I just read in the paper about a hotel promotion in Monterey County in Northern California throughout January and February. It is tied to the local visitors bureau's promotion of the area's migrating gray whales, birds and Monarch butterflies. But you do not need to be interested in nature to enjoy the savings.

Discounted rates are available at more than 20 hotels. Go to http://www.wildfornature.montereyinfo.org/ and click the button in the middle of the page to check rates and availability. Rates based on availability) include Carmel River Inn and Monterey Hotel, $49 per night; Pacific Grove's Olympia Lodge, $59 per night; Carmel Mission Inn, $69 per night. I am pretty sure that these are per room, not per person. Rates are higher on weekends.

Mark in Los Angeles