Other Alternatives: From Resorts to Campgrounds

If bed and breakfast inns aren’t your cup of tea, North County offers practically every other type of accommodation, whether for a weekend getaway or for visiting relatives.

Top resorts--Luxury abounds in North County, from the world-famous La Costa Hotel and Spa in Carlsbad ($200-$275 per night, double occupancy), to other destination resorts such as the Rancho Bernardo Inn ($130-$215), and Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrook ($100-$150).

On the coast, stand-out hotels include the Inn L’Auberge in Del Mar ($165-$250) and the Sheraton Grand Hotel a few miles south on Torrey Pines Road ($119-$250).

On the moderate side--Affordable comfort can be found at a wide selection of hotels that includes the Radisson Inn in Encinitas ($85 to $210 for their Presidential Suite), the Lexington Hotel Suites in Carlsbad ($67-$107), and the Sheridan Inn in Escondido ($51-$57).

Vacation rentals--Self-contained apartments, condominiums or homes can be rented by the weekend or longer and offer privacy, at a price. A three-bedroom, three-bath beach house in Carlsbad runs about $2,400 a week; a two-bedroom home in Vista goes for about $500 a week. Realty companies like Seashore Resorts (755-8686) or Seabreeze Realty (434-6161) will guide you through the range of vacation rentals, or check with the Chamber of Commerce.

Campgrounds--From Palomar Mountain to the Pacific, the region offers private, county and state-run campgrounds,

Beach lovers can’t get any closer than the state campgrounds at Carlsbad and San Elijo (Cardiff), where a night’s stay costs $21 for an oceanfront site, $16 for others. Cuyamaca State Park offers lake and mountain splendor for $14 a night. Reservations for state campgrounds can be made up to eight weeks in advance through Mistix ticketing service (1-800-444-PARK).

For general information on North County accommodations:

* San Diego Convention and Visitor’s Bureau: 236-1212

* Escondido Convention and Visitor’s Bureau: 745-4741

* Visitor’s Information Center of Oceanside: 721-1101

* Carlsbad Convention and Visitor’s Bureau: 434-6093

* Encinitas Chamber of Commerce: 753-6041

* Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce: 755-4775

* Del Mar Chamber of Commerce: 755-4844