Mourning the end of summer? Take heart; fall isn't falling everywhere. In San Diego, for instance, the autumn months can bring mostly summer-like temps, yet without summer-level crowds. Exploit it with a super deal we saw on Travel Ticker: The 313-room Catamaran Resort in San Diego’s Mission Bay is offering a $99-a-night rate for stays between Sundays and Thursdays. When we test-booked an October stay directly through the hotel's web site, rates started at $159 for midweek stays, so the deal delivers a solid 40% in savings. 

The South Pacific-themed hotel has a killer location on the the edge of Mission Bay's Aquatic Park, within walking distance of the beach and the bay (with plenty of watersports, from sailing to paddleboats to waterskiing) and directly on the bay's perimeter path, which is great for strolling, bicycling, and scenic stroller-pushing. There is a pool, hot tub and, tucked amidst a lush selection of tropical plants, an array of kid-magnet tropical birds. With its funky, surfer flavor, Mission Bay is a locals' favorite just minutes from SeaWorld (as well as the old-style amusement Park, Belmont Park) and within a half-hour drive of the San Diego Zoo and Legoland.

The rate is good until December 31, except for the following blackout dates: October 1 and 22 and November 12-14. Book through Travel Ticker or call 800/422-8386 and ask for the Travel Ticker offer.