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A quick hop to Mammoth

Every winter, more than 1.1 million skiers and snowboarders hit Mammoth Mountain’s slopes -- many from the south braving U.S. 395 to get there.

Alaska/Horizon airlines is to begin service -- a 65-minute flight -- between LAX and Mammoth Yosemite Airport on Dec. 18 and run through April 12. (If you want to fly, plan on booking your trip in January for the best deal.)

Fares start at $99 (pre-tax) one way, but if you can travel midweek (Sundays to Wednesdays from LAX to Mammoth Mountain, or Tuesdays to Fridays from Mammoth Mountain to LAX), you can get a $79 one-way fare on flights from Jan. 4 to 30. Just look for the “hot deals” option on the website.

Info: (800) 547-9308, www.alaskaair.com

-- Susan Derby

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Vanishing jellies

The famed jellyfish display at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the site’s most popular exhibit during its 6 1/2 -year run, will float away Sept. 1. A seahorse exhibit takes its place April 6.

“Jellies: Living Art” had showcased 25 species, including box, moon and flower hat jellies. These creatures are displayed alongside ocean-inspired modern and classical art, including works by David Hockney and Roger Brown.

For those who make the trek before Sept. 1, admission is $24.95 for adults, $15.95 for children (3 to 12 years old). If you miss out, check out the aquarium’s website, which brims with cool photos.

Info: (831) 648-4800, www.mbayaq.org.

-- S.D.

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With the grain

Many California beach cities sponsor sand sculpture contests, but a museum in Japan takes it to a whole other level. Tottori City, about 600 miles west of Tokyo and the site of the country’s only sand dunes, hosts a Sand Museum with massive artworks made from millions of tiny grains. The current exhibit, which runs through Jan. 3, features replicas of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Asia, including India’s Taj Mahal, China’s Great Wall and the Buddhas of Bamiyan Valley in Afghanistan (which were destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban).

Info: Japan National Tourist Organization, (213) 623-1952, www.japantravelinfo.com.

-- Mary Forgione

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Never too late

He who wears a fancy watch while traveling is likely not to have a fancy watch before too long. I can’t remember how many watches I’ve lost on the road. Now I’ve found an inexpensive travel watch that’s also stylish: the Italian-made Too Late, which sells for about $25. The watches have simple digital clocks set in stretchy rubber bands. Sold in three sizes and water-resistant, Too Lates come in all the bright colors of Kool-Aid, with new shades appearing every season.

Info: www.too2late.com

-- Susan Spano

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For more travel news and deals, go to latimes.com/travelblog.