All-inclusive vacations can conjure images of food under heat lamps, too many poolside piña coladas, and being trapped on resort grounds. But sun-soaked packages are not the only type of all-inclusives.

Sure, sprawling mega-resorts exist — and their numbers are growing. All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy has spent the last couple of years building a portfolio of nearly three dozen all-inclusive hotels worldwide, mostly in Mexico and the Caribbean.

One of the most highly anticipated is the Marriott Cancun, reopening in early 2024 to include some of the typical all-inclusive amenities: a sprawling property of 450 rooms, a lazy river, waterslides and more.

But guests looking for a more localized and unique experience can still find that type of vacation — with the price of food and activities included.

Consider a different type of all-inclusive travel in 2024

Some all-inclusives are entirely antithetical to stereotypical resort experiences. Wellness and activity take precedence over all-you-can-eat meals. They aren’t necessarily in sunny locales. Guest counts are limited, with just a handful of beds.

Vista Verde Guest Ranch in Clark, Colorado, is among the properties that check all those boxes. At the all-inclusive dude ranch, summer outdoor activities include fly fishing and paddle boarding. Winter options include snowshoeing, ice fishing, skiing and sleigh rides. There are only 12 cabins and three lodge rooms.

Many all-inclusives in this genre, such as the Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge, may hardly be considered relaxing at all. With 16 cabins located just under 500 miles north of the Arctic Circle, vacationers are encouraged to partake in activities like riding fat tire bikes over the ice. If the ice has already melted, you can sea kayak instead. With no electricity at night and no in-cabin showers (they’re only in the main complex), it’s not glamorous. But it’s still expensive.

Beware the price tag

The cheapest Arctic Watch offering costs $17,500 Canadian (about $13,000) for nine nights, amounting to about $1,400 per night. At Vista Verde Guest Ranch, three-night stays start at $2,695 during the off-season or about $900 per night (though per-night costs decrease the longer you stay).

But not every all-inclusive worth visiting is for travelers with big budgets.

At Minnesota’s family-oriented Fair Hills Resort, cabins are modest and the food resembles what you ate at summer camp. Meals and activities — such as golf lessons, pickleball, and s’mores — are included in most packages. Rates can run just over $200 per adult, per night, and $121 per kid, per night, depending on your stay length.

How to book a better all-inclusive

According to a survey published in April 2022 that was commissioned by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which has a robust portfolio of all-inclusives, 77% of travelers believe that an all-inclusive vacation is the least stressful way to travel.

If you’re considering an all-inclusive for your next vacation, here are some tips to consider:

• Think boutique, not blockbuster: Skipping the sprawling resorts in favor of intimate properties can bring more personalized service. It might also better connect you with the destination and its people rather than the hundreds of other vacationers.
• Consider more than just beach locales: Whether it’s the Arctic tundra, a Minnesota summer camp or Colorado dude ranch, some of the most authentic experiences occur at all-inclusives that are far from the beach.

“We are stewards of the western ranch lifestyle, and we enjoy bringing folks into our world,” says Ben Martin, general manager of Colorado’s Vista Verde Guest Ranch.

You might even consider a trip that doesn’t stay in one place. Companies like SpiceRoads Cycling and Backroads offer all-inclusive, multiday cycling tours where you get a guide and bike support on top of meals and nightly lodging.

• Prioritize points: If you do opt for an all-inclusive stay at one of the major hotel chains, take advantage of the opportunity to book properties on points, which can often be earned through credit card spending.
• Embrace shoulder season: Shoulder season, which is the time between tourist season and the off-season, can provide a healthy mix of lower rates and fewer crowds, yet decreased risk of bad weather or businesses that have closed for the off-season.
• Understand what’s truly included: You might never touch your wallet at some all-inclusives. Others charge for add-ons such as snorkel gear or alcohol. A few even tack on resort fees.

Why all-inclusives make sense for travelers

Vista Verde’s Martin says his all-inclusive model avoids making vacationers feel nickel and dimed throughout the stay.

“If a guest is frequently reaching for their wallet, they are constantly being reminded that their stay is transactional,” he says. “It changes the dynamic of our relationship with them.”

And if you can score a deal — such as a stay booked on points or during shoulder season — an all-inclusive can leave a far bigger mark in your memory than your bank account.

This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press.

The article How to Book a Unique All-Inclusive Vacation That’s Not Terrible originally appeared on NerdWallet.

There are people who love to give travel advice, and then there are Distinguished Travel Hackers. They are road warriors who love to share their high-end hacks, tips and off-the-wall experiences.

David Alwadish is one of them. He is the founder and chief executive officer of ItsEasy, which specializes in expediting travel-related paperwork such as passports and visas. The company has processed over 2 million such documents in more than four decades, and it’s authorized by the U.S. State Department to provide passport services to the public for a fee. It can also pre-review applications to ensure they won’t be rejected at the last moment and intervene if issues arise.

The 67-year-old executive commutes between two homes, one in Great Neck, New York, and the other in Boca Raton, Florida, which influences his airline of choice. “I travel so much on JetBlue, because they have the latest flights to get me to Boca Raton. I can leave my office late and make their last flight,” he says.

His schedule — back and forth to Florida every other week or so — means he racks up around 60,000 miles per year, and more if he and his wife and two sons venture overseas on a trip or two.

Alwadish has a go-to gadget when he’s heading anywhere cold. The durable, double-duty Ocoopa Hand Warmer is a little cheat. It’s great for keeping my hands warm on the go. I love to take it with me on cold weather trips. In 2015 I had a (heart) valve replacement, and since then, I get a little chilly. With three temperature settings, it can be tailored to your specific needs, whether you’re outdoors in the cold or indoors in a chilly environment. Because it’s rechargeable, you don’t need disposable hand warmers, making this an environmentally friendly choice.

The best way to score a better seat on a plane?

I’m absolutely the last one onto a plane. All those people doing this barbaric dance of rushing to board — it’s as if they want to get to Florida before me, but, of course, they’re not going to. I just sit there, waiting, and then board the plane after all of them. I might be in a middle seat at the back of the plane, but if you’re the last one on, you can see which other seats are open once they’ve closed the boarding doors, say, an aisle closer to the front. If you know no one’s behind you, you can take that instead. Walk down last, and you’re able to check out everybody’s seat.

Want to save on your 3-1-1 liquid allowance?

Try this hack. Portable soap sheets are a must-have for me. My wife brought them to me, because she wants me to have Purell — to not get COVID or get sick again — but I don’t like having bottles in my hands. These are more TSA-friendly, since you don’t have to use up any of your liquid allocation in a carry-on for them. They’re easy to fit in my pocket.

Where to find a friendly, live resource on any destination

Browse or join expat Facebook groups in your destination for local travel advice and insights. I went to South Korea a while back to try to get Samsung to do something with a patent I have, and I studied the expat groups. They told me to go to Seoul’s market district, which is open 24 hours a day pretty much, for food—kimchi for breakfast, rice cakes all day long. It’s better to use those groups than Google, because you can ask the questions you might have when you land but of someone who’s already done it. It’s a preview of what your experience might be: real people, real questions, real timely things. And Facebook is a lot friendlier than, say, Twitter.

This simple garment eases social interactions

I usually wear my FBI hat to travel. I got it in Washington. I think there’s no doubt that it makes people look and wonder. And when they’re wondering, they err on the side of respect. I’m looking at everybody, and they’re looking back at me very carefully. Listen, I walked on to the plane one time, and I couldn’t believe it. The lovely flight attendant said, “Thank you for all you do.” And so, what else was I going to say? I just said, “You’re welcome. And the same thing to you. I think we both have very responsible positions, and you should not be second-rated for what you do.”

A simple advice for making friends while traveling solo

The first trip I took on my own was to Acapulco, Mexico, a long time ago — I was in my 20s. I went because I was a jilted lover, and I was feeling sorry for myself. I just decided to jump on a plane and go. I learned a lot about myself on that trip. And I met so many people by myself. One hundred percent without question the best way to meet people is to focus on other solo travelers. They’re the ones who’ll want to meet someone too.

What to check when picking the smartest time to fly

We all know how busy the airport of departure is going to be, but Google when your destination will be busy, too, to avoid landing congestion: Heathrow is busiest after 10 a.m., for example. The reality of traveling and then coming back is not easy. When I was in Lisbon recently, so many planes just landed at Lisbon during a certain time, and it was daunting — getting on buses to get to the terminal. It was hours of checking in and checking out.

Lean into the social spaces on a train

Even if you’re not traveling in a group of four, take the four-top on a train, with the table. Don’t shy away from sharing that space on a regional train or Acela. I had to go to Washington (D.C.), with my attorney, and we sat there. Right across from me was this gentleman who works for McKinsey who travels almost nonstop. He took my card, because he loved the fact that I could help him with passports. We had a great time, and it was all because of the setup on the Acela, like four people around a kitchen table, which meant you couldn’t help but not talk. We didn’t stop talking for three-and-a-half hours.

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©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The “Go Wild!” pass offers access to all of Frontier’s U.S. and international destinations from May 1 to Sept. 30.

The promotion applies to destinations across the continental U.S., Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and Latin America, said James Fenner, Frontier Airlines’ vice president of pricing and revenue management. The pass is “a great fit” for people who can be flexible with their travel plans, he said.

Reservations can’t be made until the day before domestic flights and 10 days before international flights. For each flight, pass holders pay $0.01 in airfare plus applicable taxes, fees and charges at the time of booking.

Frontier said seats available to pass holders depend on capacity, are limited in quantity and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The passes are available at FlyFrontier.com. Add-ons such as bags and seat assignments can be bought when the flight is booked.

People with the GoWild! passes can plan ahead and book select flights early in advance of the standard booking window for travel during the period in which their pass is valid. An early booking fee might be charged.

Pass holders can earn miles for both their initial pass purchase as well as travel-related purchases, including bags and seat assignments.

People can book an unlimited number of flights for as long as the pass is valid. Flights are subject to blackout periods.

The pass is non-transferable.

Frontier spokeswoman Jennifer De La Cruz said in an email that the carrier originally introduced the GoWild! pass in 2022. The types include annual, seasonal and monthly passes.

As Black History Month 2024 unfolds, it’s time to celebrate and explore some of the most compelling Black art exhibits that not only showcase talent but are pivotal in understanding the cultural narrative that spans continents. From contemporary canvases to historical statements, these exhibits promise to wield the power to move, educate and inspire.

Get ready to be challenged, inspired and transformed as you witness the talent and rich narratives through Black art waiting to be discovered in each of the five cities below.

New York City: Metropolitan Museum of Art (“Met”)

The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism

This highly anticipated exhibit will showcase a redefinition of the Harlem Renaissance at the prestigious Met. This groundbreaking exhibition shatters conventional narratives, showcasing how this vital movement wasn’t just a local phenomenon but a key player in the global dialogue of modern art and culture. Prepare to be dazzled by iconic works, discover lesser-known gems, and delve into the transatlantic artistic exchanges that fueled this vibrant era.

Runs through July.

Chicago: Museum of Science and Industry

Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition

Head to the Windy City for a vibrant explosion of contemporary creativity. This juried exhibition of Black art promises visitors an array of artistic voices. The artwork will showcase diverse themes and mediums by emerging and established Black artists. From thought-provoking installations to soul-stirring paintings, prepare to be surprised, challenged, and moved by the sheer scope of talent on display.

Runs through April 21.

Williamsburg, Virginia: Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

Black Artist Showcase

Step into the heart of American history and explore the often-overlooked narratives of Black artists in Williamsburg. This exhibition presents Black artwork that spans centuries, from poignant colonial-era artifacts to powerful contemporary pieces. Engage with the complex legacies of slavery, freedom, and resistance through the lens of art, gaining a deeper understanding of the Black experience in America.

Runs through February.

Detroit: Cranbrook Art Museum

Skilled Labor: Black Realism in Detroit

Take a visit to Motor City and Immerse yourself in the unique artistic movement of Detroit Black Realism at the Cranbrook Art Museum. Explore works that celebrate the dignity and humanity of working-class Black communities, showcasing the everyday struggles and triumphs of ordinary Black people. From gritty cityscapes to intimate portraits, these powerful art pieces will challenge stereotypes and reveal the beauty and resilience found in everyday life.

Runs through March 3.

Houston: The Museum of Fine Arts

Multiplicity: Blackness in Contemporary American Collage

Touch down in H-Town and get ready to have your perceptions of collage disrupted! This innovative exhibition delves into the creative world of contemporary Black artists who utilize this dynamic medium to explore identity, history, and the complexities of the Black experience. Witness intricate narratives layered into vibrant assemblages, playful deconstructions of stereotypes, and powerful social commentary – all through the captivating lens of collage.

Runs through May 12.

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Admire the art, but also engage. Make an effort to participate in conversations, workshops and community events that align with these exhibitions and connect with artists, fellow art lovers and local communities. Your experience will truly be immersive and transformative.

©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Universal’s Epic announcements confirm big news such as the park’s lands being themed to Nintendo, “How to Train Your Dragon,” Harry Potter and Universal’s classic monsters. And they unveil finer details such as restaurant names and the speed of the racing roller coaster.

The batch of facts intensified the buzz about the park, set to open next year. And it has some watchers wondering if a Disney countermove is coming soon.

At least one expert thinks Universal’s expansion will prompt the long-awaited “fifth gate” – another Disney World theme park. Industry observers also say the gap between Orlando’s biggest park operators appears to be thinning.

“There’s an 800-pound gorilla in the room, but there’s also a 600-pound gorilla in the room. We’ve watched that gorilla grow from little gorilla to big gorilla,” said Martin Lewison, associate professor of business management at Farmingdale State College in New York.

“But it’s not necessarily a bad thing because there is research that shows that the concentration of all these parks in one place helps all of them,” said Lewison, who teaches courses in tourism, hospitality and attractions management.

Dennis Speigel, owner of International Theme Park Services, said Epic Universe is going to tip the scales more toward Universal.

“This is going to tilt the axis of the theme-park world, I believe, in Orlando. This park is going to perform at enormous numbers,” he said. Epic Universe will attract between 5 million and 6 million people in its first year, he estimated.

In 2019, the last full year before the coronavirus pandemic, Universal Studios Florida reportedly had 10.92 million visitors and Universal’s Islands of Adventure welcomed 10.38 million people, according to the annual AECOM/TEA attendance report.

Magic Kingdom was the most popular theme park in the world with 20.96 million visitors in 2019, according to the report.

Checking out hotels

While the Epic’s flashy rides and eye-catching design draw attention, its three new hotels play key roles in Universal’s future as company officials think they will lead to more extended stays.

“The addition of Epic Universe will almost double the size of Universal Orlando,” Mark Woodbury, CEO of Universal Parks & Experiences said in a video released Tuesday.  “This gives us the opportunity to bring people to Universal Orlando for an entire week of the most incredible experiences they can imagine.”

The 500-room Universal Helios Grand Hotel is “inside” the theme park, Universal said, with an exclusive entrance to the theme park for guests. Nearby will be Stella Nova and Terra Luna resorts, with 750 rooms apiece, which are scheduled to open Jan. 21 and Feb. 25, respectively.

Universal did not share a precise opening date for the theme park, but officials have publicly said “by summer” of 2025.

“Disney was the master and the owner of the on-site hotels for decades,” Speigel said. “It keeps your visitors on-site, which builds per-capitas both at the admissions gates and internally in the food and beverage and merch and all retail.”

The three hotels, now under construction, will bring Universal’s on-property count to 11. Its most recent additions are Surfside Inn and Dockside Inn, which opened in 2019 and 2020 as parts of the Endless Summer Resort on International Drive.

“It’s only been about 10 years since they [Universal] really started this effort, and how they’ve accelerated has been amazing,” Speigel said.

Universal will need to expand its workforce to staff the park and hotels. Those roles have been difficult to fill and traditionally low-paying in Orlando.

“Everybody’s suffering in the industry. So it is a factor that has to come into play,” Speigel said.

“I think you will see more lobbying in the future for the J-1 visas,” a government program for people living outside the U.S. allowing participation in study- and work-related exchange programs here, he said.

Having a hotel very close to the theme park is not a new concept but a growing one. When Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, Disney put the Contemporary Resort next door. A Legoland Florida hotel is adjacent to the theme park.

SeaWorld Orlando has filed permits to build two hotels, one with 250 rooms and one with more than 500 rooms. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment CEO Marc Swanson told investors that he expects the company to open hotels in 2026.

There have been hotel projects adjacent to parks in the Six Flags and Cedar Fair chains, as well as at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania and Dollywood in Tennessee, Speigel said.

“If you’re an operator, you want to keep them as close to you as you can so they don’t get distracted,” he said.

Future stock

Speigel points to past milestones in Universal Orlando’s history that got it to this point. The launching pad was the introduction of Back to the Future: The Ride at Universal Studios theme park in 1991, followed by the debut of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure in 2010, he said.

“We saw the largest jump in attendance and margins we’d seen in the industry [with Potter],” he said. “So there’s no question that this new park Epic Universe, in my mind, puts Universal on par, on level with Disney now.”

He expects Disney to speed up its development timetable now.

“You’re going to see a big announcement. … They’re going to add a fifth park,” Speigel predicted.

“I’ve heard rumors that it has been worked on for several years now. But I think the [Universal] announcement …. will be a catalyst for Disney to show their hand as well,” he said.

Walt Disney Co. officials have made no public mention of a so-called “fifth gate,” although the company has pledged to invest $60 billion over 10 years in its theme parks worldwide.

In April, Disney said it planned to invest $17 billion in Walt Disney World projects, and that figure included the Epcot transformation projects and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a Magic Kingdom water ride set to open in December.

Beyond Disney and Universal, there is room for more tourism players, including SeaWorld Orlando, Speigel said. The corporate name change, announced Tuesday, from SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. to United Parks & Resorts is a step in its evolution, he said. The theme park itself keeps the SeaWorld Orlando name.

“I think they have to find their common ground in a couple of areas, in the product area and in the pricing area,” Speigel said. “People are still price-conscious who come to our industry, and SeaWorld could build their volume by giving a strong price value relationship to the guest.”

Central Florida visitors don’t necessarily sequester themselves at one theme park company during their stay, Lewison said.

“I think there’s definitely a synergy there even though the parks may not mention it explicitly,” he said.

There are options because there’s money to be made in Orlando.

“Disney has been making unbelievable profits from their theme parks for 50 years, you know, with ups and downs. So it’s a huge market. … We know the demand is inelastic, because they keep raising prices, and they keep getting record attendance,” Lewison said.

“The law of business is if there are profits, then there are going to be competitors who try to compete those profits away,” he said. “It’s a growing market, which is unusual, because it’s a mature market. So, yes, there will be more and more competition for hotel rooms … but there already was.

“It’s amazing. Where else can you build a giant hotel and expect to be profitable than Orlando, Florida?”

Snuffleupagus alert: SeaWorld celebrating Sesame Street Land’s 5th birthday

The waiting game

When Epic debuts, it will be Orlando’s first new full-blown theme park in this millennium. Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, followed by Universal’s Islands of Adventure in 1999.

“For theme park fans, this is the first new theme park, at least around here, in the internet age where we have instant connection with other fans like ourselves,” said Alicia Stella, who follows Epic for her website Orlando Park Stop.

“People can share in real time on social media about construction and their thoughts and rumors. And there’s no end to the discussion,” she said.

Tuesday’s newly released details could spread interest wider, Stella said.

“It’s also a day when the non-theme park fans, the regular general public, start to see what we’ve been experiencing and start to climb on board the journey here,” she said.

New attractions in 2024: Tiana ride, Penguin Trek, DreamWorks land, ‘Life’

On Nov. 4, 2022, pilot Kenneth Gow was walking through Concourse A of the Denver airport when his foot caught on the end of a moving walkway, which was missing a protective plate, according to the complaint.

Gow’s foot, shoe and sock were all severely damaged when his foot was trapped in the open slot, the complaint alleges.

The Utah pilot originally filed the complaint against TK Elevator Corporation in Denver District Court on Dec. 20, but a combination of factors removed the case to Colorado’s federal district court on Jan. 26, according to court documents.

Video of the incident gathered by 9News shows a missing comb plate at the end of the walkway moments before Gow trips and falls.

When Gow visited a Utah clinic following the incident, he was prescribed physical therapy for the pain in his left ankle and left foot, but also for injuries to his left shoulder due to the fall he took after his foot was stuck, according to the lawsuit.

Physical therapists diagnosed Gow with inflamed joints, a strained left Achilles tendon and bone contusions, the complaint states.

Even after undergoing therapy, he remains in serious pain, according to the complaint.

While the incident happened in Colorado, because Gow and the corporation are from different states and Gow is claiming more than $75,000 in damages, the case was removed from state to federal court.

Gow is seeking compensation for physical and emotional damages, as well as to cover doctors’ fees, prescriptions, hospital care, physical therapy and other medical procedures. The amount will be determined at trial.

When it comes to the cheapest days to book flights, you should know there’s no single rule that applies all the time. In fact, so many factors go into the cost of flights that it’s hard to know what prices will be from one day to the next, let alone over the course of a year or on any given day of a single month.

That said, there are some recognizable patterns when you look at the costs for airfare over a long enough timeline, and some organizations have done studies to find out the cheapest day of the week to book flights. This includes Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, which used actual flight data to help consumers decide on the most affordable times to book airfare or fly the friendly skies within the U.S. or overseas.

If you’re hoping to save on airfare this year and are curious when you should book and which days of the week to fly, read on to learn more.

Cheapest day of the week to book a flight

So, what is the cheapest day to book a flight? In order to find out, Expedia used data compiled by the Airlines Reporting Corporation, which has information on 15 billion flights across 490 airlines.

While the cheapest day to actually pay for airfare can vary from one week to the next, Expedia data shows consumers who book airfare on Sundays instead of Fridays tend to save approximately 5% on domestic and international economy class flights. For domestic business class flights, consumers can expect to save around 7% , and for international business class flights, consumers can expect to save around 24%.

Expedia also notes that Sunday was the cheapest day to book flights in 2021, 2022 and 2023, but savings rates have varied year to year.

If you want to save more, data from Expedia’s report shows you should book domestic flights at least a month in advance to save an average of 24% compared to those who booked last-minute.

Meanwhile, booking international airfare around 60 days out tends to yield the best results, with Expedia data showing savings of around 10% for those who booked around that time. However, because average ticket prices peaked around four months out from departure, they also recommend booking no earlier than four months out. This is a clear change from Expedia’s 2023 report, which recommended booking international flights around six months out from departure date.

Most affordable day of the week to travel

While booking your flight on a Sunday helps you get the lowest price, actually flying on a Thursday may help you save an average of 16% off airfare. Data shows that, almost across the board, travelers who flew on Thursdays instead of Sunday saved this much on both domestic and international flights.

However, consumers flying domestically can also see significant savings of around 13% if they fly out on Saturday instead of Sunday.

What factors impact flight prices?

A range of factors can impact the cost of flights, but most of it boils down to supply and demand. For example, costs for airfare tend to be less expensive during off-peak season to any destination, whereas prices surge during peak travel times when demand is higher.

Fuel costs can also impact flight costs, along with the cost of labor, labor shortages and other underlying issues for airlines. Ultimately, airlines use complex algorithms to determine pricing for their fares, and these factors are just part of the equation.

Tips for finding cheap flights

To get the best deal on domestic or international airfare in 2024, you should:

—Book airfare on Sunday. As previously mentioned, booking airfare on Sunday is cheaper than other days of the week, especially Fridays.

—Be willing to fly midweek. Since Thursdays tend to be the cheapest day to fly, see if you can tweak your travel plans so you depart and fly home during the week instead of on weekend days.

—Set price alerts. Use a tool like the app Hopper to set up price alerts that notify you when airfare prices drop significantly, or when their technology says it’s the cheapest day to book. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection in their app for a fee or for free if you’re a Gold or Platinum tier One Key member. If you book a flight that becomes cheaper later on and you have Price Drop Protection, Expedia will refund you the difference.

—Avoid peak travel times. Not only can traveling off-peak help you score significant savings on airfare and hotels, but Expedia data shows that off-peak travel comes with fewer cancellations and delays overall. Booking early morning flights as opposed to afternoon flights will also make it less likely for you to see delays.

—Earn airline miles. Consider signing up for frequent flyer programs that let you book airfare with miles you earn for flying and other activities. You can also start racking up miles for airfare with a co-branded airline credit card or travel credit card.

The bottom line

The cheapest days to book flights may be different from one week to the next, and the same is true for the day you actually travel. However, taking a full view of the data shows that some travel dates tend to be less expensive on the booking end and the traveling end — at least most of the time.

Arming yourself with this information is one of the best ways to save on airfare over the long run, but it’s not the only way. If you combine savvy shopping with a huge stash of airline miles, you can pay even less for airfare all year long.

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©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

“Floating hellscape.” “Horror at sea.” “Impersonal.” “Monstrosity.” “Lumbering behemoth.” These internet-formed icebergs were meant to sink Icon of the Seas more than a year before anyone, including a boatload of vitriol-spewing critics, had not stepped even a single flip-flop on the 1,198-foot-long luxury liner.

Well, this veteran cruiser just did, and with dropped jaw now back in place, I can emphatically say that the hasty cyber cynics are all wet. Icon of the Seas is neither hellacious, horrendous, impersonal, monstrous nor lumbering. What it is, besides a multi-categorical record breaker five times the size of Titanic, is an engineering marvel that lives up to Royal Caribbean’s chest-beating claim of it being “the world’s best vacation” … albeit with an asterisk to be explained later.

Icon of the Seas is 250,800 gross tons of all-time highs, industry firsts and bar-raising features. From the largest water park at sea and first swim-up bar on a ship to the 28 different stateroom categories and most elaborate stage productions this 63-time cruiser has seen, each maritime milestone was mind blowing on a recent preview cruise of some 5,000 media and travel advisors. Considering how well things went ahead of Icon’s inaugural cruise — it sold out within 24 hours on Oct. 25, 2022 — smooth sailing can be expected, weather providing, when the ship hosts 7,600 paying passengers along with the standard number of 2,350 crew. The first at-capacity weeklong Caribbean voyages out of Miami aren’t expected until summer, according to Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean president and CEO; for now, the ship will sail at around 80% capacity, a typical ramp-up for new vessels.

That every new or enhanced feature appears to work well right out of the shipyard is as impressive as how easy the mega of all megaships is to navigate. Built with bi-level shortcuts, a two-story Royal Promenade with no dead ends, and smart elevators that use machine learning to whisk guests up and down 18 public decks, the new flagship abounds in intuitive innovation. Dividing the ship into eight “neighborhoods” aids guest flow, not unlike the role “lands” play at Disney theme parks. Spreading passengers out in neighborhoods debuted with Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class in 2009, and its new Icon class takes the concept to another level not only by making each area more distinctive, but by adding wow factor from bow to stern.

Icon of the Seas, like its two sister ships scheduled to launch in 2025 and 2026, is designed with five neighborhoods new to the fleet. The signature zone, if we have to choose just one, is AquaDome, named for the 363-ton apparatus made primarily of glass and steel. Here on decks 14 and 15 is a next-gen edition of the water and aerial show staged on Oasis-class ships, and it’s spectacular. The pulsating show, dubbed “Aqua Action!” makes the most of an amphitheater that is a marvel unto itself. Bringing the show indoors is better for the audience and cast, some of whom are asked to dive from 60-foot-high platforms or rhythmically perform while tethered overhead. Steps away are unique dining and drinking venues including AquaDome Market, the cruise line’s first food hall where the made-to-order gyros and dessert crepes are so worth the calories, but the mac and cheese bar isn’t … unless bland and watery is your thing.

Watery and anything but bland are the four other debuting neighborhoods. Thrill Island (decks 16-17) is home to such fleet mainstays as the FlowRider surf simulator and rock wall, and new adventures highlighted by Crown’s Edge that has plucky passengers literally walking the plank, and Category 6, an honest-to-goodness water park with a half-dozen adrenaline-pumping slides. Chill Island (decks 15-17) contains four of the ship’s seven pools in addition to the industry-first swim-up bar; Surfside (deck 7) is geared to young families; and The Hideaway (deck 15) is an adults-only escape with beach club vibes and paradisical views in and out of the first suspended infinity pool at sea.

The three neighborhoods carried over from Oasis ships are reimagined on Icon, and all for the better. The bougiest of the stateroom categories are within the Suite Neighborhood, topped by the 1,772-square-foot, three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse that sleeps eight. It’s got a multi-level slide, a wraparound balcony, whirlpool, areas for karaoke and watching movies, and even a patio with ping-pong. Bad news: It’s sold out through 2024. Good news: You have more time to come up with the $80,000. Better news: At press time, inside cabins (156 square feet) were going for as low as $1,200 double occupancy, plus taxes and fees, starting in March 2025. A couple Benjamins more get you a balcony.

Rounding out Icon’s eight sectors, Central Park on deck 8 has grown by 20% in terms of greenery over the most recent layout on Wonder of the Seas, now the second-largest ship in the world. Beautified with nearly 31,000 plants, this personal favorite spot is not only lusher on Icon, it’s livelier with the addition of Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues, a walk-up champagne bar and an inconspicuous shortcut to the bustling Royal Promenade neighborhood on decks 5 and 6. The 362-foot long, two-deck hub of activity keeps abuzz with 15 restaurants, bars and lounges, one being Dueling Pianos, the cruise line’s first double-pianist bar where two ivory-tickling musicians take requests each evening. Royal Caribbean, usually the industry pacesetter, is seven years behind Holland America Line with this concept — shocking, right? — but what is completely new on Icon’s vibrant Royal Promenade is The Pearl.

Talk about wow factor. Visible right off the main gangway for maximum shock and awe, The Pearl is three decks high, measures 50 feet in diameter, and is both an interactive artwork and integral part of the ship’s superstructure. This multi-sensory immersive feature boasts 3,600 kinetic panels that change color and mood to create a sense of water and light through reflective movement. The white steps inside the sphere connect the lower level of the Royal Promenade to the popular Pearl Café, a 24-hour eatery for sweet and savory bites (included) and specialty coffees (not included).

Icon has more than 40 other places to dine and drink, more than half being new to the fleet. The food that comes with no extra charge can be iffy on mainstream cruise ships, but what was served on the preview sail was quite good overall, and that includes the main dining room and Windjammer buffet. The most elevated dining experience on Icon is at the Empire Supper Club, where an eight-course meal comes with old New York ambiance, live music, exquisite cocktails and a $200 per person upcharge. The hot spot seats just 40 each night, so book early if you hunger for a Staten Island spritz, oysters Rockefeller, Wagyu ribeye and the gorgeous “Chocolate Beehive” made with actual honey from the Big Apple.

From New York City to the Emerald City, Icon features the first at-sea production of “The Wizard of Oz.” The plotline hasn’t been changed — there’s still no place like home for Dorothy — but leave it to Nick Weir, Royal Caribbean’s envelope-pushing entertainment czar, to come up with a fresh take that shows tremendous heart, brains and courage for 90 mesmerizing minutes. Weir’s penchant for pizzazz also dazzles with the new “Starburst: Elemental Beauty” ice show (on the largest rink afloat, of course) and the aforementioned Aqua Action! spectacular, which features the first-ever cast made up of high divers, aerialists, synchronized swimmers, skateboarders and robots.

Now, for that asterisk. Spacious as Icon of the Seas may feel across most of the ship, there’s a large population of cruisers who would never consider sailing with 1,000 people, let alone nearly 10,000. For them, “the world’s best vacation” is spent with as few others as possible. But for those who live by the mottos of “the more the merrier” and “bigger is better,” there’s a new wonder of the world sailing out of Miami these days, so climb aboard.

“The Government of The Bahamas is alert, attentive, and proactive to ensure that the Bahamas remains a safe and welcoming destination,” insists a statement dated Tuesday from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The first warning, called a “security alert,” was issued on Jan. 24 by the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas. It urged travelers to “exercise extreme caution” when in Nassau in the wake of 18 murders in the city since Jan. 1.

The alert said that murders have occurred “at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets,” primarily because of “retaliatory gang violence.”

Davis’ statement on Tuesday said the government is implementing a “robust and innovative crime prevention strategy” involving “rigorous steps to maintain our well-earned reputation.”

Those steps include an enhanced police presence, additional police resources including facial recognition closed-circuit television surveillance technology, training, and a zero-tolerance policy for firearm possession.

On Sunday, Chrislyn Skippings, chief superintendent of the Royal Bahamas Police Force said nine firearms and 1,500 rounds of ammunition were seized in crime roundups last week, according to the Bahamian outlet OurNews.bs.

In his statement, Prime Minister Philip Davis said that the murders “do not reflect general safety in The Bahamas, a country of 16 tourism destinations and many more islands.”

Two days after the embassy posted its security alert, the U.S. State Department updated a travel advisory on its website urging visitors to exercise “increased caution due to crime” in the Bahamas.

The advisory identified two areas of Nassau where gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate “primarily affecting the local population.” It also warned that “violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas,” including short-term vacation rental properties without private security.

According to a story by the Nassau Guardian, some U.S. news sources incorrectly reported that the State Department increased its advisory status on Friday from Level 1 to Level 2, which means travelers are urged to “exercise increased caution.”

The Bahamas had been at Level 2 status since 2022 and was first assigned the level in 2018, according to online archives of the Overseas Security Advisory Council, a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and security professionals from U.S. organizations operating abroad.

From 2020 to 2022, the nation was at various times assigned Level 3 (“rethink travel”) and Level 4 (“do not travel”) status due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Warnings about crime in the Bahamas go back further. In October 2005, the U.S. Embassy in Nassau warned of an increase in armed robberies in the nation.

The State Department’s Jan. 26 advisory, while citing crime as the reason travelers should exercise increased caution, contained much of the same language as advisories dating to 2018. Additional language was added to reflect water safety concerns due to recent fatal and non-fatal shark attacks, the Nassau Guardian reported.

The Bahamas shares Level 2 status with 71 countries, including several other island nations popular among Western tourists, including the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Philippines, Turks and Caicos Islands, Sri Lanka, and Solomon Islands.

According to the department’s website, 93 of 211 countries enjoy the most lenient advisory status — Level 1, in which travelers are advised to “exercise normal precautions.”

Twenty-four nations are at Level 3, which means tourists should “reconsider travel” to them. They include Colombia, Egypt, Guatemala, Saudi Arabia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Jamaica’s status was upgraded to Level 3 last week amid a travel advisory stating that violent crimes are common in the nation and sexual assaults occur “frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.”  Law enforcement is often ineffective and the homicide rate has for several years been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere, the advisory said.

Just 19 nations are assigned Level 4 — “Do Not Travel” — status. Among them are Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela.

On Monday, spokespersons for Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise lines, which run frequent trips to the Bahamas from Florida ports, said they are closely monitoring situations on the islands. But neither cruise line announced any itinerary changes.

Christopher Caulfield, owner of CruiseOne.com, a cruise planning site based in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, said he hasn’t experienced any guest cancellations or concerns from clients since the embassy’s posting.

“I advise clients to take caution (in the Bahamas), as I do with any destination,” Caulfield said by email. “I remind them that cruise lines do everything they can to ensure the safety of their passengers and their ships, and cruising remains a very safe way to travel. If violence escalates and cruise lines feel it is unsafe to travel, they will change the itinerary.”

Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com.

It’s visible from Morro Bay State Park, home to thriving bird populations thanks to its lagoon and natural bay habitats. And it’s an imposing sight from Morro Rock Beach, which stretches north from the landmark and connects with Morro Strand State Beach and North Point Natural Area. Also, it makes for a wonderful backdrop for breakfast on the ocean-view patio at Dorn’s Breakers Café, a family run restaurant since 1948.

South T Pier, along the Embarcadero, is yet another location, and one that has an added bonus: It’s among several hangouts for Morro Bay’s most popular residents — sea otters.

But when it comes to deciding which is the area’s favorite attraction, the competition is close. While the massive rock formation is a remarkable sight, the moustachioed otters are as cute as can be.

Yet, between the two, it likely was Morro Rock — which can be spotted 20-some miles away — that first caught the attention of the early explorers.

In 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, an Iberian soldier, led the first European expedition along the coast of present-day California with the goal of claiming the land for Spain. Accompanied by a crew that included sailors, soldiers, enslaved people and a priest, Cabrillo’s party departed aboard three ships from the port of Navidad, Mexico, on June 27 and entered San Diego Bay about 100 days later — which for decades has been celebrated with a reenactment and festival.

The expedition continued north, and along the way they mapped many of California’s best-known coastal features, including Monterey Bay and Point Reyes. (Notably, they missed San Francisco Bay, which wasn’t spotted by Europeans, likely due to the frequent fog, until an expedition led by Gaspar de Portolá in 1769.)

In Morro Bay, Cabrillo called the 576-foot-tall mound of splintered volcanic dacite “El Moro,” because it reminded him of the style of turban headwear worn by the Moors of Spain.

It’s one of two iconic landmarks you’ll see when visiting the seaside community. The other is a trio of 450-foot-tall smokestacks that were part of a power plant, which was built in the 1950s to service Pacific Gas and Electric’s power grid. When it ran at full capacity, it generated enough energy to power 750,000 homes, but as the facility aged it couldn’t keep up economically with more modern technology, and the power plant was shuttered in 2014.

Over the decades, ideas for what to do with the facility, and its decaying smokestacks, have ranged from upgrading it — a modernization that by one estimate would have cost $225 million — to remaking it into a public art project or even a venue for extreme sports.

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Chatting with locals, another issue that comes up is a plan to build a giant wind farm — incorporating hundreds of floating turbines as tall as 1,100 feet from the water line — in an area to the north of Morro Bay, about 20 miles off the coast of Cambria and San Simeon.

Called the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area, the proposal, which was still a long way from being approved, would pump millions of dollars into the San Luis Obispo County’s economy. It also would help California meet its green energy goals, according to officials speaking at a public information session last November.

And, much like the battery storage plan, not everyone is sold on the idea.

Out and about

One way to immerse yourself in Morro Bay is to stroll along the Embarcadero, a waterfront street where you’ll find an eclectic mix of retail shops, interspersed with a variety of dining options plus art galleries and museums.

There also are opportunities for fun adventures, including fishing and whale-watching excursions, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and even a narrated harbor tour aboard the 21-passenger SSV Seaview, which, as you might expect given its name, has a glass-enclosed viewing area below the water’s surface so you can spy on the fish, jellyfish and kelp.

If you’d prefer to shop, the options are many.

In the Marina Square complex, you’ll find a pair of galleries — one as you enter, the other upstairs — featuring the works of dozens of local painters, photographers, sculptors, glassblowers and other artisans. It’s not unusual to casually meet some the creators during regular hours (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily), and more formally during artist receptions the second Saturday of each month, from 3 to 5 p.m.

How about some saltwater taffy? There’s a store for that, too. Carousel Taffy features an abundance of imitation whiskey barrels piled high with 70 yummy varieties. If you can’t pick a favorite, they’ll help the decision-making process with free samples.

And, perhaps unexpectedly, there’s Hooray for Hollywood — a shop that’s more Tinseltown than quaint seaside fishing village. It’s where you’ll find “Walking Dead” and “Wizard of Oz” figurines, Elsa backpacks, and Elvis Presley handbags and umbrellas.

If there’s a dean of Morro Bay business owners, it probably would be David Thomas of The Shell Shop (say the shop’s name three times fast). As a 10-year-old in 1955, he would collect abalone shells, a byproduct of the commercial fishing industry, and sell them for 10 to 25 cents apiece. That first summer, he made $100 — and a business was born.

Today, Thomas sells hundreds of varieties of shells and decorative corals, imported from around the globe, and specialty items such as shell nightlights and wind chimes from a store that looks like it’s straight out of the 1960s — mostly because it is. Built in 1963, it’s said to be the oldest continually operating retail business in Morro Bay.

Last April, The Shell Shop was named 2022 Business of the Year, for the first time, by the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce.

“It only took 68 years,” Thomas laughs. “Apparently they wait to see if you’re going to make it.”

When it comes to great eats, Morro Bay has a full menu. For starters, this being a coastal fishing town, you’d be right to expect seafood restaurants that are legend. The lineup here includes a pair that have been pleasing palates for decades.

Dutchman’s Seafood House was launched in 1986 by Cornelius and Mary Van Beurden, who emigrated with their nine children from The Netherlands nearly 30 years earlier. It has an open kitchen design and offers casual dining for lunch and dinner. From-the-sea options include Alaskan cod — in the fish and chips and also the Dutchman’s Platter — plus oysters on the half shell and ahi poke nachos.

Visit during peak times, and while waiting for a table, take time to read the restaurant’s origin story displayed near the check-in booth. You’ll see a vintage photo of the entire Van Beurden family; the restaurant is now owned and operated by Paul Van Beurden, the smallest one in the photo.

A couple blocks away, there are two options under the Giovanni’s banner: the Fish Market & Galley, with extensive offerings that include halibut, snapper, salmon and soft-shell blue crab; and the newer Take-out Express with a stripped-down menu that allows for quicker service. Both serve clam chowder that’s a local favorite and a multiyear winner of the annual Morro Bay Chowder Cook-off.

Giovanni DeGarimore runs the business, started by his parents, Mike and Kathy DeGarimore, who originally opened a small fish market in Cambria. In 1985, they purchased the current Embarcadero-adjacent location, on Front Street, where the Fish Market & Galley and Take-out Express are both located.

House of JuJu is a more recent arrival on the Morro Bay dining scene. The family owned and operated restaurant opened in 2015 next to Anchor Memorial Park, a pocket park that honors local commercial fishermen who were lost at sea. Specialties at JuJu include six gourmet burgers — which also can be ordered as sliders — with protein choices that include bison, free-range ground turkey and certified Angus beef.

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A short drive away from the Embarcadero are two other worthwhile dining options: Taco Temple on Main Street and the Morro Bay Coffee Company, located off Highway 1 adjacent to the roundabout.

The former is known for its burritos, tostadas and, of course, tacos — all of which come in huge, tasty portions. Perhaps unexpectedly, there’s also a carrot cake that rivals what you’ll find at any bakery in nearby San Luis Obispo. The latter has an abbreviated menu of egg-centric burritos and sandwiches for breakfast (and other sandwiches for lunch), plus pastries, and a variety of coffee drinks, tea and a fruit smoothie.

Picture that!

When it comes to feeding your appetite for finding great picture-taking opportunities, Morro Bay — which is about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco via U.S. Highway 101 — has lots of them.

There’s the rock, of course. It’s an imposing feature photographed from nearby Morro Rock Beach, especially at sunrise. Whether you’re walking near the parking lot, where you’ll find an area with short sand dunes and tall grasses, or you’re down where the sand meets the water, you can’t go wrong here.

Come back in the late afternoon and you’ll be rewarded with completely different, and equally spectacular, views until sunset.

We also marveled at Morro Rock from the Museum of Natural History. It’s situated on a hill above the bay that lets you take in a full panorama that includes an 800-acre estuary with salt marshes and mudflats that are home to more than 250 species of birds, and the Pacific Ocean.

The museum — interestingly, the only natural history museum in the California State Park system — is where we learned that Morro Rock, an actual plug of an underground volcano and a sacred site for the Chumash and Salinan tribes, was once upon a time much bigger.

Starting in 1889, some 1 million tons of rock was quarried to help create a breakwater that led to the harbor. Amid that effort, in the 1930s, a small causeway was built to connect Morro Rock to the mainland. In 1968, finally quarrying came to an end when Morro Rock was declared a California Historical Landmark.

Since then, it’s also been designated a bird sanctuary for the peregrine falcon and other bird species.

Besides the museum, other worthwhile photo-taking spots include Montaña de Oro State Park, an 8,000-acre getaway with rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, backcountry trails and camping; Black Hill, which has its own moderately challenging 2.5-mile trail and is a popular area for birding; and both the North and South T Piers.

Jefferson Graham, who was a longtime tech columnist for USA Today, highlighted those and several other destinations in an episode of his “PhotowalksTV” series with local photographer Charlotte “Ginger” DiNunzio of Sandprints Photography. It’s available on YouTube and on his website, at www.jeffersongraham.com.

You really ‘otter’ go

Climbing Morro Rock is illegal, due to its status as a bird sanctuary, but it’s easy to drive (or bike or walk) nearly right up to it and park steps away from its base. Pull into your parking “spot” — it’s really just a dirt lot — and you’ll see kelp beds in the water nearby, which was a popular sea otter hangout during our visit.

Other than renting a kayak, this rock-covered shoreline is probably the closest you can get to the fuzzy marine mammals, as they frolic about or just chill on the water’s surface, wrapped in the kelp. Excursion boats (several options are available in town) are required to stay at least 50 feet from wildlife.

But even in a kayak, it’s best to keep a safe and respectful distance, and definitely avoid any direct interaction, says Sea Otter Savvy, a Central Coast-based nonprofit that promotes the responsible viewing of wild sea otters. The group estimates that Morro Bay’s harbor is home to 30-50 sea otters, mostly females of reproductive age.

Centuries ago, the waters off California’s coast were teeming with sea otters, but their numbers diminished greatly in the 1700s and 1800s due to the maritime fur trade. Now, the area between Gaviota State Beach north of Santa Barbara and Pigeon Point near San Jose, including Morro Bay, has some 3,000 sea otters, by one estimate. All of them are believed to be the descendants of a small group of 50 survivors discovered near Big Sur in 1938, so from that standpoint you could call it a remarkable recovery.

The otters are active year-round, but when planning your trip be aware that the main pupping season happens October through January with a secondary spike in March and April.

Visiting in late July, we missed out on all that peak otter pup cuteness. But on the plus side, we avoided — and definitely didn’t miss — the summer heat back home. During a week when Riverside was pushing triple digits, and Anaheim reached the mid-90s, it was sweater weather in Morro Bay, where the highs were mostly in the upper 60s and, for a couple days, in the low 70s, with cloudy to partly cloudy mornings and sunny afternoons.

Several mornings while we were there, coastal fog enveloped Morro Rock, which obscured our view. And yet, each of those days produced a wonderful show, as the sun never failed to push away the gloom before lunchtime.

Even better was early one fogless morning. We got up while it was still dark and made our way to Morro Rock Beach before sunrise, to watch as those first rays illuminated the The Rock, aka the Gibraltar of the Pacific. … That was a stunning sight.

If you go

General information: morrobay.org

3 things to do

• City-wide Yard Sale: Residents host yard sales around town during this 24th annual event; download a virtual treasure map of participating properties and lists of items available. March 15-17, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.morrobay.org/event/24th-annual-city-wide-yard-sale/14011
• Morro Bay Kite Festival: Morro Rock serves as a backdrop for this family friendly event, which features an array of kites every size and color soaring over the beach. Free. April 26-28. www.morrobaykitefestival.com
• Crusin’ Morro Bay Car Show: More than 500 entrants, from throughout California and beyond, are expected to participate in this 27th annual event. A fundraiser for the local Rotary Club, it includes a Friday night cruise and a Saturday Show & Shine. May 4-6. www.morrobaycarshow.org

3 places to go

• Montaña de Oro State Park: At 8,000-plus acres, this is one of the largest state parks in California. Features include seven miles of shoreline and Valencia Peak, which stands at 1,347 feet. In between are back country trials for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Spooner’s Cove beach is dog-friendly (on a leash), and boasts pebbly sand, tide pools, caves and unique rock formations. bit.ly/MontanaDeOro
• Morro Bay State Park: Enjoy an abundance of recreational opportunities including kayaking, fishing, hiking and bird watching. Additionally, within its environs is the Museum of Natural History, a marina, café and even an 18-hole public golf course. bit.ly/MorroBayStatePark
• Morro Rock Beach: Starting from the landmark, this beach connects with Morro Strand State Beach and North Point Natural Area, offering six miles of uninterrupted sandy coastline. Morro Strand has 70-plus campsites for everything from tents to RVs; North Point has a stairway that leads down to a great tide-pooling area during low tide. www.morrobayca.gov/383/Morro-Rock-Beach