February 9, 2010

Northern California Getaways of the Week

Local Getaways: Northern California Travel Deals - Getaway Guru Local Getaways: Northern California Travel Deals - Getaway Guru

Garden Getaways

I have a confession to make. If I didn’t have to visit Northern California’s botanical gardens and preserves to review them for my travel guides, I probably never would have learned how amazing the places are. Until I actually visited the spectacular Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park and the mind-blowing Cornerstone Festival of Gardens in Sonoma Valley, I never realized how... entertaining the world of botany can be.

If you’re already a fan of gardens, you won’t need encouraging, but for all you too-cool-for-tulips types, trust me: A getaway to any of these five botanical gardens will turn your thumbs green in no time. Read full article >>

This Week's Best Local Hotel Deals

Wine Country

Napa Valley Lodge, Napa Valley

from
$169
  
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Come experience the magic and romance of Mustard Season in Yountville, home of the Napa Valley Mustard Festival. Book now for special Mustard Festival weekday rates starting at just $169 Sun-Thu. Includes 20% off spa treatments, complimentary wine upon arrival, and much more!

Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa, Santa Rosa

from
$79
up to 25% OFF
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Rates from $79 on weekdays with weekend & holiday rates from $99 at the Flamingo Resort & Spa. Or enjoy a romantic VALENTINE’S DAY PACKAGE for $219 per couple that includes a King room, 4-course dinner, and breakfast buffet. Both offers include discount spa services and more.

Carmel Valley

Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley

from
$265
up to 45% OFF
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Enjoy four-star accommodations and service for nearly half the price! Book now to get this special offer of $265 per night plus tax, which includes: complimentary glass of wine at check-in, in-room wine grotto, chef’s selection welcome amenity, WiFi, eucalyptus steam and sauna, bocce, croquet, and tennis.

San Francisco

Villa Florence, San Francisco

from
$129
up to 40% OFF
More Info
One of our top-selling hotel deals! Stay in luxury and style on Union Square for only $129 a night at the fabulous Villa Florence. Deal includes two tickets on Grayline Tours’ “Skyview City Tour” PLUS a VIP welcome amenity upon arrival.

Hotel Abri, San Francisco

from
$99
up to 40% OFF
More Info
See SF in style with this exclusive LG deal: Only $99 (including weekends!) for deluxe lodgings amidst Union Square’s shops, dining, and Theatre District. Or for Valentine’s weekend, splurge on an Urban Suite w/FeatherBorne Bed and state-of-the-art amenities for only $30 more.

Lake Tahoe

Horizon Casino Resort, Lake Tahoe

from
$59
up to 15% OFF
More Info
Ski & Gaming Special! Stay in the heart of South Lake Tahoe at Horizon Casino and enjoy 15% off published rates, starting at $59 per night. Offer even includes discount ski lift tickets and $15 of free play for new Player’s Club members.

Monterey Bay

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, Monterey

from
$139
up to 25% OFF
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Here’s a fantastic deal at one of the finest spa hotels on the coast: Only $139 (including weekends!) for a Inland View room, or $295 for an Ocean View room plus $25 resort credit. Ideal Cannery Row location is perfect for an activity-packed couples or fun family getaway. Limited rooms so book now!

Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay Lodge

Package Deal!
$189
  
More Info
Wow! UNLIMITED GOLF Stay & Play Package at the Half Moon Bay Lodge. Stay 2 nights & play unlimited golf for 3 days at the Half Moon Bay Golf Links’ two 18-hole championship golf courses. This exclusive offer includes room upgrade, dinner, golf cart, shuttle service, breakfast, and more!
For many more fantastic hotel deals throughout Northern California, click that big red button to your right >>
Local Getaways - Activities & Events - SF Beer Week

SF Beer Week
February 5-14, San Francisco
Know any good beer-drinking songs? Well, spend this week in San Francisco drowning your troubles and love woes and you may just learn a few! The San Francisco Brewers Guild presents the much-awaited SF Beer Week, featuring many events in the greater Bay Area for 10 whole days. Learn all about malt & hops, how to make your own home brew, cooking ideas on how to utilize beer other than guzzling, and taste thousands of varieties of the luscious elixir that fuels frat houses and spare tires across the globe. media@sfbeerweek.org; www.sfbeerweek.org

Local Getaways: Northern California Travel Deals - Events - An Afternoon of Chocolate and Sparkling Wine at Bernardus Lodge

An Afternoon of Chocolate & Sparkling Wine at Bernardus Lodge
February 13-14, Carmel Valley
Head to the uber-romantic Bernardus Lodge Valentine’s Day weekend for some love-themed events. On Saturday, join pastry chef Ben Spungin for a demonstration of his favorite delectable treats, and make your own box of handmade chocolate truffles to enjoy. Lunch will be served while you also get educated about essential oils & herbs by a famous & local owner of an apothecary. Stay through Sunday, and indulge in all things chocolate while sipping bubbly! From spiced hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows to flourless chocolate cake, this weekend is sure to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth! 831/658-3400; www.bernardus.com


Local Getaways - Activities & Events - Cakebread Cellars - Romance & Chocolate

Cakebread Cellars - Romance & Chocolate
February 13, Napa
Nothing beats Cakebread Cellar wines, so why not enjoy them while taking a cooking class with your sweetie? Head to upvalley Napa to celebrate the holiday by sipping some rare wine vintages, cooking a perfect California cuisine meal together, and top the day off with a sinful dessert assortment provided by the TCHO chocolate-maker, Brad Kintzer. Eat, drink and be merry in the Napa Valley this Valentine's Day! 800/588-0298; www.cakebread.com

Local Getaways - Activities & Events - Opera San Jose: The Marriage of Figaro

Opera San Jose: The Marriage of Figaro
February 6-21, San Jose
"Figaro, Figaro, Figaro..." If Mozart is your man and you’re in the need of some cultural enlightenment, get tickets now for the Opera San Jose’s performance of Mozart’s, The Marriage of Figaro. A classic and beautiful score, with plenty of comedy-relief infused, this performance will have you laughing and singing until your hearts content. No need to be fluent in Italian, don’t fret… English subtitles will be featured for those that need translation. 408/437-4450 www.operasj.org

More Events

ATTENTION SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS!
Are you fed up with long weekend lift lines and brutal Sunday traffic when driving home from Tahoe? Then have we got a deal for you! Join our new LocalGetaways Sunday-Monday Ski Club and you’ll never have to wait in lift lines or traffic again. We’ve partnered with the 4-Diamond Resort at Squaw Creek to create an exclusive Sunday-Monday ski package at a price that nobody can beat.

Here’s how it works: On 5 Sunday-Monday stays throughout the ski season—Feb 21-22; Mar 7-8; Apr 11-12—the Resort at Squaw Creek is offering a very special offer of only $159 ($189 for February date) for a Deluxe Forest View Guestroom—a 45% discount off their standard rate. They’ve also included a Guaranteed Late Checkout of 4pm on Monday so you can ski all day, head back to your room to clean up and pack, and take the traffic-free highway to home.

But wait, it gets better: They’re even including FREE valet parking, so upon arrival on Sunday they’ll park your car and store your luggage so you can head immediately to the resort’s exclusive Squaw Valley ski lift. You’ll be on the mountain in minutes!

Additional Sunday-Monday Ski Club perks include:
  • Discounted Lift Tickets to Alpine Meadows w/free shuttle service
  • 2 for 1 Group Ski Lessons at Squaw Valley
  • Half-price Demo Rentals at Squaw Creek Sports
  • 2 for 1 Ski/Board Hot Wax at Squaw Creek Sports
  • 10% off food in Sandy’s Pub
  • 20% off any Spa Treatment
  • 10% off retail purchases at Imprints or Squaw Creek Sports
Book Now

JOIN NOW!
How do you join our Sunday-Monday Ski Club? It’s easy—just book any room night during our special Ski Club dates and you’re automatically a card-carrying member with access to all of our member discounts. So pull out your day-planner right now and choose the Sunday-Mondays you want to ski this season (you can even book all five in advance!), then either click on the red Book Now button to the right to book online, or call the Resort at Squaw Creek at 800/327-3353 and request the "Sunday-Monday Ski Club" special offer. Rooms at this phenomenal rate are limited, so book now.

ATTENTION SKIERS with PETS!
Wag Hotels, located in West Sacramento right off of I-80 on the way to Tahoe, is offering a special promotion exclusively for members of our Sunday-Monday Ski Club: 25% off their 24-hour boarding fee, a 2-for-1 All-Day Play deal, and a free room upgrade. In less than 15 minutes you can drop your dog or cat off at Wag Hotels and continue on your way to Lake Tahoe! For more information or to make a reservation call 888/924-5463 and ask for the "Sunday-Monday Ski Club Special Offer". Note: Offer available only during Sunday-Monday Ski Club promo dates. Also available at Wag Hotel San Francisco location as well. Must present Sunday-Monday Ski Club member card upon checkout. Based on availability; restrictions may apply.

Win a San Francisco Getaway!

Sign up for our Local Travel Newsletter and a chance to win our Local Getaways - Newsletter SignupFebruary Getaway Giveaway: A romantic 2-night getaway package to the Crescent San Francisco near Union Square, including a couples massage, private cocktail mixology class, and parking (a $925 value!)
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Winery of the Month

Artiste Impressionist Winery and Tasting Studio
Local Getaways - Frommers Spotlight - ArtisteWhen visiting down- town Healdsburg, a visit to Artiste tasting studio is a must. Winemaker Bion Rice blends grapes from different varietals, regions, and vintages to create his own unique works of art, which he refers to as "Impressionist Cuvees". The tasting studio doubles as a working art studio fashioned in the Impressionist era when painting was at its peak. On any given day you may see a professional artist painting a new wine label, and you can even approach the canvas yourself and try your hand with a brush and paint.

Mention LocalGetaways and receive 2 for 1 wine tasting ($10 value) PLUS 10% discount on wine purchases. Tasting hours: Thursday-Monday 11am-5:30pm

Click here to view a short video.