Obtaining hotel room at last moment
 

Starting to plan a trip from L.A. to San Fran in either late April/early June or September (to miss the family traffic). Would rather not lock us (wife @ I) into a rigid schedule. Is it possible to book rooms along the coastal towns within a day or to of arriving during those periods.

It's always best to book a room approximately where you plan to spend the night that can be cancelled up until 6PM the same day. Nothing worse than spending hours looking for a place to sleep late at night because there was some festival or convention or other special event going on at your destination you didn't know about but there isn't a room to be had for miles and miles. And, depending upon where you're going, it's usually best to phone ahead (even if it's from your cell phone in the parking lot) and inquire about availability and rates. You'll get a much better rate. Note that more and more folks since 9/11 and all the airline aggravations are taking to the road. Even before that, June and September were getting busier and busier for the weather and shoulder season rates.

As well, when u walk in looking tired at 8pm, they know they "got you" and the prices are likely to be considerably higher than if you booked in advance. (ever wonder who pays rack rates?)

You can book on Priceline last minute.<BR>However, it depends if anything is still available in the hotels they deal with at that time.

Actually, 6pm, or 4pm at resort areas, is a very good time to ask for a room. Many hotels have a &quot;courtesy hold&quot; for reservations - no credit card required - until that time, in which it can find itself with rooms to sell. The last time I used it as a guest I watched several parties turned away, when I asked &quot;did u pull your 6pm's yet&quot; .. which they hadn't (they were so busy hadn't noticed the time) and I got a room.