Posts Tagged ‘san diego vacation rentals’

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.

Enjoy Your Spring Break with a San Diego Vacation Rental

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Spring is here! Getting a group vacation rental in San Diego truly is a part of creating an unforgettable spring break. Right now, San Diego is warming up and offering a great chance to soak up the sun and enjoy the laid back SoCal hot spots and beach bars. Here are some suggestions for springbreakers wanting to make the most out of their break.

Belmont Park/Mission Beach
Belmont Park offers a classic laid back beach experience. Off the breezy sandy coast are a dozen rides, amusement park games, shops and oceanfront restaurants and an idyllic white wooden roller coaster (the park’s most distinctive attraction). San Diego’s historic beachfront amusement park, located beside Mission Beach, is a perfect noon escape. Causally enjoy amusement park rides and relaxe on the beach in the evening with a bon fire. Belmont Park is also the nation’s first amusement park to feature the FlowRider, a simulated wave attraction in the Wave House. If the outdoor tides aren’t you thing, there is also Plunge, built in 1925, is the largest indoor public swimming pool in Southern California.

Pacific Beach
Locally referred to as PB, it has been described as “an event in itself; ocean, boardwalk, parks.”
Pacific Beach is one of the main centers of nightlife in San Diego offering concerts, bars and beaches. Garnet Ave between Ingraham St and Mission Blvd is the main area where bars and restaurants are located. Check out the PB Bar and Grill, the Firehouse, Canes, The Tavern, Typhoon Saloon or Mondoggies. There are also a good selection of medium sized bars and a few smaller ‘locals’ places such as PB Pub and The Silver Fox. Pacific Beach’s sidewalks are filled younger, college-oriented crowds compared to downtown San Diego. Unlike downtown, dress codes are rarely enforced, if at all.

Gaslamp
The Down town Gaslamp Quarter does have a dress code but also a great selection of clubs. According to gaslamp.org, the area is home to more than 150 restaurants, coffeehouses and nightclubs and has nearly another hundred unique shops and galleries. If dress codes are too constricting for you, then you might want to opt for the Hilcrest district, filled with upscale restaurants, bars and night clubs.

Tijuana
If you are look for a more traditional/crazy spring break experience, TJ is a short distance from San Diego. Staying in San Diego is a great way to avoid lagging standards of hotels or food in foreign countries but still enjoy the wild parties that can only happen in Mexico.

Tijuana is the world’s most-visited border city. You can check the Department of State website for the latest information, but until things improve, we should caution visiting Tijuana alone. If you want to go, the best thing to do is take a guided tour.

San Diego Events: Mardi Gras Meets America’s Past Time

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

As always, San Diego is full of activity. This week, the beloved Gaslamp District is bustling with action. Here are some great things to do downtown this week.

The Gaslamp’s annual Mardi Gras celebration is housed in one huge festival area, the event is gated, ticketed and only for 21 and up. Beginning at 6 until Midnight, there are two parades at 7:30 and 10 p.m. with strolling dancers, drummers and street performers treating the audiences to all the Mardi Gras revelry and beads. Cajun, Creole and other vendors line the streets, along with craft and bead booths. Three stages of live entertainment will also be in full swing featuring traditional Zydeco, blues, retro, house music and more.

The tickets prices start at $20, but for $40 you can upgrade to VIP, including entry to special locations and lounges at 10 Gaslamp nightlife hotspots. There are also $30 tickets available that include dinner at several downtown eateries.

Partygoers have 4 ways to get tickets this year:

  • Advance tickets on-line – quick & easy, print at home, no waiting.
  • Ciro’s Pizza (Tickets will be available at this location on Friday Feb 6, 2009)
  • F Street Bookstore
  • Buy your ticket at F Street Bookstore and get 20% off any one item.

Questions? Call at 619.233.5227, or visit the official Gas Lamp Mardi Gras site.

In early March, San Diego will host the The World Baseball Classic. This international baseball tournament features many of the best baseball players from around the world. It occurs every 4 years and for 6 days, the games will take place at Petco Park in San Diego! See your favorite players represent their home teams!

Penny Realty has a number of San Diego Vacation Rentals around the area and near the Gaslamp District. This Southern Cali city is a perfect place to kick back and enjoy the beach and local area. With year-round perfect weather and events, right now is a perfect time to book your vacation for spring.

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.

Pet Friendly Vacation Rentals: Websites, Restaurants and More!

Saturday, January 31st, 2009

Going on vacation and hoping to bring the WHOLE family (yes, including the dog)? After some research I have found that there are a few great sites for pet owners who travel.  Take a look at some of the links below:

PetCast (www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/pets)
This is a fun little tool! It can be used to see how the weather could affect your animal and even helps schedule the days best outing times. Seems like San Diego provides great weather year round for not only humans, according to the pet index tomorrow is: a 4-paw out of 5-paw day, with low mosquito level and the perfect time to walk your dog would be from 6 am to 4 pm.

Fido in Flight (www.petflight.com/airlines)
This is another blog that has gone through all the trouble of accumulating and organize pet regulations for the airport. Browse through the airlines on this site before you book a flight to make sure you can take your dog and cat along for your vacation. It covers everything from pet carry-ons to containers.

San Diego Vacation Rentals (www.missionbeach.com)
Penny Realty has a great selection of pet friendly vacation rentals in San Diego. With such a large selection, rentals range in size and cost, and are perfect for your canine or feline friend. In addition, all our pet-friendly vacation rentals are located near great spots for your family, with plenty of activities, dog-friendly beaches and parks.

The Dancing Dog Deli (novusjuicebaranddeli.com)
Grab some grub for you and your best friend! This Little Italy cafe in San Diego is a great pet boutique where downtown dog-lovers can unite. Get a tasty sandwich and you can pick up some canine treats for your loving pet; just don’t get the little brown bags mixed up!

Enjoying such a pet-friendly vacation will definitely make for one happy pet!

San Diego Vacation Rental Offers 5-Star Properties

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

San Diego Pier Cafe in Seaport Village

Take your vacation to the next level with five star San Diego vacation rentals near the beach, or in upscale districts like the Gaslamp Quarter and Seaport Village. These locations offer elegant restaurants, luxury boutique shops and a truly charming atmosphere.

Along with a prime location, you can also enjoy private amenities such as a Jacuzzi or state-of-the-art grill, on-site washer and dryers, a stocked kitchen and bed linens and towels. Browse our listings to view various features of these upscale  rentals.

Our five star San Diego vacation rental properties also offer facilities such as an attached two car garage (for ease in parking and storing) and your choice of spacious indoor dining at a table or bar, or outdoors on the patio and deck tables.  They are beautifully decorated, fully stocked, furnished and well maintained for your comfort and enjoyment.

Take an opportunity to barbecue while relaxing on the open deck of a beautiful downtown residence. High ceilings, beautiful views with broad windows and Dutch entry doors give our high end vacation rental a bright and airy atmosphere, while French doors in the master bedroom enhance the romance of an ocean view.

Imagine being able to reside at an upscale beach home rental near the sounds of crashing waves and warm surf, smell the ocean air and witness the San Diego sunset.  If you’re looking to spice of your evening, many locations are perfectly situated near the action and excitement of Belmont Park and Pacific Beach nightlife.

At Penny Realty, we cater to our client’s comfort and property needs from the moment they walk in through the door. Our sales associates average 15 years of experience each, with forty percent of these professionals being fully licensed real estate brokers. As a professional management company, we are dedicated to improving the performance and return on each owner’s real estate investment.

Bustling Season in San Diego

Saturday, December 20th, 2008

Don’t be such a Grinch! San Diego’s Old Globe Theater is showing “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” directed by the acclaimed Jack O’Brien. This is quickly becoming an annual Christmas tradition here; bring Dr. Seuss’s holiday fable to life.

One of America’s most beloved tales is preformed on a this whimsical stage. Visit Who-ville with production running through Dec. 28 2008. A limited number of VIP seats are available, seating includes upgraded seating, a pre-show drink and a Seuss souvenir. Contact the Box Office at (619) 234-5623 for more information or to purchase VIP seats.

http://www.theoldglobe.org/tickets/production.aspx?PID=6791

Next to the Globe Theater is this year is another Christmas classic for everyone young and old. The San Diego Civic Youth Ballet’s presents a revised Nutcracker. What would the holiday season be with out thought of sugar plum fairies dancing in your head? Located at the Casa del Prado Theater in the beautifully decorated Balboa Park on December 7th, 12th-14th and tickets are $10 & $15

http://showboxoffice.com/index.php?db=sandiego&who=19

When in the area make sure to just wonder around the awe inspiring lights and bustling activity of Balboa Park. This culture hub hosts a plethora of holiday activities during it’s December Nights. Here is a short list of the events:

  • Christmas on the Prado
  • International Cottage Christmas Festival
  • Cascades Holiday Marketplace
  • Palisades Midway-The Ultimate Family Zone!
  • Museums & Cultural Organizations
  • My Ancestor’s Village Sponsored by Barona

For more information on these happenings: http://sandiego.about.com/cs/familyfun/a/dec_nights.htm

These activities truly show the amazing events and family fun that can be brought by a holiday San Diego Vacation Rental. THese events are a perfect fit for families gathering over the Christmas season. For more information check out: www.missionbeach.com

San Diego’s Beach Fire Pits Saved

Friday, December 19th, 2008

Having a beach campfire is one of the many fun and memorable things to do in San Diego year round. If you are spending time at a San Diego vacation rental, it’s a great way to spice up your trip and enjoy the beach – at night!

Thanks to an anonymous donor, San Diego gets to keep this wonderful activity! The beach fire pits were scheduled to be cut from the city’s budget and the city had begun removal last week. However, a “secret santa” stepped up a donated the needed amount of money to keep them.

San Diegans are pleasantly surprised with the news, and are thankful to the anonymous donor for helping to preserve the quality of life in San Diego. For some families, the beach fire rings are a family tradition.

Community groups and members had previously tried to organize to fight the beach pit removal with efforts including an online petition and a web site, savethefirepits.com.

To read the full article, go here.

Want to have your own beach fire? Browse through our San Diego vacation rentals and you just might find the perfect place. Start planning your trip today!

Weather Update: Perfect Time for a Group Vacation Rental!

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

Oh the weather outside is frightful! Trees are frozen over, streets are ice-coated and the mercury is plummeting with negative windchills in many parts of the country. On weather.com, it attributes the conditions to an arctic air mass which has invaded the Northwest, the Rockies and the Plains. Temperatures are bitterly cold (I mean subfreezing, single digit cold)!

In Massachusetts, about 400,000 power customers in New England are still without electricity Monday after an ice storm ravaged the region last week, CNN reports. That’s down from 800,000 Sunday evening and more than a million at the height of the storm. In the Portland Metro areas Monday morning, officials said “sub-freezing temperatures left ice covering main road ways unusable” and is warning drivers to stay off the roads, according to weather.com. Utah has seen deadly avalanches this weekend, with one person that has died and another trapped in a pair of avalanches in the mountains Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

I think this is a great time to mention that San Diego’s temperatures will reach the upper 60s low 70s this weekend. Need I say more? Migrate south and get an affordable group vacation rental. Avoid the bitter, face-numbing ski vacation or scooping pounds of snow off the drive way. San Diego vacation rentals are a perfect escape this holiday from cold reality.