Happy 5th anniversary to me
I'm about to take a week-long vacation to celebrate my fifth wedding anniversary with Hubby. Yay! (It's been four of the best years of my life, as my Uncle would say.)
The last time I wrote about my vacation plans I debated flying to Hawaii or Mexico.
But in the end I decided we had to budget $1,000 for the week so flying anywhere was out of the question. Instead, we are driving up the California coast. We may make it as far as Carmel and are packing camping gear for the last two nights. With school back in session I'm betting there will be open spots.
We're planning to explore the beaches and towns we wander through, take hikes and sleep in. We'll also stick to a tight budget. Here's how I expect to spend our moolah:
Gas: We'll drive 650 miles if we make it up to Carmel and back. At 30 mpg that's about 22 gallons x $4.25/gallon (I'm assuming premium is going to be a lot more expensive in these little beach towns). That equals $93.50.
Tickets to Hearst Castle: $48 for the Garden Tour
Wine tasting in Solvang: $0 (I'm told some wineries offer tastings for free)
Hotel rooms for 5 nights in three different towns including tax: $620
I'm particularly proud of how I haggled with one inn on Moonstone Beach in Cambria. The hotel employee initially offered me a beachfront room for $259/nt. They quickly came down to $207, then with more pushing to $181.
I thanked the woman for the price but said it was still more than I wanted to spend. I would look around a little more and probably call them back, I said. I had already checked out a number of hotels in Cambria but made one more call, where I found a beachfront room for $150. The hotel wasn't as nice, but the price was perfect.
I called the first hotel back and...
...let them know what I found.
"I will understand if you can't do anything for me, but you quoted me a beach front room for $181 and I found another hotel with a beachfront room for $150."
She put me on hold, but quickly came back.
"Managers special is $149.50 a night," she blurted.
"Let's do it," I said, confirming that it was for a beach front room. I knew they had cheaper rooms with a partial ocean view or garden view.
Camping fees for two nights: approximately $40 (no reservations yet).
That leaves $198.50 for food, excursions and miscellaneous items for seven days. Yikes! That's only $28.35 per day. I don't think we'll be able to keep it that low, but if we bring cereal and milk for breakfast, afternoon snacks and eat cheaply perhaps we'll be able to stick to $50 or $75 a day.
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About The Bargain Hunter
Daily News staff writer Julia Scott loves to find bargains on everything from groceries to Gucci. Her tips will help keep your hard earned cash where it belongs - in your pocket.
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Congrats on 5 years!
Here's a few cost saving tips...don't forget to stop at Costco to fill up on gas if you are a member. There is one located in SLO. They don't take cash, but do take American Express and their Costco cash card.
It's always cheaper to eat out for breakfast and lunch. Go to a deli and get some sub sandwiches ( to the market to get the makings of a picnic) and have picnics for dinner watching the sun set.
Most wineries charge for tastings. They don't if you buy a bottle of their wine. Bev Mo is located in the same parking lot as Costco in SLO. Costco also sells local wines, sometimes cheaper than at the wineries. On Saturdays they have wine tastings for about $3 each person.
Happy 5th Anniversary! That was a great piece regarding your vacation plans. Sounds like an awesome vacation too. I've joked around with my friends and family (half joking, half serious) that if you weren't married, I would track you down and ask you out because you sound like a catch. You're active, outdoorsy, fiscally responsible, funny (on paper), and you work too. Perfect! If you have any clones out there, please feel free to send them my way!
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Hey Julia! Congrats on the five years! Your vacation sounds perfect, I hope you have great weather and great sunsets. Nice job on keeping it budget-friendly too. I loved that you bargained for the hotel room! I've found that everything is pretty much negotiable if you're willing to push it a bit. I've been reading your newsletter every day, I only wish you lived on the east coast so I could get the low down on some local deals!
much love!
Congratulations!
I stayed at Moonstone Cottages a few years ago, and they are beautiful! Very roomy our bungalow, great bathtub, fireplace- too bad i was there with my girlfriend and not my husband:)
Enjoy, and you should really stop at Avila Beach, about 14 miles before you hit SLO. Great ice cream, and the tuna melt at the general store with there yummy home made potato chips are the best.
Thanks so much for the recommendation, Jodye. Ice cream is always worth stopping for in my book. ~Julia
You just made my day!! ~Julia
Great tips, thanks! ~Julia
I've tried to save money while traveling by buying food at supermarkets but end up spending more. Look aoround for a deli and consider what you buy, I think you'll save money this way and avoid leftovers.
congrats on your 5 years together and wishing you many more.
Willow beach is a little known black sand with green jade beach under a bridge along highway 1
the url is a aerial photo of the area here is the location
N35 53.95 W121 28.68
about 30mi north of San Simion and 3 miles south of gorda
a great place for a lunch on your way north
Charles Brink
Hope you are having a wonderful time.
I'm just wondering why you are using premium gas. Most cars don't need it.
My car manual says premium is required. I've asked around and have been told that you can get away with the cheap stuff unless premium is required. Often times manufacturers just suggest it. ~Julia