Offers feature ‘Sideways’ locales

Sun., Jan. 16, 2005

Tom Parsons The Dallas Morning News

Low airfares combined with savings on lodging and attractions make a winter trip to California very appealing.

Visitors to Santa Barbara can take advantage of a number of cost-saving offers. “Sideways in Santa Barbara” includes hotel discounts and a self-guided map of locations featured in the wine-country road-trip film “Sideways.” Hotel packages start at $99 a night; most are valid through May 25. Contact: www.santabarbaraca.com.

The Santa Barbara Car-Free Vacation Package encourages visitors to ditch their cars for savings. Request the Car-Free rate when booking your hotel and save 10 to 50 percent plus receive an envelope containing maps and discounts on dining and activities. The offer is valid through 2005. Contact: www.santabarbaracarfree.org.

The Big Sur River Inn has a special rate of $125 per night, which includes lodging, dinner and breakfast for two. The deal is valid Sunday through Thursday through March. Contact: (800) 548-3610; www.bigsurriverinn.com.

Travelers to Monterey get discounts on lodging and activities with the Wild for Nature offer valid for travel through February. Discounts are available at 27 area hotels and for activities such as whale watching. Contact: www.wildfornature .montereyinfo.org/

Free guided whale-watching walks run on weekends through mid-February at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park south of Big Sur. Contact: www.parks.ca.gov.

If you like to pack a lot of popular attractions into your visit, consider buying a Southern California, Hollywood or San Francisco CityPass. Each covers several park admission fees and provides savings of $40 to $77 for adults and $32 to $58 for kids. Contact: www.citypass.com.

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Offers feature ‘Sideways’ locales

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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