Find Special Choices in Variety of Offerings

There are numerous discounts and special offers for mature travelers right here in California, some available now and some coming up soon. Here’s a quick sampling:

Vagabond Inns, which has 41 properties in California, plus one each in Las Vegas, Reno, and Tempe, Ariz., has started Club 55 for those who are 55 years of age or older.

In addition to special room rates, those who join Club 55 receive gifts for the $10 membership fee. They include $10 in the form of $10 “Vagabucks” good at any of the properties, a Rand McNally California road map, map magnifier, pocket flashlight, travel night light, tote bag and other goodies. For information call (800) 522-1555.

San Diego offers many deals for senior travelers and their parties. Sea World has a discount card for those 55 and older that subtracts $3 from the regular admission of $14.95. Those accompanying the cardholder also get a $1.50 discount from the admission. For information, phone (619) 222-6363.

The San Diego Zoo has a senior savings offering $2 off the regular admission for the senior and everyone in the party. The same discount is offered by San Diego Wild Animal Park. For information (619) 231-1515.

Among the accommodations in the San Diego area with senior discounts are four Vagabond Inns plus special rates offered at five properties of the Atlas Hotel chain: Town & Country Motel, Hanalie Hotel, Mission Valley Inn, Kings Inn and the U.S. Grant Hotel. For information, call (800) 542-6082.

In Long Beach, the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose, which offer a 10% discount year-round for seniors 55 and older, has an even better offer through May. All seniors and everyone in their party pay children’s admissions, $7.95 each, which is $4 lower than the adult admission. Phone (213) 377-1571.

In Rancho Palos Verdes, Marineland will offer those 60 and older half-price admission ($5) during June. Phone (213) 377-1571.

Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Vista, has many specials for seniors 60 and older. In addition to the regular daily senior discount, bigger discounts come up during special weeks in March, April and May. And they offer a Bonanza Club card for $29.95 which covers 10 visits, or $3 a visit, plus a 10% discount on meals at the Chicken Dinner restaurant and Big Jakes and a 10% discount on some gift packs. Phone (714) 220-5141.

Walt Disney Productions is starting a Magic Years Club for those 60 and older that offers discounts and deals at Disneyland in Anaheim, Walt Disney World and Epcot Center in Orlando, Fla., as well as discounts at Howard Johnson Lodges and National Car Rental, with other resorts, package trips and tours to be announced.

Membership in the free Magic Years Club is offered only through senior clubs, organizations or groups. Have your program chairman or other officer contact Magic Years Club Headquarters, P.O. Box 4709, Anaheim, Calif. 92803. Phone (714) 999-7550.

Six Flags Magic Mountain has a regular daily senior discounted admission of $8.50 all the time . . . the month of May is Senior Star Days for the Universal Studios Tour with $3.50 deducted from the regular admission for those 55 and older. Regular year-round senior discount is $2.50 . . . and the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park offers 30% off regular admission year-round for those 55 and older.

In addition to all these individual senior discounts and deals, even better rates and prices are available to senior groups consisting of 20 or more people.

If your senior club or association does not know about the Senior Travel and Recreation Assn. of California (STRAC), get them on the ball. STRAC has a great free directory of California attractions, including those mentioned here plus others, along with hotel and resorts, bus companies, tour planners and travel agencies and other related services.

All are eager to provide help in planning group tours, not just locally, although those are the most popular, but tours to just about any destination your group wishes. Have the program chairman write for a free copy of the “Senior Citizens Leisure Time Directory” from STRAC, c/o NBC Studio Tours, 3000 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank, Calif. 91523.