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It's August. Do you know where your vacation is? 3 instant getaways: Whistler, B.C., San Diego, Santa Fe

Sunset, August, 2005 by David Zaitz, Abigail Peterson, Ken McAlpine

You've been too busy with coach-pitch softball, end-of-fiscal-year estimates, or re-staining the deck to plan a summer trip, and now the season threatens to bolt away from you like a runaway bride. Where can you go? Won't all the flights be booked? The hotels full? All the beach towels taken?

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Relax. We're here to help. Here are three great vacations, trial-tested--at the last minute--by three families. A father, son, and daughter-in-law escape to British Columbia. A family of four plunges into San Diego's Mission Bay. And a couple of die-hard urbanites find culture (and sun) in Santa Fe. Each family's trip has been vetted for last-minute appeal: Even on short notice, these spots are easy to get to and will have plenty of rooms available.

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You have 36 days from August 1 to Labor Day. Don't waste a single one.

WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Bears and berries

Two generations adventure in the Northwest

One thing to keep in mind on a summer getaway to Whistler: There's no need to shatter an ulna to have a great time. Though the legions of hard-core dirt-devil mountain bikers around town do seem to boast a higher-than-usual tally of crutches and casts, there are plenty of places for mere mortals to explore.

Mere mortals and bears, that is. Whistler's bear man, Michael Allen, supports his research into local black bear populations by leading bear-viewing tours on Whistler Mountain. We spot Jeanie, one of Allen's favorites, only minutes after heading out. "I named her after my Scottish grandmother," Allen explains fondly. "They have the same color hair."

Back at the mountain's base, we wander around the main village--a compact collection of hotels, shops, and restaurants connected by a series of paved, pedestrian-only walkways. But after a few hours, the village starts feeling pretty tame.

Road-tripping in the wilds north of town, we hike past the glaciers and milky turquoise alpine waters of Joffre Lakes Provincial Park and linger in the farming village of Pemberton. Family-owned North Arm Farm has a thriving U-pick flower and berry business. We carry off two huge flats of ripe red raspberries, which my husband mashes up and steeps in vodka in our hotel room sink. The rich, syrupy shots we toast with at Thanksgiving still taste just like August in British Columbia.

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GOING AT THE LAST MINUTE

* Fly into Vancouver; from there, Whistler is an easy two-and-a-half-hour drive.

* Hotel rooms are easy to come by: The town has more than 5,400 of them.

* Walk or bike everywhere in the main resort village.

Tour Whistler

Getting around

Whistler lies about 80 miles north of Vancouver, British Columbia. From the Vancouver airport, drive or take a bus to the resort. You don't need a car in the main village, but you'll want to reserve one before you arrive (either at the airport or in Whistler) for at least a day so you can road-trip to the north. All prices listed here are in U.S. dollars.

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Dress like a local

Sporty designs from the Canadian company Roots are sold all over town. Cargo pants, T-shirts, hiking boots, and fleeces are the order of the day. Pick up a Vancouver 2010 cap, and you're good to go.

Where to stay

Whistler Central Reservations (www.tourismwhistler.com or 800/944-7853) lists lodging options and packages for the resort. For bargain family trips, ask about condominium packages both in the main village and outside town (rent bikes if you stay farther away).

Summit Lodge & Spa. Friendly spot in the north village conveniently close to a supermarket. Well-appointed rooms at an excellent price. 81 suites with kitchenettes from $129. 4359 Main St.; www.summitlodge.com or 888/913-8811.

Sundial Boutique Hotel. An all-suite boutique hotel overlooking Whistler Mountain Bike Park ($32 per day). 49 suites with kitchenettes from $175. 4340 Sundial Crescent; www.sundialhotel.com or 800/661-2321.

Where to eat

Alpine Cafe & Catering Co. A don't-miss spot just outside town. Try mushroom soup with whole-wheat bread and a side of fresh corn salad. $. 8104 McKeevers Place; 604/905-4663.

Araxi Restaurant. Local institution's highlights include B.C. salmon and oysters, and the wine list is topnotch. $$$$. 4222 Village Square; 604/932-4540.

What to do

Bear-viewing tour. Late summer is prime season for the mountain's black bears. Three-hour tours are offered up to four times a day--pricey, but unforgettable. $143 per person. 800/766-0449 or 604/932-3434.

Hike on Whistler Mountain. Take a gondola tide up 6,000 feet to see wildflowers at Harmony Lake. $20 per person. Purchase at the Whistler Activities Centre, 4010 Whistler Way; 604/938-2769.

Road-trip north of Whistler. Follow Provincial Hwy. 99 north to flower and berry picking at North Arm Farm, and hiking at Joffre Lakes and Nairn Falls provincial parks. North Arm Farm, 1888 Hwy. 99, Pemberton; www.northarmfarm.com or 604/894-5379. Go to www.bcparks.ca for provincial parks information.

It's August. Do you know where your vacation is? 3 instant getaways: Whistler, B.C., San Diego, Santa Fe

Sunset, August, 2005 by David Zaitz, Abigail Peterson, Ken McAlpine

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