Labor Day

Despite higher airfares and gasoline prices, Southern Californians plan to travel in big numbers for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, marking 12 months of expected travel increases on holidays, according to the Auto Club of Southern California. "Given we are now almost a solid year of projected increases in travel, we see this as a sign that consumers are either tired of holding off on travel or are feeling a little better about economic conditions," said Auto Club spokeswoman Marie Montgomery.

As they hit the highway for that last road trip of summer, many drivers will pay more for a gallon of gasoline than during any previous Labor Day holiday weekend. And it isn't all Hurricane Isaac's fault. In California, the recent Chevron Corp. refinery fire is the main reason the state will see a second straight record high for the gas price average during the traditional three-day ending of the summer driving season, analysts said. The average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline Friday was $4.157, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, well above the previous record of $3.915 to $3.973 set during the three-day period last year.

Americans are putting the brakes on Labor Day weekend travel plans this year, as economic strains combine with a quirk of the calendar. Capping a rough staycation summer for the tourism business, the American Automobile Assn. estimated that 39.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between the Thursday and Monday of Labor Day weekend -- down 6 million, or 13.3%, from last year's holiday traveler tally. It's also the first decline since 2006. About 4.7 million Californians will travel over the weekend, off 13% from 5.4 million last year, AAA said.

If you're revving up the engine to get a jump-start on your holiday weekend, you're already too late. Travelers should have hit L.A.'s freeways before noon Friday to avoid big traffic, and the worst will come between 5 and 6 p.m. this evening. Best time to flee? Saturday morning. That's the advice from INRIX traffic information that says New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., in that order, will be the most congested areas of the nation over Labor Day weekend. "Those leaving [L.A.]

Maybe you want to spend Labor Day somewhere other folks aren't going to visit, somewhere like Southern California. Travel website Hotwire reports that New York, Chicago and Las Vegas are the most popular weekend destinations for the upcoming holiday. L.A. didn't place among the top 10. Here's the upside: Stay local and avoid the crush. Le Parc Suite Hotel in West Hollywood has a Labor Day deal that takes up to 20% off at the all-suite boutique hotel. What's there to do? Check out our picks on Southern California Close-Ups: From West Hollywood to Wilshire . The deal: The Labor Day Sale features tiered pricing based on how long you stay: one night, 10% off; two nights, 15% off; three nights, 20% off. You may lounge around the hotel's Skydeck with cabanas, a tennis court and roof-top pool, or work out at the hotel's gym. If you need to get a little work done, there's free Wi-Fi (even pool-side)

The calendar says we have six weeks before summer slips away entirely, and you haven't done enough. So here is an illustrated hit list of 49 striking scenes and seasonally appropriate delights in Oregon, Washington and Canada -- from seafood in Seattle to dodge ball in Portland to the sweetest hemp cookies in all of Nelson, Canada. My family and I found these wonders and more on a 12-day road trip that began in Seattle, veered northeast to Lake Chelan (in central Washington)

The price of gasoline in California and nationwide ticked up in the last week. Four states, including California, are back over the $4-a-gallon threshold. Across the country, the price of a gallon of regular gas was at $3.75 on Monday, up from $3.72 a week earlier. Last month, a gallon cost $3.48, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report . California's average gas price is $4.13 a gallon, up from the week-ago price of nearly $4.12. The only state with more expensive gas was Hawaii, where a gallon hit $4.28 on Monday.

Put down the barbecue tongs and flee the back yard this Labor Day with a last-minute stay at Treasure Island in Las Vegas . Three nights plus tickets to Bill Cosby's live show costs $297 this weekend only. Of course, you'll have to find your own barbecue. The deal: The K Hotels' TI: Treasure Island offer comes by way of hotel booking website K Hotels. The deal includes two tickets to Cosby's performance at 8 p.m. Saturday and breakfast for two. Call and use the promo code "LDAY" to get this deal.

Take a drive on U.S. Highway 395 to Mammoth Lakes, Calif., and pay $395 for a three-night stay at Snowcreek Resort . This package at the 450-acre vacation rental resort is ideal for Labor Day  and good for families that want to hike, fish or just laze around the eastern Sierra site. The deal: Stay $395 includes three nights in a one-bedroom condo. Visitors have access to the resort's athletic club (indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and racquetball, exercise classes)

Labor Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the holiday than with some good food, cold drinks and friends? If you're planning a barbecue, be sure to check out these 38 grilling and chilling recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen. Feel like having someone else do the cooking? Here are some food and drink specials happening around town: Rock and Reilly's is hosting a white party from 11:30 a.m. till closing. The Irish rock pub will be serving $5 Patron specialty cocktails, have DJs spinning and a slew of games to play including ring toss, corn hole and darts.