Here’s a treat: some October getaways

October. The kids have settled into their school routines; the weather is perfect in almost all parts of the United States; and many travel prices are at their lowest levels of the year. Time for a short vacation.

Here are four suggestions:

* A four-night trip to San Francisco or New Orleans: Lombard Street or Bourbon Street? Both are unique and full of pleasures in these two colorful cities. And Southwest Airlines Vacations, (800) 423-5683 , www.swavacations.com, offers particularly low prices to either in October. If you choose the Bay Area, you’ll spend four nights at the Cathedral Hotel (several short blocks from Union Square), with airfare to Oakland from LAX, for $354, based on double occupancy. Choose the Big Easy and spend four nights at the Best Western French Quarter Landmark for $534 from Los Angeles. Lowest rates are for Tuesday or Saturday flights.

* A three-night stay in Vancouver, British Columbia: Autumn is a fine time to visit this cosmopolitan Canadian city with its superb shopping, fine dining, theaters, nightspots and excellent museums. It is also an easy day trip to soaring mountains, Whistler Resort, Vancouver Island and the charming British-style city of Victoria. Throughout October, a three-night stay at the Empire Landmark (Vancouver’s tallest hotel), including Alaska Airlines flights and airport transfers, runs $335 from Los Angeles, based on double occupancy. Contact Alaska Airlines Vacations, (800) 468-2248, www.alaskaair.com.

* Three nights in the invigorating Windy City, Chicago: Savor the Midwest’s favorite town, with its many fine museums, Lake Michigan and legendary blues clubs, before winter settles in. On Saturday night departures throughout October, $465 covers three nights at Chicago’s Raphael Hotel (near the high-end shops of the Magnificent Mile), based on double occupancy, along with an ATA flight from Los Angeles. For bookings, access www.offpeaktraveler.com, the Internet tour-operator source for this package.

* A week in Hawaii: Tourist numbers to Hawaii drop between summer and winter vacation periods. The lull results in low costs for smart consumers. For departures on Tuesdays in October, $449 covers airfare from Oakland to Honolulu, transfers and seven nights at the Ocean Resort Hotel (a high-rise one block from Waikiki Beach), based on double occupancy, when booked through Sun Trips, (800) 786-8747, www.suntrips.com.