we are currently offering a summer special of $300 off selected properties. Just use the promo code PENNY09 when booking.
  • Bring snack foods and/or cook your own meals instead of eating out for every meal
  • If eating out, choose places with kids menus

Activities:

  • When going out for activities, don’t forget to ask about kid prices or family discount
  • Alternate paying activities with free ones – parks, beach, tours, nature walks, etc.
  • Choose family friendly destinations that are close to many attractions. Mission Beach is a great example as it is close to the beach, grassy parks, Belmont Park/Boardwalk and Balboa Park, which features free museum days, and the botanical gardens.
  • Before you go, start a “vacation fund” by cutting out little things like trips to fast food places, gourmet coffee, or other splurges and putting that money towards your fund instead.

Find Everything You Wanted to Know about San Diego on the San Diego Wiki Page!

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Looking for more information on San Diego? DiscoverSD.com has officially launched the San Diego Wiki page. Whether you’ve been living in San Diego for years, or if you’re staying for a week at a San Diego vacation rental, you’ll find a wealth of useful information on everything from history to festivals to transporation. The best part is, since it is a Wiki page, registered users can also submit thier own content or edit what’s already there. Check out this ultimate resource for San Diego living at sandiegowiki.discoversd.com.

Tips on Booking San Diego Vacation Rentals for Summer

Friday, February 13th, 2009

It may be winter still, but now is the perfect time to start booking your San Diego vacation rental for the summer. Why? The early bed gets the worm. At Penny Realty, we have a wide selection of beautiful vacation rentals to choose from, but if there’s one you’ve had your eye on for a while, chances are someone else has their eye on it too. In fact, some people have already started booking!

Booking your San Diego vacation rental early gives you a much better chance of getting the property and location you want and it helps eliminate all the headaches of last minute rushing. For example, beachfront or beach access properties typically go much quicker.

Thinking about your summer vacation rental early is also a good idea because it gives you time to choose the property that best fits your needs. How many people will be staying? Do you want a pool or a bbq? Are you bringing a pet? Do you want to be close to the beach or downtown?

The Penny Realty website makes it easy to find the perfect San Diego vacation rental. You can browse through our listings for luxury vacation rentals, pet-friendly vacation rentals, group vacation rentals and more.  And if you have any specific questions about renting from Penny Realty, contact us and we’ll be glad to help! To start on your search now, visit our site at www.missionbeach.com.

Travel News: Valentines Day

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

For all you procrastinators out there, it might be a little late to book a flight and treat you significant other to beach get away. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start preparing for a perfect vacation for a Val’s-day gift! What could be a better Valentines Day gift than a vacation this summer off of a warm Pacific beach? If you plan wisely this Valentines Day you could take advantage of some great travel deals.

One deal, perfect for this season, is from FTD flowers. A person can earn 25 miles per $1.00 spent on flowers for your loved one from FTD.com. This is a great way to send your true feelings with FTD’s selection of beautiful, hand-crafted, hand-delivered red roses. They also offer spa sets, chocolates among other things. On their Web site, FTD offers same day delivery and satisfaction guaranteed (http://www.ftd.com/united25/?campaign_id=Caravan7175).

Check your credit card’s points program, if you receive points by using your card, then treat your loved one, friends, or yourself, to dinner on Valentine’s Day. Whether you dine out or have take-out for a cozy evening at home, remember you can earn a ton of points for travel by using these programs.

Some mileage programs like United Miles will also give you extra points for eating out at select dining locations. They will  give more points when you create an online profile and dine at your favorite spot (http://mpdining.rewardsnetwork.com/bonus.htm).

You might not have had enough time to plan a romantic destination on V-Day, but with some savvy choices and great about deals, you might be able to plan romantic summer vacation at a beautiful San Diego vacation rental.