Vacations on the Cheap

While many Lodians are refusing to let high prices of gas and airlines tickets keep them from enjoying the summer, others are resorting to taking day and weekend trips to get away without putting too much of a strain on bank accounts and credit cards.

Will Blakely, 18, is driving to Yosemite before he starts his first semester at Cal Poly. He doesn't want to think about the money he'll spend on gas, but says he's going to make it worth the cost by staying for a week.

Lodi resident Elaine Fowler already took a summer day trip to the coast, visiting Monterey and Carmel. Over her 3-day trip, she estimates she drove 400 miles. Still, she says this trip was shorter than she's taken in past years.

As gas and airline ticket prices soar, manager of Lodi's L&L Travel, Bill Mault says more Lodi clients are opting for short trips over Hawaiian and European vacations and long road trips.

"It's kind of what people did in the '50s," Mault said.

Here are some popular destinations that will allow you to fee like you're getting away (even if its just for the day):

Monterey area

What do to: Visit the aquarium, take a whale watching tour, Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, visit tide pools and spend the money you saved by not traveling cross country in a Winnebago.

Lodging for cheap: Mault says in the Monterey area, hotels will run an average of $160 a night. However, there are cheaper options. Motels in Seaside and Monterey will run about $100 a night.

San Francisco

San Francisco offers both the city and sea. (Courtesy photo)

What to do: Museums — Asian Art Museum, de Young Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and more.

Lodging for cheap: Many hotels will run the $200 a night range, but smaller, older hotels in the downtown area will be the best value for $80 to $100 a night.

Tahoe

What to do: Visit North or South Shore, gamble, explore Reno.

Lodging for cheap: Mault recommends both the Best Western Timber Cover Inn ($160 and up a night) and Traveler's Inn and Suite (about $114 a night). In Reno, Reno Motel starts at $65 and Circus Circus starts at $99.

Thinking casinos are going to be cheap and convenient? Think again.

Mault says casinos, which used to offer good deals, aren't so affordable. That is, unless your a big spender and the casino comps your room.

Bodega Bay

Bodega Bay is a popular weekend getaway. (Courtesy photo)

What to do: Camp and enjoy the peacefulness of a Northern California beach.

Lodging: The most inexpensive way is to camp. If that's not your thing, there are plenty of inns, bed and breakfasts and hotels. They aren't too cheap, and they fill quickly.

Itching to get off the main land?

First of all, "Europe is definitely off," said Bill Mault, manager of L&L Travel. The American dollar is so weak in Europe that you'll be paying a fortune for everything from hostels to chunks of cheese.

And, sadly, Hawaii is also out of the question if you're at all attempting to be frugal on vacation.

"People are not traveling to Hawaii," he said. "Once you get to Hawaii, the cost (of everything) is very high because everything has to be brought in by boat."

But don't cry, you wary wanna-be traveler. You'll be rubbing suntan oil on your bikini-sporting self soon enough. Just go south.

Mexico is still a good bargain.

The all-inclusive resorts in beach cities like Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Valarta provide a great deal for American travelers. Not only is the dollar strong in most parts of South America, but the right package will cover your lodging and dining for one price.

South America, Argentina, New Zealand and even China are popular destinations for Americans this summer because the dollar is more valuable there. However, be prepared to pay for the airfare.

Reader Feedback

Edumacation wrote on Jun 11, 2008 8:59 AM:

" VACATIONS ON THE CHEAP--A CRUISE TO MEXICO. Why cruise? Mexico is here. All we need are more chickens and goats. We are de-evolving into the culture of Tijuana. In Los Angeles there are many legal disputes because of goats and chickens in apartments. They are even getting on the freeways. The animal regulation officers are working overtime, yet LA mayor Villaraigosa is concerned that we may not make our visitors from Mexico feel good about themselves. So its okay to roast a goat in your back yard, if you live in Los Angeles -- or Mexico. Its interesting that he changed his name from Tony Villar to Anthony Villaraigosa. His birth name was Villar - his fathers last name. Was it because of politics? I am enjoying my cruise to Mexico right here in Lodi. "

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Edumacation wrote on Jun 11, 2008 8:45 AM:

" re: Vacations on The Cheap - enjoying a summer getaway, from camping to a Mexican cruise". Why pay money to go on a cruise to Mexico, its already here in Lodi. Culture is whats interesting about traveling to other countries. what is to learn about Mexico, its already here. Add some chickens and goats and we are Mexico. I understand Los Angeles has a major problem with farm animals getting on the freeway and annoying neighborhoods. The illegal immigrants are violating city codes so the cAN ACE "

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Cogito wrote on Jun 9, 2008 12:07 PM:

" Journey, thanks for the tip. Now, all I'd have to do is skip a nights sleep to assure slumber, after a few cocktails of course. "

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Journey wrote on Jun 9, 2008 9:41 AM:

" Long flights: Fly Business Class - British Airways - overnight. They have seats that lie flat so you just sleep the whole way. Next thing you know, you've arrived. "

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Journey wrote on Jun 9, 2008 9:39 AM:

" I loved Russia! Did the St. Petersburg to Moscow through 18 locks - Ms Kazan. Now, there's a brand new boat, I hear. Was told we'd hate Moscow but absolutely loved it. It's alive with change and hope and the young people are excited about life! I'd go back in a flash! Same with Cairo and Luxor. Western Europe -- and Australia/New Zealand -- feels just like home. Have to visit at least once, though. "

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Cogito wrote on Jun 8, 2008 11:01 PM:

" My ancestry is from the British Isles and Scandanavia, I'd like to go there and look up relatives. "

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Cogito wrote on Jun 8, 2008 10:57 PM:

" MoradaExPat, Yeah, I have a timeshare in Cabo. Bought it used for almost nothing, now it costs me $500 a year plus airfare to stay in a $450 a day 4 star resort, for 7 days. And YES, I am starting to get bored with it. We took friends this year, we had a blast. My wife and I just bought a vacation home in the Sierras, so my vacations are spoken for, at least for a couple of years. I had a friend who went to Russia last year and had a horrible time, so I'd think I'd pass on that one. I would like to see the others though. I have one big problem, I can't sit in a plane for more than about 5 hours without going nuts. The east coast and Hawaii stretch my sanity. If they could only drug me like they do pets, I might be able to make it. "

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MoradaExPat wrote on Jun 8, 2008 9:12 AM:

" "...Cabo San Lucas for years.." The same place, year after year? There's nothing new to see, nothing new to do, nothing new to learn by returning anywhere on earth "for years." Broaden your horizons -- never visit the same place twice. Yes, it's cheap but life is too short -- and the world is too vast -- to just retrace your steps. If you're bored with Canada, try Egypt, Russia, Turkey, China, or Africa. Fascinating! "

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Cogito wrote on Jun 7, 2008 9:52 PM:

" MoradaExPat, my wife and I have been going to Cabo San Lucas for years, and I have yet to hear about anything happening to anyone, except for one incident of a room break in. I can't speak for the mainland, but CSL is a very safe place. Why do you think so many gringos, especially celebs, are buying homes there and filling their resorts? Plus, trust me, Mexicans are more fun than Canadians. Much of my family are Canadians. "

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MoradaExPat wrote on Jun 7, 2008 8:13 PM:

" How many times can you visit SF, Monterey, Tahoe, Hawaii, or Mexico before you get sick of it? And be sure to check the State Department website before going back to Mexico. Not a very safe place at all. Head up to Canada for the Banff to Jasper experience -- or just explore Vancouver Island. And how about Alaska if you haven't been there before? "

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Gas prices are up. But don't despair. Here are tips on enjoying a summer getaway, from camping to a Mexican cruise

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