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?

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.

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