San Diego Helps You Beat the High Price of Gas

A recent news story in my area stated that Americans are finding ways to keep on traveling this summer in spite of rising gas price. One way is by traveling closer to home. Another is by looking for extra value in our destinations.

San Diego must have had the same news story, because they are enticing travelers by offering savings on gas along with many other great values. Here are their suggestions and offers that are too good to pass up. Some may be subject to availability, restrictions and black-out dates, or require a promotion code at the time of reservation.

Hotel Packages Offering Free Gas

Marriott Gaslamp: the Summer Sizzle Package, with rates starting at $279, includes one entry for a drawing for a $1,000 gas card, a $25 gas card, complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two and a 10-15 percent discount at the major San Diego sights like SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo. Promotion code EB5. www.marriott.com/sangl

Paradise Point Resort & Spa on Mission Bay: the Fuel for Fun package, with rates starting at $249 per night, is offering visitors a $100 gas card issued at check-out and free parking with a qualified four night stay. Promotion code FREGAS. www.paradisepoint.com/packages&offers.

Hilton San Diego-Del Mar: the Gas & Go package, with rates that are $30 more than the best available rate at time of reservation, includes a $25 gas card issued at check-in, free parking and complimentary buffet breakfast for two. www.sandiegodelmarhilton.com/specials&packages

Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego Downtown: the Stay & Play package, with rates ranging from $204-$304 per night, offers a $25 gas card, issued at check-out, for each night of a guest's stay, with a minimum two-night stay. Promotion code ZZ1. www.residenceinn.com/sanph

Loews Coronado Bay Resort & Spa: the Money for Miles package, with rates ranging from $289-$429 per night, includes a gas credit of up to $50 off the hotel bill for receipts submitted at check-out that are dated during, or one day prior to, the stay, complementary self-parking and a list of the least expensive gas stations in the area. www.loewshotels.com/specialoffers

Go Car Free

The walkable layout of downtown San Diego gives you another option. Leave your car at home, stay in downtown San Diego, and enjoy a weekend free from any pain at the pump. San Diego International Airport is located downtown, about a ten minute cab or bus ride, from most downtown area hotels. The more than 44 hotels that are clustered downtown provide a wide range of choice. Neighborhoods like Little Italy, the East Village and the waterfront Embarcadero are great places to stroll, shop and dine. The historic Gaslamp Quarter alone offers over 100 restaurants, 35 bars and nightclubs and dozens of charming boutiques. Art and cultural options include the USS Midway Museum, Maritime Museum of San Diego, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, New Children's Museum, Balboa Theater, San Diego Repertory Theater, San Diego Opera and San Diego Symphony. And, you can get back to your hotel via downtown’s people powered pedi-cabs. www.san.org

Ride The Rails

Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner trains pull into San Diego's downtown Santa Fe Depot 12 times daily. This route offers travelers scenic views of the Southern California coastline and easy connections at Los Angeles' iconic Union Station with points beyond. www.amtrak.com

The red San Diego Trolley is an easy, cost-effective way to get around town. You can use it to get to the international border, downtown San Diego, Mission Valley and Fashion Valley shopping centers, Little Italy, Old Town, select East County communities and Amtrak's Santa Fe Depot. It also connects with MTS's Airport Service Bus Route 992. www.sdcommute.com

The North County Transit District's Coaster trains connect downtown San Diego and Old Town with some of the most charming beach communities, including Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside, Monday through Saturday. www.gonctd.com

The Beach

When you want to go to the beach, hop aboard the San Diego Bay-Coronado Ferry at Broadway Pier for a 20 minute cruise across scenic San Diego Bay. Here you’ll find small town charm along manicured Ocean Avenue, at the historic Hotel del Coronado and on Coronado Beach, consistently voted the Top Family Beach in North America by the Travel Channel. www.sdhe.com

The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau, 619-236-1212, www.sandiego.org

Photos courtesy of Joanne DiBona

Edited by Ellen Schofield