Are you going to make it a "staycation" this summer and hit up one of our many gorgeous beaches? (Photo by Ross Reyes via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
One Arleta-based travel agent says she's "seen a 30 percent drop in travel-making calls from last year despite a surge of bargain getaways to entice penny-pinchers to part with some money." The travel pro attributes the reluctance to travel with people's uncertainty about holding onto their jobs, something Angelenos share with others around the nation. An Allstate poll on consumer spending reveals "nearly half of all Americans plan to cut back on travel this year."
Those opting to vacation locally, i.e. "staycation" can head out to local attractions, museums, and parks, and spend more conservatively while enjoying precious time off, and many area spas, hotels, and theme parks hope to lure area patrons with deals and specials. But those planning to buck the trend and leave town can also take advantage of the lower prices on airfare, hotels, and vacation packages. Some might hop on board flights to Europe, which have lower price tags than last year, while others might opt to travel, but keep it closer to home, by taking quick and inexpensive jaunts to San Francisco, San Diego, or Las Vegas.
What are your travel plans for this summer?




Actually, I'm going to London and Edinburgh this summer for 10 days. It's something that's been in the works for about a year and a half. I've had hotels booked since last August and plane tickets booked since February, so it's mostly paid for. Let's just see what the exchange rate is by the time I get there.
My plan this summer is to systematically remove the word staycation from the English lexicon, once and for all. And hike a lot.
new york!
my foodcation?
There are so many amazing travel deals right now, I almost feel like it'd be a terrible shame to forgo them to spend a comparable amount going somewhere close by just because it "seems frugal." I want to see the world and this seems to be the year to do it!