Written by: Lisa & Anthony
Craving the Coast Again: The Itch to Travel Doesn’t Wait Long
We’d only been back a few days from a 10-day trip up the California coast, and we were already missing it.
So what do you do?
We immediately started searching for a local weekend beachfront getaway spot of course!
The Struggle Is Real: Finding Last-Minute Camping Spots
Now here’s the problem—if you’ve ever tried to find last-minute camping spots, you know how difficult it is… almost impossible, really, these days.
Why Off-Season Doesn’t Exist Anymore
Years ago, it seemed easier to plan quick trips during the “off-season.”
But these days… there never seems to be a time when people aren’t vacationing. It’s probably due to the multitude of remote jobs and people realizing the joy and beauty the great outdoors has to offer.
We’re Not Complaining—But It Makes Spontaneous Travel Harder
We’re not here to knock it—because we love to encourage everyone to get outside and explore. However, when you find yourself with some free time, you’re hard-pressed to find a last-minute place to go.
Our Tried-and-True Tips for Booking Last-Minute Campsites
With that being said, we’re here to offer some tips and tricks we’ve learned through trial, error, and lots of perseverance (aka we’re going to find a way to camp if it’s the last thing we do!).
Targeting Coveted Coastal Campgrounds in California
We wanted to stay at either South Carlsbad State Beach or San Elijo State Beach… on a weekend.
Yes, we know that may sound like a crazy thing to hope for, especially last minute, but hear us out.
Using ReserveCalifornia (and Why the Notification System Isn’t Enough)
We began our search on a Monday leading up to the weekend. We logged into the ReserveCalifornia website, put in the weekend dates—only to see “0 Campsites available.”
They have a section where you can enter your info in case something opens up, but… that’s rarely how we actually book.
Our Secret to Booking High-Demand Campgrounds—Even on Weekends
We actually learned a simple trick that has never failed to get us into the most coveted campgrounds. Yes, even oceanfront sites and top National Parks.
The Flexibility Advantage of Vanlife and Pleasure-Way Travel
Our process will require some flexibility, but isn’t that the beauty of Pleasure-Way travel and the vanlife experience?
You never have to do a major setup or unpacking when you arrive—just show up in your “home on wheels,” ready to enjoy.
Step-by-Step: How We Search for Campsites That Actually Open Up
After our first attempt failed, we adjusted. Instead of booking multiple days, we searched for one day at a time—Friday only, Saturday only, and so on.
When to Search: Timing Is Everything
Keep searching:
- Early morning (7:00 – 8:00 a.m.)
- Afternoon (2:00 – 3:00 p.m.)
- Late night (9:00 – 10:00 p.m.)
As your arrival date approaches, cancellations will happen because so many people book 6+ months in advance and life happens/issues come up…cancellations are inevitable.
Embrace the Movement: Be Willing to Change Campsites Daily
Yes, you might have to move spots each day. But that flexibility can lead to epic views. We skipped less scenic sites and ended up with two oceanfront spots—back to back!
It Works Beyond the Beach: Yosemite, Yellowstone, and More
This strategy isn’t just for coastal campgrounds. We’ve used it at Yosemite during Firefall and even Yellowstone—both notoriously difficult to book.
Final Thoughts: Unlock the Joy of Spontaneous Travel
We can’t stress enough how this process has worked for us over the past 5+ years.
We hope you find these tips helpful in opening up a whole new “last-minute/spur-of-the-moment” travel experience.
There’s truly nothing better than finding yourself with a few free days and booking those bucket list campsites!
See You Out There!
Happy travels—and hope to see you out on the open road… or maybe in a spot next to us in one of those last-minute campgrounds!
