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Free Vacation Education Program

Free Stay Program for Underserved Youth and Families

Family Vacation and Science and Education Program is excited to provide a free stay program for California underserved youth and families in cooperation with the California Coastal Commission to further diversity, equity, and inclusion for underrepresented populations to experience a hotel stay in Mission Bay.

Please note:  We are taking applications for reservations through 2026.

FAMILY VACATION AND SCIENCE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM’S FREE STAY PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Family Vacation and Science and Education Program is pleased to offer certain Participants (as defined below) the following:

  • Free Stay based on availability throughout the year.
  • Access to Resort Amenities and Activities Free of Charge. Free amenities include island recreation, basketball/sports courts, seasonal resort activities, five pools, mini-golf, gym/fitness center.
  • Free Vehicle Parking for up to 1 vehicle per hotel room.
  • Free Action Sport Rentals on a first-come, first-served basis.

ELIGIBILITY

As part of Family Vacation and Science and Education Program’s commitment to support diversity and access to vacations, this Free Stay program is limited to California underserved youth and families:

  1. Underserved youth and families – means individuals that have been historically excluded from accessing the benefits of coastal opportunities and/or disproportionately impacted by environmental burdens and includes low-income households; Black, Indigenous, and people of color; people with disabilities; youth who attend Title 1 schools (and their caregiver/s); and foster and transition age youth.
  2. Low Income individuals and families – “low income” is calculated using standards such as the Area Median Household Income for the county income limits as published by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the Federal Poverty Level, and housing burden calculations published by the CalEPA Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment. For example, a household of 4 in San Diego County with an annual income of $97,000 or less is considered low income by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
  3. Participants are individual or families who are eligible to participate in the program based on the defined criteria for underserved youth and families and who have certified their eligibility to Family Vacation and Science and Education Program or had such eligibility verified by an Organization.

Family Pool with large inflatable toys

This program is for California residents only. Proof of residency is required.

To be eligible for free stays, the individual or family must qualify based on the definitions above. 

We are taking applications through 2026.

Come experience a waterfront stay

Come experience a waterfront stay

To apply for Family Vacation and Science and Education Program’s Free Stay Program, complete the Free Stay Program application form.  If you have questions you can email us at  fvsefamily@paradisepoint.com.

Please read our FAQ found below before calling or emailing us.

We look forward to introducing more people to a waterfront stay in Mission Bay.

Click Here to Apply

California individuals and families interested in the Family Vacation and Science and Education Program Free Stay Program should complete the Family Vacation and Science and Education Program on the Bay Free Stay Program Application Form found here.  

Family Vacation and Science and Education Program’s free stay program includes:

  • Access to Resort Amenities and Activities Free of Charge. Free amenities include island recreation, basketball/sports courts, seasonal resort activities, five pools, mini-golf, gym/fitness center.
  • Free Vehicle Parking for up to 1 vehicle per hotel room.
  • Free Action Sport Rentals on a first-come, first-served basis.

As part of Family Vacation and Science and Education Program’s commitment to support diversity and access to stays, this free program is limited to California  underserved youth and families:

1.     Underserved youth and families – means individuals or groups that have been historically excluded from accessing the benefits of coastal opportunities and/or disproportionately impacted by environmental burdens and includes low-income households; Black, Indigenous, and people of color; people with disabilities; youth who attend Title 1 schools (and their caregiver/s); and foster and transition age youth.

2.     Low Income individuals and families – “low income” is calculated using standards such as the Area Median Household Income for the county and state income limits as published by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the Federal Poverty Level, and housing burden calculations published by the CalEPA Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment.

3.     Participants are individuals, families or groups who are eligible to participate in the program based on the defined criteria for underserved youth and families and who have certified their eligibility to Family Vacation and Science and Education Program or had such eligibility verified by an Organization.

4.     Organizations – means a school, nonprofit organization, or government agency that organizes, coordinates, supervises or refers groups or program Participants who are eligible underserved youth and/or families.

This program is for California residents only. Proof of residency is required.

Forms can be completed and submitted online.  Once submitted, the application will automatically be sent to Family Vacation and Science and Education Program. You can also print, complete, scan and email the application to:  fvsefamily@paradisepoint.com

Application forms can also be turned in at the Lobby, Attn:  Josh Connaughy at Family Vacation and Science and Education Program or mailed to:

Paradise Point Resort & Spa

Attn:  Josh Connaughy

1404 Vacation Road

San Diego, CA 92109

Online applications are found here.

Printable applications are found here.

We will respond to applications in the order we receive them. Generally, this process takes 5 – 10 business days. Please be sure to provide the best contact information for us to get back to you. A Family Vacation and Science and Education Program reservationist will contact the person designated on the free stay application form by phone to book dates based on availability.

Reservations can be made for up to 5 nights consecutively.  The maximum number of nights any Participant may utilize is 5 free stay nights in any calendar  year. 

All reservations are made subject to availability. A Family Vacation and Science and Education Program reservationist will contact the person designated on the Free Stay Program Application to book dates based on availability. 

This program is for California residents and their guests only. Proof of residency is required.

Once the reservation is confirmed and your stay dates are booked, we will provide the contact information to book watercraft rentals. You can then book watercraft reservations directly with a Marina staff member.

This includes Paradise Point Marina (but not third-party) rentals of pedal boats, kayaks, and pontoon boats on a first-come, first-served basis.