It’s so important to take time for yourself and your family & friends and get away from the stress of your everyday routines. Vacation can sometimes feel unobtainable and daunting to plan and budget for, especially if you’re traveling with your family or coordinating with friends. Worry not! We’re in the vacation rental industry because we want to provide folks with easier, more affordable ways to enjoy the gorgeous Oregon coast. So, check out the tips below to keep your vacation lower-cost and escape to the beach to make some memories.
Stay in a vacation rental
We may be a little biased, but we love vacation rentals! In many cases, you can find a rental for a lower nightly rate than hotels, especially if you travel in a group that’s too large for one hotel room, or travel with friends & family and share the cost. A little insider tip: you can also get the best rate possible if you book directly through the property management company, like us at Sweet Homes Vacation Getaways, not an online travel agency like Airbnb or Vrbo. This way you can take advantage of any specials and don’t have to pay extra booking fees to the online agency that jack up your price.
Do some meal planning
There’s no need to plan every single meal, but a little bit of prep work could save you hundreds! Take some time to look around your destination online and pick the restaurants that you really want to try. This will help you budget for your meals out and if you’re staying in a vacation home with a full kitchen, you can bring food or make a trip to the grocery store and get ingredients for other meals and snacks to hold you over in between. Even having morning coffee, a meal a day, or evening drinks at home looking out over the Pacific can save you so much money and provide extraordinary experiences, right in your own vacation rental.
Plan your destination and timing well
The destination is a huge part of vacation planning, arguably the biggest. If your goal is to keep costs down, consider locations that have a lot to offer year-round so you can travel during the off season for lower rates on many attractions and lodging. Places like the Oregon coast have storm watching and hiking options, as well as all the fun of the beach, in the off season and it’s all free! There are tons of other free adventures on the coast, too — walks, sports, and bonfires on the beach, strolling through shops and galleries in town, visiting the docks to see where your seafood comes from — there are so many activities you can enjoy without spending a dime.
Shop around for souvenirs
It can be tempting to grab the first cute shirt at the airport when you arrive at your destination, but resisting that urge can save you money and result in a more unique keepsake. Many convenient souvenir shops, like ones you can find at the airport, are overpriced and you end up with the same hat as many other travelers. Instead, take some time to shop at local stores, farmers markets, craft shows, and thrift shops. You might not find something that says ‘Waldport, Oregon’, but you could find a really unique piece of hand blown glass or some other treasure that you will know came from your vacation to the coast. Keep shopping around and pick your favorite keepsake after you’ve weighed your options to avoid getting each thing you like.
Hopefully, we’ve helped you feel a little more confident in your ability to take a fun family/friends beach vacation on a budget. If you have more questions before you make a decision, feel free to give us a call at 1-800-519-0437 or email us at info@sweethomesrentals.com. We are staffed 7 days a week and waiting to help you easily plan a great vacation in a gorgeous home, so you can Stay Relaxed!