Summer Vacation Without Going Broke

Looks awfully inviting, doesn't it? That's a photo of the beach in Cancun, Mexico (by MIke McHolm via flickr - creative commons). But it's not where most Americans are going for their summer vacations.

According to figures just released by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), Orlando (17.2%) and Las Vegas (16%) remain the most popular summer destinations. And for those fortunate enough to be able to go abroad, the top three destinations are London (9.9%), Rome (9%) and Paris (7.5%).

There's nothing wrong with any of these destinations - they're all good spots for a sizzling summer vacation. Too popular, actually - which is why tourism services (hotels, vacation packages, attraction tickets, restaurants, shopping, etc.) in these places are grossly overpriced. And while the recession may be in it's last death throes, America is still not ready to splurge on costly vacations.

What we need here are budget options where you can have the same summer vacation fun, but without going broke.

The outbreak of the fatal Swine flu In Mexico City has just about killed (no pun intended) Mexico's tourism - at least for this summer. For an equivalent (and cheap) alternative to Cancun, consider a fortnight or a month in a vacation rental overlooking one of the San Diego beaches.

You can do it on the cheap, if you plan it properly. There's plenty of vacation rentals along Pacific Beach and Mission Bay which you'll find much more luxurious and spacious, and more importantly - a lot cheaper for the entire family.

You can get an oceanfront property with at least 1-bedroom, a loving room, furnished kitchen, private parking, bathroom and all the comforts of home for 4-6 people for less than $100 per night (based on a weekly rate). Try booking a hotel suite in San Diego offering the same space and amenities, and you'd end up spending a fortune for a month's stay.

You'll find the best value on the Craigslist vacation rental listings, but be careful and make sure you don't hand out money to some unverified stranger. Pay only to someone who has a proper identity and verifiable address and location. Read their personal safety and fraud tips, if you're not familiar with how things work on Craigslist.

Do it right, and you'll end up enjoying a wonderful summer vacation in San Diego, where there's no shortage of summer fun - from the beaches to the Gaslamp Quarter and PETCO Park, and day trips to places like Legoland and Tijuana. And of course, there's the big two family-friendly attractions - Sea World San Diego and the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park.

And you can learn to paddle-surf, like the dude in the photo above (taken by ffg via flickr - creative commons).

Another budget-friendly option for a family summer vacation is Myrtle Beach. Unlike Mexico, South Carolina's summer tourism has not been destroyed by the recent fire. The fire narrowly skirted the tourism facilities, and so the Strand, the Myrtle Beach motels and hotels, the Airport and everything else you're going to need is just fine and open for business.

And even Hard Rock Park, the new rock n'roll theme park in Myrtle Beach which went bankrupt and closed a short while after it opened, is now about to re-open in a new Avatar - as Freestyle Music Park, with added attractions.

And in Myrtle Beach, you don't even need to look for vacation rentals, because the lodging facilities are so cheap. You can get a room for a family of four for around $60 to $80 at hotels like the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel. And that's includes a fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, microwave and coffee/tea makers. You get laundry facilities, outdoor pool, parking, free internet and local calls, and just about anything else you get at upscale hotels. .

You have theme parks, water parks, family friendly attractions and facilities, budget lodging, a magnificent beach and boardwalk. You get everything that a trip to Orlando offers. Only without the price tag.