My What a Big List You Have!
1) $60-70 is a relatively standard rate for a relatively standard room in a non-resort area. You should occasionally find rooms for less although the quality may not be as good, and will sometimes have to pay more in areas and at times when there a lot of tourists.
2) I usually book mine several weeks in advance if I know when and where I'll be, but unless you're in a popular area (as above) you can usually find a vacant room on the fly without too much trouble.
3) If you really know the dates you'll be there, do some on-line shopping ahead of time and lock in any particularly good rate you find. If you find something better at a later date, you can almost always cancel a reservation with 24-48 hours notice. Check the cancellation policy whenever you book a room. But Santa Barbara in June is one of those places/times when things might get booked up.
4) Rooms can be booked by phone, either to the motel chain's headquarters or to the desk at the actual motel. I prefer the later, and get the full name of the person making the reservation as well as the confirmation number. You can also usually book on line, again get the confirmation #. Most hotels taking on-line bookings will send you an e-mail confirmation. Print it out and bring it with you.
5) You will be asked to present a credit card number when making the reservation, but should not be charged until you actually stay. There is no need to pay beforehand.
6) Visa Electron is not used or recognized in the United States. If you can get or already have a standard Visa or MasterCard credit card, that is what you want. One or the other is practically de rigueur for travel in North America.
7) 8) 9) Other than giving you generic, cheesy warnings such as "avoid South L.A." the best advice is to follow your instincts. If you get into an area that makes you feel uncomfortable, just drive on the mains streets until you are in a better neighborhood. If you are worried about booking a motel in an undesirable neighborhood, use Google Earth to take a virtual walk down the streets around your prospective hotel and decide accordingly.
10) There will be "Rest Areas" about every 25-50 miles on the major Interstate Highways, but as a rule there are not a lot of public restrooms in America. However, for a nominal purchase, say a cup of coffee, you can use the restrooms in the practically ubiquitous fast food restaurants such as McDonalds, Burger King and the like. Also restrooms in public buildings such as libraries, town halls, etc are available as are those in many public parks.
11) As noted above, most motels allow cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
12) No idea.
13) ATM's are everywhere and support most of the major international banking networks such as Interlink, Plus, Star, and the like.
14) A Continental Breakfast is basically just juice, coffee and breads such as buns or bagels. Some may include cereal and fruit but none will include eggs or breakfast meats unless they specifically say so.
15) Complimentary means free - included in the cost of your room.
16) In my neck of the desert, yes. But I have never gotten close to one without it making its presence known well before I was close enough for it to strike. They don't want to bother with you any more than you want to bother with them. Still, keep an eye out and if you are camping in the desert, be sure to check all items of clothing, including your sleeping bag, before putting them on or getting in.
AZBuck
