San Francisco, is a diverse, sophisticated city, so it’s no surprise that there are events of many flavors taking place this Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.

Whether you want to honor our nation’s deceased veterans at a historical ceremony or you want to dance the weekend away, make sure to check out this list of top 10 things to do in San Francisco this Memorial Day weekend.

1. Presidio Ceremony

The Presidio Ceremony is a Memorial Day tradition in San Francisco. The ceremony kicks off on Monday, May 31st at 10:30am with a parade at Montgomery and Sheridan streets. The event draws more than 2000 people, making it one of the largest Memorial Day events in the country.

The ceremony officially begins at 11am at Presidio’s National Cemetery. After the ceremony is completed, park rangers and volunteers take people on free tours of the cemetery. More than 35,000 veterans and their dependents are buried at this cemetery.

2. San Francisco Carnaval

The largest multi-cultural celebration in California, the San Francisco Carnaval boasts live music, artistry, food, and dance from cultures around Latin America and the Caribbean. If you want to party in style this Memorial Day weekend while learning more about the colorful heritage and cultural traditions from this region of the world, don’t miss the San Francisco Carnaval. It’s free of charge and will take place on Saturday, May 29, from 10am to 6pm on Harrison Street.

3. Lost Boat Memorial at the USS Pampanito

The USS Pampanito is a WWII submarine located in Fisherman’s Wharf. The Lost Boat Memorial takes place at the USS Pampanito at 5pm on Monday, May 31st. This famed ceremony honors the lost sailors of the United States Navy Submarine Service. It is free of charge and is followed with an echo taps performance.

4. Free Opera at Dolores Park

At Dolores Park, which is located on 18th and Dolores Streets in San Francisco, you can enjoy a free, live opera performance on Sunday, May 30 at 2pm. So, gather your friends and family together, grab a bottle of wine, and pack some cheese, crackers, and olives to enjoy a relaxing picnic while listening to great music in a beautiful setting.

5. Civil War Battles and Encampment

If you’re willing to take a road trip on Memorial Day weekend, visit the Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton to witness the reenactments of Civil War battles and view replicas of encampments belonging to Union and Confederate soldiers. The event only costs $5 a person and it’s a fun, educational way to commemorate the history of our nation.

For a cheap place to stay while you’re enjoying Memorial Day weekend, find a San Francisco Hotel Deal.

Southwest is revving up tourist-luring discounts for Orlando, FL vacations. The new “Super Deal” program shaves $150 off a seven-night Southwest Vacations package that includes airfare and starts at $35 to $57 per person nightly, based on availability and city of origin, with four people sharing a room at the Sheraton Safari or the DoubleTree near Universal Orlando Resort. Plus, each passenger can check two bags for free.

In time for Valentine’s Day, a handful of upscale hotel brands including Fairmont and RockResorts are offering Twitter-only discounted rooms and packages at resorts in the Caribbean, California, Colorado, and Florida.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has a San Francisco hotel sale going, with eight hotels are participating. The Harbor Court Hotel and Hotel Triton start at $85 per night, and the Prescott, Cypress and Sir Francis Drake hotels start at $89 per night. The Serrano Hotel starts at $95.

USA Today reported today on loyalty bonuses from Marriott, Hilton and Loews, including Marriott’s “MegaBonus” promo beginning in Feb. 1st that lets members who register for the promo earn 2,500 bonus points with each paid stay, up to 25,000 bonus points.

Pauline Frommer suggests four great low-cost getaways on Good Day New York today to help you plan an affordable vacation. Her suggestions include finding the cheapest rates on Carnival cruises, Outdoor camping, and vacation packages to Cancun.

Paul Wade and Kathy Arnold in today’s Telegraph offer ten money-saving tips for travel in the USA, such as an 11-night package with Premier Holidays with visits to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hawaii from £1,269 per person, including all flights and accommodation.

The Tamarijn Aruba Resort’s All-Inclusive deal offers fun, food, drinks, and a stunning location for a perfect island getaway from $899 for five nights, including airfare. Swim laps in the pool, borrow a resort bike to explore, or visit underwater worlds with a snorkel and fins. Floats and equipment for non-motorized watersports such as Sunfish sailing, canoeing, and snorkeling are part of the all-inclusive package.

And if you’d like to stay up-to-date with the latest breaking travel deals, you can follow us at @BesTravelDeals and subscribe to the blog’s RSS Feed.

If you’re interested in traveling to the UK, Aer Lingus has announced transatlantic airfares to Ireland as low as $239 each way from NY or from $269 from Boston or Chicago for economy class for travel to Shannon or Dublin, from April 10 to June 15. Sale prices are slated to end on January 21 according to IrishCentral.com’s travel expert, Patricia Preston. She writes that Continental and Delta also have specials running for airfare to Dublin, and CIE Tours International has extended its discount on tours around Ireland as well.

$469 and up for an Iceland Getaway with Airfare, Hotel & breakfast. Enjoy shopping for quality Icelandic products, delicious gourmet Icelandic cuisine (including Icelandic game), invigorating outdoor adventure, highland wilderness beauty, soothing spas and more. The Reykjavík City Library hosts a walking tour in downtown Reykjavík where Icelandic literature, from the Saga period to newly published books, is introduced. This is a fun introduction to Icelandic literature and the downtown area at an easy pace that suits everyone. Deal includes accommodation at the friendly Fosshotel Lind or Fosshotel Baron, both situated in the historic city center.

Truth.Travel is covering the last-minute Hyatt hotel sale of 30% off rates at 180 Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites hotels. Travelers must book no later than this coming Saturday (January 23, 2010) for stays from February 7 through April 5, 2010. Hyatt Place, a contemporary-style chain aimed at business travelers, while Hyatt Summerfield Suites are extended-stay hotels that come with a full kitchen and 24-hour in-house grocery markets (making them especially convenient for families). Both brands offer free breakfasts and free WiFi, and this deal is good at nearly every location.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, MSC Cruises is offering Caribbean cruise deals on bookings through January. The “Wave Season” offer is available on new bookings through Jan. 31 starting at $419. The sailings, from Fort Lauderdale, go to the Eastern and Western Caribbean and Bermuda.

Southwest Airlines’ Swing Into Savings sale is last-minute fares that start at just $49 for flights from over 40 U.S. cities, and cap at only $99 on cross-country routes like Chicago to San Francisco, according to Elina Vaysbeyn. Booking expires January 21 for spring travel between April 7 and May 25. Fares are one-way, and round-trip purchase is not required.

Tom Johansmeyer of Gadling is highlighting Five Valentine’s Day deals in New England in his post today, and features romantic vacation adventures in Chatham, Massachusetts, North Conway, New Hampshire, and Kennebunkport, Maine among others. Tom writes, “There are plenty of deals at your disposal through the New England Inns and Resorts Association, and a tough travel market is leading many properties to put together some amazing deals.”

And finally, NASA offers Out-of-this-World Space Shuttle Deals. Originally, NASA was asking for $42 million per shuttle, but now they’ll take $28.8 (or best available offer). The Smithsonian has already called dibs on Discovery, but Endeavor and Atlantis are still available, as is “The Enterprise,” which never took an actual trip into outer space. While this is probably out of most everyone’s price range, it’s not very often we get to point out a travel-related deal that’s $14 million off the regular price!

For more up-to-the-minute travel deals, be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed and follow us on Twitter at @bestraveldeals.

Ski Areas of New York (ISKINY) has teamed up with lodging properties to bring you three special ski & stay weekends this winterwhere if you ski and stay two nights you get a third one FREE! The special weekends are January 9th, February 6th, and March 6th. The third night lodging and day skiing can be used for a Thursday stay Friday day skiing/riding or Sunday stay Monday day skiing/riding.

McCurtain County Announces ‘Cozy Fireplace’ Discounted Winter Rates. Tourism is booming in Southeast Oklahoma, primarily due to North Texans. To say thank you and welcome back, most McCurtain County lodging operators have lowered their winter rates.

At the Viceroy Palm Springs, the “Breathe Easy” package offers 25% off all of your resort purchases. That includes your room, as well as spa services, meals, beverages and the resort fee.

$104 a night for Boston’s 4-Diamond Waterfront Hotel. This AAA 4-Diamond hotel is less than three miles from historic Back Bay, Faneuil Hall and Logan International Airport. The Westin Boston Waterfront features complimentary shuttle service to nearby attractions and a number of dining choices, including Sauciety restaurant, Starbucks and Birch Bar.

$89-$111 a night for an upscale Pittsburgh Riverfront Hotel. It’s hard to beat the Sheraton’s location, adjacent to Station Square, the city’s entertainment hub, filled with upscale restaurants, shops and nightlife. The Station Square Dock of the Gateway Clipper Fleet is also just a short walk from the hotel. This tourist highlight showcases a collection of the country’s premier riverboats, and is perfect for sightseeing, dining or even dancing cruises along Pittsburgh’s three rivers.

$149 a night at this South Beach All-Suite Hotel in Miami with private beach access and an On-Site Fitness Center.

$109 a night for a Riviera Maya 4-Star All-Inclusive Resort with all-suite accommodations, 12 swimming pools, and a family-friendly Kid’s Club.

$699 for a St. Lucia All-Inclusive 4 Nights special, with Airfare. Come experience Almond Resorts All-Inclusive Caribbean Vacation in Barbados and St. Lucia. Book now though, as this sale ends Monday!

West Hollywood Shopping Package. From now through January 10, this trendy hotel is offering a remarkable shopping package with rates starting at $295/night. In addition to the free valet parking, visitors will also receive $100 hotel credit, which can be applied to their room bill, or bar and restaurant tab.

San Francisco, CA (SFO) To Miami, FL (MIA) from $134 RT when you travel with Northwest Airlines. Saturday night minimum stay required, and there’s a 14 days advance purchase requirement.

And finally, remember that there are several travel-related charities and nonprofits that can use some help, no matter how little you can afford to give. One such organization was highlighted in today’s NY Times: Passports With Purpose, a two-year-old organization raising money to build, outfit and support a school in rural Cambodia, that has raised nearly $20k for AAfC and have enough money to build a school and provide safe drinking water and a school nurse.

$83 and up during today’s 24-Hour Sale on Hyatt Resorts. Rooms at these mostly 4-Diamond/4-Star properties start at $83/night and are in top destinations like Hawaii, Florida, Texas, California, and the Caribbean. This offer is for travel through May 31, 2010, but all bookings must be made 11:59 p.m. tonight (local time).

Speaking of Hawaii, there are a number of other great deals that are dramatically reducing the cost of an island vacation. Here’s just a few:

$224-$240 a night for a 4-Diamond Oceanfront Resort & Spa (Reg. $300). This AAA 4-Diamond resort is located on 12 oceanfront acres on famous Ka’anapali Beach. Enjoy golf privileges at the Ka’anapali Golf Course, which has hosted the PGA Seniors Pro-Am.

$209 a night for an upscale Maui Beachfront Resort (Reg. $350). The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa features multiple dining options, a freshwater swimming lagoon with a children’s pool, famous Hawaiian entertainment and a sunset cliff-diving ceremony.

$146 per night for an upscale Hawaii Resort into March (Reg. $300). Stay on Hawaii’s Big Island overlooking scenic Keauhou Bay at the upscale Sheraton Keauhou Resort and Spa with a 50% off all second nights offer.

$119 a night at the Waikiki Sheraton, including weekends. Stay a block from Waikiki Beach at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani for $119 per night through March. Similar hotels in the area are regularly $200 per night.

$289 per night for a luxurious Kauai Resort (Reg. $565). Rooms include a transparent-to-opaque “magic window” which allows guests to enjoy the views, while also offering privacy. Marble bathrooms feature an oversized tub and double vanity.

Holland America rolls out cruise sale for 2010 voyages today. Some cabins will be marked down as much as 45%. As part of the sale, Holland America also is reducing the amount of deposit customers must place when first making a booking for a cruise; lowering prices for third and fourth passengers in a cabin; and offering 25% savings on select hotels for pre- or post-cruise stays.

99-Hour Sale: $99 Rooms at Bermuda’s Fairmont Southampton Resort! $99 for 99 hours sale from today through December 20, 2009. A three-night minimum stay is required, and the $99 rate applies to the lowest-category Moderate rooms, with other room categories also being offered at higher, though still significantly discounted prices.

USC Trojans Emerald Bowl hotel and ticket package in San Francisco, California. There are tickets available and eight hotels in downtown San Francisco that have teamed up to offer Emerald Bowl hotel & ticket packages.

$109-$119 a night for this last minute sale at Phoenix Hotel (Reg. $249) through Dec. 31, including New Year’s Eve. Regular rates in peak season for this hotel are $249. This hotel is located next to the Phoenix Civic Plaza featuring dining and shopping. These dates coincide with many Phoenix Suns home games, including against the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics.

$79 & up for Starwood Hotels throughout the Midwest. Save up to 50% off the peak season rate as Starwood hotels are offering great holiday and winter season prices to entice travelers to plan a getaway.

$79 a night at a San Diego Hotel with parking. These 35% OFF sale prices are available through Jan. 13 and the weekends of Jan. 22-23, 29-30. Once this promotion ends, rates jump up to $119 and higher.

This beautiful image was taken by Thomas Hawk.  The lighting of the menorah in Union Square has been a tradition since 1975.

The ‘50/50 Package’ begins November 23 – in time for Thanksgiving gatherings and holiday shopping expeditions – and runs through December 30, 2009.

For reservations or information, please visit www.theorchardhotels.com and use promotional code 50/50 or call toll-free 888/717-2881.

People who book a room in the next two days will get 40% the Kabuki’s already quite reasonable (for San Francisco) rates. The total cost will come to $84-$110 per night. The deal also includes a $20 certificate to the Japanese-style baths located at the adjacent Kabuki Springs and Spa.

Fly to Australia from $399! Qantas Vacations just reduced fares to Australia to as low as $399 one-way for flights May 1 through June 8. Plus, for only $100 more, travelers can add flights to three extra cities in Australia.

Kauai Marriott Resort has a special offer of $189 for an ocean view room for travel through December 24, 2009, and if you prefer to travel to travel between January 3 – 31, 2010, you’ll pay just $20 more.

Planning your holiday events? Today’s holiday shopping, light displays and events guide by Mary Ramos for the Dallas Morning News features more than 60 of the liveliest Christmas and Chanukah events in Texas and neighboring states.

There’s a wonderful 5-night Jackson Hole and Yellowstone Activities package this winter at the Togwotee Mountain Lodge starting at $1281 single, or $2220 for double occupancy. The lodge’s excellent location and large rental fleet of snowmobiles helps guests take advantage of the area’s back-country trails.

BED-and-breakfasts are starting to ‘man up’ — Michelle Higgins reports on sports-friendly B and B’s and highlights some great deals for BOTH spouses.

The Shopaholics Train (a.k.a. the Atlantic City Express Service – ACES) will ferry shoppers from New Jersey to New York on November 27th. A complete timetable is available on the ACES web site.

48-hour Sale, 40% OFF: Hotel Kabuki San Francisco is a premier Japanese-style hotel in San Francisco with a western touch. Hotel Kabuki is located in Japantown, and for the next 48 hours rooms are only $84 per night!

Caribbean Vacation Spa Package at the Renaissance Aruba from $398.

Get 30% Off in Your Stay at Leows Hotels and Resorts, valid for travel between 11/20/09 – 01/31/10.

And there’s a great last minute Hotel sale for the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, $139 and up per night. The hotel is on the Intracoastal Waterway and offers a complimentary beach shuttle.

Kabuki Hotel

The Hotel Kabuki is one of the premiere Japanese-themed hotels in the neighborhood.  Actually, it is unfair to call it a theme hotel.  Many of the details at Kabuki are quite authentic, although there are plenty of Western elements in the design as well.  The ambiance, the popular O Izakaya Lounge (which boasts Japanese-inspired international cuisine), and the Kabuki Springs and Spa help Kabuki stand as one of San Francisco’s most unique hotel experiences.

A 48-hour sale on rooms, currently underway, will make this one of the best deals in the Golden Gate City as well.  People who book a room in the next two days will get 40% the Kabuki’s already quite reasonable (for San Francisco) rates.  The total cost will come to $84-$110 per night.  The deal also includes a $20 certificate to the Japanese-style baths located at the adjacent Kabuki Springs and Spa.

Location is another thing that the Kabuki Hotel has going for itself.  San Francisco’s Japantown is as close as you can get to experiencing the Land of the Rising Sun without traveling across the Pacific.  Japantown is filled with authentic shops, sushi bars, and movie theaters. In addition, Fillmore Street, one of S.F.’s hippest spots, is within walking distance of the Kabuki’s lobby.

For those who book in the next 48 hours, the $84 to $110 rates will be locked in until New Year’s Eve.  Even travelers who aren’t interested in staying in Japantown will find this a great price for a hotel in one of America’s most expensive cities.