We are considering a week driving along the central coast in August and I am wondering if we will end up stuck if we do this without reservations. It would be nice to have flexibility but I know this is high season.
Anybody done this and did you end up staying in places you would rather not? We aren't overly particular that we have to stay in premium hotels but don't want to do dives either.

Thanks

Weekdays in August you can usually find something decent by just booking a week ahead, but weekends require 60 days advance or so. Especially for Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, San Simeon and Carmel/Monterey.

Booking ahead will save you money as "walk-ins" are usually gauged, especially as everything is filling up for the night. Hotels are famous for calling around town to see if all the other places are full, then jacking up the rates for the night.

This is a frequently discussed trip and by typing "Central Coast" or any of the city names into the search box above, you'll get lots of ideas.

Try to book places with just a 24 hour cancellation notice so that you will retain a bit of flexibility. If you let us know how many days you have and what your tentative ideas are, we can probably help you plan out an itinerary that will make you feel a little better about not being able to just "wing it".

Many coastal accommodations in the summer have a 2- or 3-night minimum stay between Thursdays and Mondays.

I would definitely not attempt to go without reservations. You will more than likely end up spending a lot for marginal rooms that are far from where you want to be.

We had done a similar trip, but more off season (March). We booked a room in Big Sur figuring that it may be difficult otherwise (there are only a few hotels/motels in that area). The 2nd night we did not book, but did research some good areas that have lots of options. We ended up in Solvang. We had the best and cheapest accommodation of the entire trip there (also stayed in San Fran and Santa Monica)!

Things may be different in the summer. I agree to book a few places along your route with good cancellation policies.

Weekends (Friday-Saturday) will be mostly full.

Especially if you do care about where you stay, book ahead.

You didn't say exactly how you define "central coast". If you included Big Sur, definitely book ahead no matter what week.

There are a few spots where you can wing it, and still get a room, if you are inland...Lompoc, Santa Maria. But that probably isn't what you meant.

I wouldn't want to risk it without reservations. Years ago we drove to Santa Barbara and ended up sleeping in our MGA, parked in front of the bus station so we'd have a place to clean up in the morning. We were young then--we'd now have to call AAA to bring a crane to remove us from the car!

Seriously, have someplace lined up in a very busy summer month in this popular area.

Thanks to all for your input. I would certainly be better off if we were doing this in September or October. I will do more research, if we end up needing to book for some locations that does kind of lock us in for everything which isn't the worst thing to happen. At least we know we will be in good places each night.

Thanks again

Keep in mind that places like Ventura, Santa Maria, Paso Robles may have rooms on short notice--beach places will be expensive as many book by the week. You might consider using one chain (ie Best Western)who might help reserve a room ahead.

My boyfriend and I did this when we were in college one August and it was a nightmare finding rooms.

One thing to keep in mind is with the gas prices so high--tourism may be down--from out-of-state anyway. Gas is currently 3.59/gal in Bay Area.

August is the busiest month on the coast---Fridays and Sat, MUST be booked ahead, as they fill up early and usually must be booked together...
June is less packed but 4th July on to Sept (Labor Day) is very busy...It is my favorite coast area in the state...

The current economy will definitely hurt the tourism industry, but I still wouldn't go without reservations in the summer time. The demand is higher than supply for rooms in desireable areas, so a drop in tourism will probably mean a drop in occupancy rates in the "overflow" areas, but things will have to get a lot worse before you will find readily available vacancies along the coast.

We stumbled upon Moonstone Beach at Cambria and loved the Best Western there (booked before our arrival). But, there are so many hotels in that small area it would be a good bet for a last minute trip. I'd still reserve a room somewhere with a 6pm checkout if possible and cancel it if you find a room closer to where you find yourself on a given afternoon.