Car rental tips.

I am attempting to plan a trip to California for spring break and have been looking at rental cars to get an idea of price for everything. (While I was researching flight prices I got an e-certificate for $75 dollars off a flight, making the round trip (FL to CA) just over 100bucks- I am taking that as a sign that I should do this.) 1. Does any rental car company in the US rent a manual transmission? (Saves gas and is my favorite thing to drive...all I have seen on google is links to other countries rental agencies.) 2. I was looking at the discounts I can get through my flyer miles club (plus get more miles), depending on the company it ranges from 15 to 50 dollars off. (More if I rent for a week.) Are there other places to look for discounts? I know the entertainment books had coupons in them in the past. I'd love to make this trip as low cost as my week long trip to Boston/Connecticut in 2004 - I ended up spending a total of just over $300 including the flight, renting a car for two days, souvenirs, and staying in the hostel. Thanks in advance.