Value Watch: Bay Area Travel Deals

Photos courtesy of The Spindrift Inn and Orchard Hotels
Story by Olga Bas

This month, California's prominent Bay Area has a lot to offer to travelers on the look-out for a bargain.

• Spindrift Inn offer: This oceanfront, Monterey inn has recently undergone a complete renovation. Featuring a distinctive four story lobby, its 45 guestrooms have been redesigned, refurnished, and redecorated in order to create "a romantic atmosphere." To celebrate, Spindrift Inn is offering 25% off on all guestrooms. Sunday through Thursday, those overlooking Cannery Row are just $149 per night; oceanfront rooms are just $199 per night. On Friday and Saturday evenings, guestrooms with Cannery Row views are $179 per night; rooms overlooking the ocean are $229 per night. Rates are valid through March 31.

• Orchard Hotels' "Wicked Green" package: To celebrate the return of the acclaimed musical, Wicked, to San Francisco, the very green Orchard and Orchard Garden Hotel are offering a special overnight package for $179. It includes a deluxe guest room at either of the two eco-friendly hotels, complimentary express breakfast, the Wicked soundtrack, and other special goodies (though tickets to the show itself are not included). This offer will be available through the run of the show (now-September 27).

• 'San Francisco Faves' package: This package offers a collection of notable -- and budget-friendly -- activities, dining opportunities and accommodations for The City by the Bay. For $299 per one-night package, you receive a deluxe guest room at the Orchard Hotel, a $100 voucher for lunch or dinner at Scoma’s Restaurant, a seafood heaven, two CityPasses, a booklet of tickets to San Francisco’s best attractions, and unlimited rides on the city’s famous cable cars. If sold separately, the price of the package would be an additional $180.

Money-saving tip: If you're bringing items with you that run on batteries, such as a camera or CD player, consider buying rechargeable batteries for the electronics. Not only will it save on money, but it's better for the environment than the disposable kind; just don’t forget to bring the charger.

Photos courtesy of The Spindrift Inn and Orchard Hotels
Story by Olga Bas

This month, California's prominent Bay Area has a lot to offer to travelers on the look-out for a bargain.

• Spindrift Inn offer: This oceanfront, Monterey inn has recently undergone a complete renovation. Featuring a distinctive four story lobby, its 45 guestrooms have been redesigned, refurnished, and redecorated in order to create "a romantic atmosphere." To celebrate, Spindrift Inn is offering 25% off on all guestrooms. Sunday through Thursday, those overlooking Cannery Row are just $149 per night; oceanfront rooms are just $199 per night. On Friday and Saturday evenings, guestrooms with Cannery Row views are $179 per night; rooms overlooking the ocean are $229 per night. Rates are valid through March 31.

• Orchard Hotels' "Wicked Green" package: To celebrate the return of the acclaimed musical, Wicked, to San Francisco, the very green Orchard and Orchard Garden Hotel are offering a special overnight package for $179. It includes a deluxe guest room at either of the two eco-friendly hotels, complimentary express breakfast, the Wicked soundtrack, and other special goodies (though tickets to the show itself are not included). This offer will be available through the run of the show (now-September 27).

• 'San Francisco Faves' package: This package offers a collection of notable -- and budget-friendly -- activities, dining opportunities and accommodations for The City by the Bay. For $299 per one-night package, you receive a deluxe guest room at the Orchard Hotel, a $100 voucher for lunch or dinner at Scoma’s Restaurant, a seafood heaven, two CityPasses, a booklet of tickets to San Francisco’s best attractions, and unlimited rides on the city’s famous cable cars. If sold separately, the price of the package would be an additional $180.

Money-saving tip: If you're bringing items with you that run on batteries, such as a camera or CD player, consider buying rechargeable batteries for the electronics. Not only will it save on money, but it's better for the environment than the disposable kind; just don’t forget to bring the charger.