Bound for L.A. anytime soon? Redondo Beach—located just south of the city proper—is a solid choice for families that's not as pricey as Santa Monica, but still with plenty of charm. After all, this strip of coastline was once the Beach Boys’ home turf (and surf). Today it’s chock-a-block with shops, restaurants, and a fun beach-and-pier atmosphere. We especially like the new Book Early for Summer deal from the The Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club. Known as the Portofino Inn back in the Beach Boys’ era, this property was recently renovated from top to bottom.

Though summer is well underway, it's still not too late to cash in with this early-bird deal built on a sliding scale. Stay two nights at the 161-room inn overlooking the ocean on one side and the marina on the other, and you get 15% off your stay. Stay three nights and the discount rises to 20%. Do four or more nights and you get 30% off. Regular rates for the summer typically run $239 to $279. On a four-night stay, the package can save you $380 on an otherwise $1,276 tab. Plus, you get a $50 dinner credit at the onsite seafood restaurant, Baleen.

Meanwhile, the hotel offers a pool, firepits on the beach, and free bicycles that you can borrow. (With the pier and beachside paths, this area is very bike-friendly.) Kids will also get a kick out of neighboring King Harbor, home to a colony of chatty sea lions.

The package is good for travel through September 30. You can book online or through the reservations line at 310/379-8481.