Half of Locals Plan Holiday Trips

While Hermosa Beach residents, and others across Southern California, plan to spend fewer dollars this holiday season, the tight economy has not affected travel plans.

About 49 percent of locals surveyed said they still plan on taking at least one overnight trip for the holidays this year, according to the Auto Club of Southern California—that figure was 47 last year.

About 39 percent said that they won’t travel this year and 12 percent were undecided.

High gas prices and other expenses were among the main reasons why some locals said they would stay home for the holidays.

The Auto Club survey, which was released Thursday, polled 557 Auto Club members in Southern California between Oct. 4 and Oct. 20.

"We are definitely seeing more price sensitivity on the part of travelers because of the economy and high gas prices, but we also see that travel is viewed as a high priority and people will continue to fit trips into their budgets however they can," said Filomena Andre, the Auto Club’s vice president for travel products and services, in a statement following the survey’s release.

About 60 percent of Southern Californians who said they plan on taking a holiday trip added that they aim to spend no more than $1,000 on their getaways.

What are the most popular destinations this holiday? Here’s what the Auto Club said:

• Out of locals polled, 61 percent will take at least one trip within California;
• 35 percent plan to travel to Nevada (Vegas anyone?);
• 8 percent plan to visit Hawaii;
• 4 percent plan to visit Mexico.

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