Hi, We are taking a road trip from SF to LA in mid September. We usually visit Florida at this time of year and do not book any hotels and pick up some really good deals on the day. This is what we are planning to do on our way down to LA and we have not booked any accomodation for the six nights. Am I correct in thinking that we should pick up some good rates doing this , although I do realise we may not always get the hotels/inns we want ?

Most hotels along that route will tell you that the front desk staff cannot give you the low rates available on the internet. So if you can get internet access, try that first. Second strategy: If you call them or go in person they will quote you their highest rate. But if you say that is not within your range and ask them for special promotional and discount rates, they will usually come up with a cheaper rate. Bookings are down due to the recession so you won't have any problems getting a room at the last minute.
Have fun. Be sure that your drive between Monterey and Santa Barbara is on scenic Hwy 1 not the boring Hwy 5.

Thank you , that is very useful information . What is the weather like at the moment as we get very mixed reports ?

Are you traveling over a weekend? Hotels in Carmel and Santa Barbara have two and three night minimuns... also if it is a holiday weekend or event weekend they may already be sold out.

The weather is crazy here... we do not know from one day to the next if it will be 60 and goggy or 90 and sunny.

foggy.... sorry. Welcome to California!

I agree the winging-it on weekends is very risky in September, which can be the hottest month in California.

As a college student I worked at a hotel, and walk-up rates were always higher than internet rates and phone rates, so call first. If you walk in, they figure there's a pretty good chance you want to stay and they'll try to get the most that they can out of you. Also, managers with the authority to lower rates might not be around after 3pm or 5pm.

Check roomsaver.com and clip some of the coupons to have with you. They state "for walk-ins only" but usually you can phone ahead and ask if they can accept the coupon that night.

But again, Monterey and Santa Barbara for weekend nights in September? No way. Weeknights you should be okay.

And good move picking California instead of Florida during hurricane season! You're going to have a very nice drive but VERY different from driving the coast of FLorida. Can you handle high cliffs and twisty turns? Let the more squeamish person drive because the passenger seat can be scary on some of the coast!

we have not booked any accomodation for the six nights. Am I correct in thinking that we should pick up some good rates doing this , although I do realise we may not always get the hotels/inns we want ?
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In my experience, that is usually based on supply and demand. The more rooms occupied, the higher the price at last minute bookings. If the hotel met it's quota they don't need to budge on rates.
In September, both areas are popular. Are you looking at rates? If it were me- I'd at least reserve now and cancel if something else better comes along when you get here.
Enjoy!

Thank you again . We are arriving in the Carmel are on a Thursday , probably for 3 nights and then the Santa Barbara area for 3 nights from the Monday . I do have a long list of possible accommodation and most of it is available online at the moment.We also fancy the Pacific Grove area and can be quite flexible .This appears to be very much different from Florida where the walkin rate is always good if rooms are available.Thank you and so looking forward to this holiday , especially if the sun shines as we don't get a lot of that in England !

The Central Coast is very popular with Californians in September, especially on the weekends, because the weather is better than in summer. Santa Barbara is a popular weekend getaway for Los Angelones and Carmel is popular with San Franciscans, so do not count on being able to just walk up to hotels and find availability at a low rate. Also unlike Florida there are not lots of motels on the coast and there are large stretches where there is very few to no accomodations such as Big Sur.

I would definitely book rooms now especially for Carmel as it's the weekend. Last minute rates will be higher plus you will spend your whole time going from hotel to hotel trying to find a room. Santa Barbara might be a little easier since it's the weekday but I wouldn't chance it. Earlier this summer I was trying to book my favorite hotel in Pismo Beach for a Monday night and it was totally full.

You can get better walk-up rates here in California but that is in the winter. I had booked a hotel in Santa Barbara for a decent price and was sitting in the lobby during their wine and cheese hour. A couple just walked in and got a lower rate than I did. I probably would have asked the hotel to lower my rate but the price difference wasn't huge and my company was paying for it. But you always take a chance that there is no room availability.

September is the very best month on the coast and Californians know that --so that is when we go there. (Not in June/July when all the other tourists find cold and fog )

Since you want 3 nights in both towns --I would 100% pre-book and do it ASAP. Sure, on Thursday you may find a nice place in Carmel w/ a room available -- but is booked full on Fri and/or Sat. Same w/ Santa Barbara. SB is a very pricey area and walk up rates (even IF you find a place w/ 3 consecutive nights open) could be lower or they could be astronomical.

I wing it on a lot of my trips -- Even in Europe, etc. But NOT on the CA coast in September.

Yes, Central California coast is radically different in every possible way from Florida. Nothing you know of in Florida will translate over. There are very quaint B&B's with ocean views in Pacific Grove. Even if you don't stay there, Pacific Grove is definitely a must see and a "must walk" along its seaside trail.
The weather in this area can vary from comfortable to chilly, from sunny to foggy, in a matter of 1/4 mile or in a matter of 30 minutes time. So dress in layers so you can strip off and add back on clothing as the conditions change. Nights will be cool. At times the beach can be as chilly as requiring thick sweaters or heavy jackets. So bring clothing for every possible temperature between 55 degrees and 80 degrees fahrenheit. (Or buy it there.
Don't miss the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Point Lobos State Reserve.
Have fun!

I'm wondering as well about whether I should book for two nights in January (Monday and Tuesday nights) in Santa Barbara, I thought we could get lower rates just walking in. Would it still be wise to reserve even mid week in January?

Micah3: Wouldn't be totally necessary in Jan. But the thing about pre-booking is you can usually get much lower rates by booking/prepaying your stay. Many hotels and even some B&Bs have much cheaper pre-paid rates (though usually non-refundable) on their websites.

Hi , thank you for all the advise . I think I know what my job is this evening , wish me luck !

Hi , Many thanks for your advice. It took me a while , but I have now found and booked some excellent accommodation and yes , both venues were well booked up . Can't wait , setting off on Saturday for 3 weeks .