Networking for the Best Vacation

It's June 29th; the kids are out of school; the heat wave has hit, and you haven't booked your summer vacation yet...You do some searches for favorite destinations: the beach, the city, local mountains...but it seems like all the best places have been booked for months. Try not to despair, take a deep breath, stretch your fingers, and start inquiring anyway.

Looking for a vacation rental? Inquire about your favorite place even if booked. Ask the owner if they know of anyone who might have availability or if they have had any last minute cancellations. Many vacation rental owners know their neighbors and network with other vacation rental owners. This is true in all three vacation rentals that I own. Any owner worth their salt is happy to help you find a place. Reward them with a future stay or a referral to a friend for another time. Make sure you let the people they hook you up with know who referred you.

Vacation rental not your thing? This article has some good tips for finding hotel availability and for alternatives to the standard summer beach or lake vacation:How to Plan a Last-Minute Summer Vacation. Some of my favorite vacations are those taken to popular places in their "off season" - think the desert in summer and ski area in summer. This is also a good time to look into secondary destinations: smaller cities and lesser know lakes or beaches.

Have fun and share your favorite last minute vacation finds here!

Mission San Luis Rey hosts lectures, and tours

Oceanside's Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is our own historical gem. This summer it is host to educational lectures, and part of a CA Mission Tour including the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Check out the link here for more information on these events: SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Features -- Are you ready for some words from the wise?: "Trips and tours
Sign up now for the California Mission Tour sponsored by Baja California Tours Inc. June 14. The package includes round-trip coach transportation from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano, docent-guided tours of Mission San Luis Rey de Francia and Mission San Juan Capistrano, plus lunch at Cafe Mozart in San Juan Capistrano. The price is $94 per person; call (858) 454-7166. "