{"id":3209,"date":"2017-11-10T08:44:01","date_gmt":"2017-11-10T15:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/?p=3209"},"modified":"2023-08-16T17:30:05","modified_gmt":"2023-08-16T23:30:05","slug":"our-short-happy-simple-vacation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/our-short-happy-simple-vacation\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Ways to Plan and Enjoy a Short Escape"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Is it possible to plan a budget friendly <strong>short escape<\/strong> that truly feels like a vacation? With these 13 strategies, you can plan and enjoy a getaway that&#8217;s truly memorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re craving a quick recharge or hoping to squeeze in as much as possible during your tip, these tips will set you up for a short vacay you won&#8217;t soon forget!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/our-short-happy-simple-vacation\/?tp_image_id=7572\" src=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/dana-point-marina.jpg\" alt=\"The boats of Dana Point Marina in Dana Point, CA.\" class=\"wp-image-7572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/dana-point-marina.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/dana-point-marina-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/dana-point-marina-728x728.jpg 728w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/dana-point-marina-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/dana-point-marina-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/dana-point-marina-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/dana-point-marina-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dana Point Marina<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/privacy-policy\/\">disclosure policy<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recently my son and I enjoyed a three-day getaway to Dana Point, California. Even though it was quick, we packed in a lot of fun and returned feeling rested and rejuvenated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of my goals when we travel are to stretch our money, stay somewhere nice, maximize relaxation, and be as eco-friendly as possible. Here are 13 ways we made the most of our mini vacation.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id3209_aa5e07-15 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);box-shadow:0px 0px 14px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id3209_aa5e07-15 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id3209_aa5e07-15 .kb-table-of-contents-title{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id3209_aa5e07-15 .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}<\/style>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Before the Trip<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Plan (and Pay) Ahead of Time for Big Savings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I purchased our tickets on Southwest five months in advance. We enjoyed convenient travel times and the lowest &#8220;Wanna Get Away&#8221; fares from Denver to Orange County, along with Southwest&#8217;s free checked bags. I also booked a rental car at the same time. Surprisingly, Hertz had the best deal &#8212; providing I was willing to prepay the full fee in advance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Read the Fine Print<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In today&#8217;s price-driven market, many hotels publish a basic room rate and then tack on extra charges. It pays to check the fine print on the property&#8217;s website, read TripAdvisor reviews, and call the hotel to inquire about fees so you don&#8217;t have any surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch out for the dreaded hidden &#8220;resort fee,&#8221; which was $35 a day at one hotel I looked at for use of the pool, business center and fitness room.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parking is another common fee, and I once stayed at a property that automatically tacked on a 20% &#8220;service charge&#8221; of the entire bill for employee gratuities. If only I&#8217;d known that before tipping everyone in cash all week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With accommodation services like AirBnb, watch out for credit card surcharges, cleaning fees, service fees, VAT fees, and damage deposits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m a fan of hotels with local character, so we stayed at the Dana Point Marina Inn. It&#8217;s a mid-range hotel in a five-star location.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I appreciate that the room rate for this property includes free parking, Wi-Fi and breakfast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re staying at a chain hotel, it might be worthwhile to join the company&#8217;s free loyalty program. These programs sometimes give members discounted rates, complimentary Wi-Fi and room upgrades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"535\" height=\"537\" data-pin-nopin=\"nopin\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/our-short-happy-simple-vacation\/?tp_image_id=3836\" src=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-1.jpg\" alt=\"Eucalyptus trees in Dana Point\" class=\"wp-image-3836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-1.jpg 535w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-1-300x301.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-1-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-1-400x401.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The pretty view from the non-water side of the hotel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. It Doesn&#8217;t Hurt to Ask&#8230;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;d read on TripAdvisor that some rooms in our hotel had better views than others, so I e-mailed the hotel manager a few days before our stay and told him we were excited to stay at the property for the first time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I mentioned that we were from land-locked Colorado and would love a quieter room with a direct view of the water. He kindly accommodated us, and we loved our room and patio overlooking the harbor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Create a Master Packing List<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If we remember to pack everything we need, we won&#8217;t have to run to the store for something like forgotten sunscreen. Packing right and bringing only what we need helps us pack lighter, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I keep a list on my mobile phone&#8217;s Notes app, but you could also use Evernote, Google Docs or any file sharing program &#8212; or even a good old analog notebook. If you realize you forgot something on your trip, add it right then to your list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Check Out the Local Water<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No need to buy bottled water if the local water is good, right? If you visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ewg.org\/tapwater\/#.Wc5QvtNSy00\">Environmental Working Group&#8217;s website<\/a>, you can input the zip code of the town you&#8217;re visiting to check out its tap water ratings. We brought a couple of lightweight water bottles for excursions during our short escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"535\" height=\"535\" data-pin-nopin=\"nopin\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/our-short-happy-simple-vacation\/?tp_image_id=3833\" src=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3833\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-4.jpg 535w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-4-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-4-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-4-400x400.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Doheny Beach in Dana Point<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Pack Your Own Staples <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For this trip I packed a small bag of my favorite fresh-ground organic Guatemalan coffee, round coffee filters (can be cut to size to fit the hotel coffeemaker), organic coconut sugar, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/make-your-own-granola-delicious-healthy-and-inexpensive\/\">granola<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/browned-butter-roasted-almonds-recipe\/\">roasted almonds<\/a> to snack on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7.&nbsp;Bring&nbsp;Your Own Pillow<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A substandard mattress will be less miserable if you have your own comfy pillow. It helps to put a bright colored pillowcase on the pillow so you don&#8217;t accidentally leave it behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>8. Pack a Pair of Good Earplugs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter how carefully we plan, we sometimes end up in a room by the ice machine or elevators. I like <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3E1yhZ6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Hearos ear plugs<\/a> because they are soft and expandable. They&#8217;re inexpensive and do a really good job of muffling noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"535\" height=\"535\" data-pin-nopin=\"nopin\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/our-short-happy-simple-vacation\/?tp_image_id=3834\" src=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-5.jpg\" alt=\"Bougainvillea\" class=\"wp-image-3834\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-5.jpg 535w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-5-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-5-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-5-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-5-400x400.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bougainvillea blooming on the foot path in Dana Point<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>During Your Getaway<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>9. Make Time for Really Relaxing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/the-sweet-act-of-doing-nothing\/\"><em>Dolce Far Niente<\/em><\/a> is an Italian expression that means &#8220;sweet doing nothing.&#8221; If you&#8217;re a doer like me, you may have to consciously will yourself to set aside time to really unwind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During this short escape, I took a walk early one morning and settled on a bench overlooking the harbor. I breathed in the glorious sea air, and watched the seagulls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A breeze stirred the boats, and the gentle clanking of the metal masts sounded like wind chimes. The sun came out and warmed my back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A man and a beagle stopped and greeted me. I walked down the pier, and a barnacle-encrusted baby whale rose up out of the water just thirty feet from me. That precious hour was one of my favorite moments during the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>10. Be on the Lookout for Eco-Friendly Features<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>At the time of this writing our hotel didn&#8217;t have many sustainable attributes, unfortunately. In our room, we discovered a special trash can with a recycling section under the sink that we brought out and used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hotel had a sign in the room with instructions to re-hang towels that didn&#8217;t need refreshing, which we did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the negative side, the breakfast area used disposable Styrofoam plates &#8212; an all-too-common practice in the hospitality industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you consider that Styrofoam is a petroleum-based material that can take up to 400 years to decompose, and think of the sheer number of plates and cups thrown away by hotels, the effect is staggering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>11. Stock Up on Good Drinks and Snacks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our hotel room had an in-room refrigerator, so I bought organic milk, juice, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/make-your-own-homemade-greek-yogurt\/\">Greek yogurt<\/a>, string cheese, crudites, crackers, Honeycrisp apples and fresh raspberries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also used the refrigerator to store leftover Asian food from our dinner Friday night. Needless to say, we were never hungry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your room doesn&#8217;t have a refrigerator, you can pack a soft insulated bag to fill with ice and keep snacks cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re staying at an upscale hotel with a stocked minibar, tempting in-room snacks or bottled water, instruct your fellow travelers not to even <em>touch<\/em> the offerings or you might incur a charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"535\" height=\"535\" data-pin-nopin=\"nopin\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/our-short-happy-simple-vacation\/?tp_image_id=3835\" src=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-2.jpg\" alt=\"Dana Point harbor\" class=\"wp-image-3835\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-2.jpg 535w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-2-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-2-400x400.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kayaker in Dana Point Harbor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>12. Join the Local Grocery Store&#8217;s Loyalty Program<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It just takes a few minutes, and you&#8217;ll enjoy reduced prices on groceries. In a pinch, I politely ask the cashier if they have a card they might be willing to scan for the discount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>After the Trip<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>13. Provide Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Because TripAdvisor&#8217;s reviews helped me plan this trip, I left a review of our experience at the hotel.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I wrote the manager a short note a few days after our short escape and thanked him for our nice room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I also mentioned that we&#8217;d love to see the property use a more environmentally conscious alternative to Styrofoam plates in the breakfast room, and shared some examples including a biodegradable disposable plate made from plants and wood fibers and a compostable product made from\u00a0palm leaves. He promised to look into the options and said he appreciated the feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"457\" height=\"621\" data-pin-nopin=\"nopin\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/our-short-happy-simple-vacation\/?tp_image_id=3837\" src=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-3.jpg\" alt=\"Eliza Cross at Dan Point\" class=\"wp-image-3837\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-3.jpg 457w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-3-300x408.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-3-221x300.jpg 221w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-3-110x150.jpg 110w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-3-400x544.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Vacation-3-442x600.jpg 442w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 457px) 100vw, 457px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A birthday selfie!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How About You?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>How do you make the most of a short vacation? Do you have any travel tips to add to my list? I always love hearing your thoughts and ideas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> &#8230; <a title=\"13 Ways to Plan and Enjoy a Short Escape\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/our-short-happy-simple-vacation\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 13 Ways to Plan and Enjoy a Short Escape\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7572,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"limit_modified_date":"","last_modified_date":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[41,49],"tags":[419,421,418,420],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>13 Ways to Plan and Enjoy a Short Escape - Happy Simple Living<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Going on a weekend getaway? 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