Ever heard of grunion fishing? Check it out at: Time is near to hunt down some grunion -- no, really North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News - NCTimes.com - Californian.com!
Your next chance to view the miracle of these silver fish on the beach is August 23-26. Oceanside is the perfect place to go.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Vacation crowd control-What you should know!
I read with interest how so many people travel with extended family and friends every year. This seems to be a growing trend, and I know that at North Coast Village in Oceanside we get a lot of family reunions as well as groups of families vacationing together. A recent thread on a vacation rental owners' forum deals specifically with how to deal with the growing trends of both overcrowding in a single rental, and in condo developments, the gatherings of groups traveling together and how to keep it in control.
This article: Vacation crowd control�-�Family Times�-�The Washington Times, America's Newspaper deals well from the vacationer's point of view in the sense of what to look for in compatibilty of people, but as an owner, I'd like to add a list of things to look for in your vacation rental, as well as what owners, developments, and communities expect from larger groups (and in many cases any vacationer) when they get together. Considering all of these things will make your reunion or group vacation go much more smoothly.
Before selecting a vacation rental home, condo, or development:
1. Know for sure how many adults and how many children will be traveling. Include this information up front in inquiries to owners and property managers. If these are family groups - specify. If you are 4 golf buddies - tell them. It matters. Example: We are 4 families traveling together. Our makeup includes:
Family 1: -1 elderly with limited ability to handle stairs
-2 kids ages 7, 9
-2 tired parents
You understand! What this allows the owner or property manager to do is understand your needs better. They can let you know that there is a downstairs bedroom and bath perfect for grandma and that there are boogie boards for the kids. They can also let you know when the place is all wrong. Know sense going to a place full of valuable antiques when you need a high chair and outlet covers!
2. If you will be planning a party or gathering, or cookout, or birthday party at the vacation rental, tell the owner up front. They might know that the septic can't handle it, or be able to arrange the use of the condo complex's party room for you. They may require a larger deposit, but you'll take great care and get it back anyway - right?!
3. If you are renting several units in one complex, let each or property manager know. Ask the first one for other units to suit your needs. Often owners know each other and know the best matched condos. In addition, if you accidentally leave the towels to their place in another unit, they know where to look.
During your stay:
1. NEVER ever sneak in more people than are allowed or are in your contract! Many times cities, homeowners associations, and individual owners have specific limits on occupancy, parking, and such. These are for your well being as well as the community's. If you violate these terms, not only can you be evicted, but you may lose the option of vacation rentals. In many areas (Encinitas, CA and HI included) are trying to ban short term vacation rentals because of overcrowding, noise, trash, and parking problems.
2. Take good care of the rental. This is someone's vacation home or life savings.
3. Be courteous. This is your vacation, but it is also someone's hometown. If you are in a dense area realize that others may be working in the morning. When you meet locals, treet them like your own neighbors. Pick up after yourself.
4. Be honest. If you or your guests break something, fix it and/or tell the owner or property manager about it. Don't hide the wine stained linens in the closet, or pretend that the kitchen chair didn't break. It's the right thing to do, and you will typically be welcomed back because you owned up to the problem.
After your stay:
1. Let the owner or property manager know if anything was in need of repair or attention.
2. Say thank you...
3. Book for next year!
4. Enjoy your memories.
This article: Vacation crowd control�-�Family Times�-�The Washington Times, America's Newspaper deals well from the vacationer's point of view in the sense of what to look for in compatibilty of people, but as an owner, I'd like to add a list of things to look for in your vacation rental, as well as what owners, developments, and communities expect from larger groups (and in many cases any vacationer) when they get together. Considering all of these things will make your reunion or group vacation go much more smoothly.
Before selecting a vacation rental home, condo, or development:
1. Know for sure how many adults and how many children will be traveling. Include this information up front in inquiries to owners and property managers. If these are family groups - specify. If you are 4 golf buddies - tell them. It matters. Example: We are 4 families traveling together. Our makeup includes:
Family 1: -1 elderly with limited ability to handle stairs
-2 kids ages 7, 9
-2 tired parents
You understand! What this allows the owner or property manager to do is understand your needs better. They can let you know that there is a downstairs bedroom and bath perfect for grandma and that there are boogie boards for the kids. They can also let you know when the place is all wrong. Know sense going to a place full of valuable antiques when you need a high chair and outlet covers!
2. If you will be planning a party or gathering, or cookout, or birthday party at the vacation rental, tell the owner up front. They might know that the septic can't handle it, or be able to arrange the use of the condo complex's party room for you. They may require a larger deposit, but you'll take great care and get it back anyway - right?!
3. If you are renting several units in one complex, let each or property manager know. Ask the first one for other units to suit your needs. Often owners know each other and know the best matched condos. In addition, if you accidentally leave the towels to their place in another unit, they know where to look.
During your stay:
1. NEVER ever sneak in more people than are allowed or are in your contract! Many times cities, homeowners associations, and individual owners have specific limits on occupancy, parking, and such. These are for your well being as well as the community's. If you violate these terms, not only can you be evicted, but you may lose the option of vacation rentals. In many areas (Encinitas, CA and HI included) are trying to ban short term vacation rentals because of overcrowding, noise, trash, and parking problems.
2. Take good care of the rental. This is someone's vacation home or life savings.
3. Be courteous. This is your vacation, but it is also someone's hometown. If you are in a dense area realize that others may be working in the morning. When you meet locals, treet them like your own neighbors. Pick up after yourself.
4. Be honest. If you or your guests break something, fix it and/or tell the owner or property manager about it. Don't hide the wine stained linens in the closet, or pretend that the kitchen chair didn't break. It's the right thing to do, and you will typically be welcomed back because you owned up to the problem.
After your stay:
1. Let the owner or property manager know if anything was in need of repair or attention.
2. Say thank you...
3. Book for next year!
4. Enjoy your memories.
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