With over 170,000 miles of well-maintained roads and scenic splendors in every corner of the state, it’s no wonder California is the perfect destination for exploring behind the wheel of an RV. Depending on the length of your stay, itineraries can easily cover just a section of a state, such as Southern California beaches,
or be designed to cover larger areas to take in much more of the state’s grandeur, such as loops that include the Bay Area, Yosemite and Sequoia National Park. So think big and start your engines because California RV adventures are only limited by your imagination.
How to Get Rolling On Your California RV Adventure
California-based RV outlets like El Monte RV Motorhome Vacations offer multiple vehicle and camper types and some assistance on route planning. RVs available for rent include Class A bus styles, Class C cab-over styles and towable trailers. El Monte offices and affiliate are located around California including San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose and San Francisco.
California is used to being on the cutting edge, so it’s no surprise that even RV travel here has its own distinctive California spin. Besides the more conventional rentals, you’ll also find a particular penchant for retro and luxury variations, such as iconic Airstream trailers.
For high-rollers, it doesn’t get much better than the offerings from newcomerAirstream2Go, a rental outfit founded by a former Airstream CEO. While heading up the company, he fielded countless requests to rent the sleek silver campers and finally decided it was time to facilitate an entirely new way to enjoy the Airstream experience.
The company offers several tiers that include everything from do-it-yourself to a completely customized experience where elements such as guides, groceries and reserved parking sites are part of the package. Choices include either the Airstream 28’ or Airstream 23’ which are paired with a GMC Yukon Denali for towing. Airstream2Go rentals are available out of Los Angeles.
Santa Barbara’s Silver Safari outfit goes the retro route, allowing you to select from two different styles of vintage Airstream trailers they’ll set-up at area campgrounds or other locations for special events like weddings. Santa Barbara is also home to another retro Airstream option that foregoes the open road in favor of settling down in some prime real estate. Located in a tree-shaded private RV park in Santa Barbara’s Old Town, Autocamp features five impeccably restored Airstreams (vintages range from 1959 – 74) that feature bespoke touches like bamboo flooring, Earth-friendly Zero-VOC finishes, Corian countertops and Carrara marble tile. Grandpa’s camper they’re not. Plans are also underway to open more Autocamps in San Francisco, Ventura and Los Angeles.
In Joshua Tree, Hicksville offers desert views and amenities like a solar-heated saltwater pool along with the opportunity to stay in one of their ten trailers on the property that range from a vintage 22-foot Airstream to the gypsy-style caravan used in the film Big Top Pee Wee.
If you’re looking for a more compact option to travel the open road, Jucy Campervan rentals offer a minivan-sized alternative that nonetheless features goodies such as two double beds, gas stove, refrigerator and an LCD-TV. Jucy rental locations are available in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
California’s RV Destinations and Routes
Road trips and California go together like wine and cheese, so there truly are endless opportunities to discover the best of the state in an RV. A perennial favorite is our celebrated beaches, where state beaches and parks running the length of the state make it easy to explore that perfect stretch of sand awaiting your discovery. Options include the birthplace of So Cal beach culture, South Orange County’s San Onofre State Beach; LA surfer’s paradise Leo Carrillo State Beach with it’s sycamore-shaded campground; and the Central Coast’s Morro Bay State Park, a great location for sailing, birdwatching or even hitting the links at the public 18-hole course.
There are also tried-and-true classic routes along with many undiscovered ones you can take in the Golden State depending on your time and interests. Starting in San Francisco makes it easy to create loops that can include Napa and Sonoma wine country before heading north for the more undiscovered portions of Northern California.
Some notable stops and sights on this route include crossing the Golden Gate Bridge northbound and driving through Marin to destinations such as the dramatic headlands of Mendocino and the towering redwoods of Redwood National and State Parks in Humboldt County. Another option is heading east and south to famous parks and natural wonders like Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park and Death Valley National Monument.
A Bay Area or Los Angeles start makes for a great opportunity to explore the Central Coast’s empty beaches, loved-by-locals seafood restaurants and rapidly growing wine country. A few places not to miss include the inviting seaside town of Carmel and the wine-and-dine wonderland of Paso Robles. Other top spots along the Central Coast include William Randolph Hearst’s opulent San Simeon estate, Hearst Castle, and the twists, turns and postcard-perfect views of Big Sur.
Another favorite route out of Los Angeles is to head east to explore desert gems such as Palm Springs and Joshua Tree where natural wonders and Mid-Century architecture await. LA is also perfect for exploring the last remaining segments of the famous Route 66 in California.
If you’re interested in Route 66 history, areas to check out in the Los Angeles area include Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica, which was the famous highway’s terminus and Arroyo Seco Parkway near Highland Park. Another favorite stop recalling the history of the “Mother Road” is the ghost town of Amboy in the California desert, which drifted into history when the new Interstate 40 diverted traffic from the town. A great photo opp here is Roy’s Café, which has been used in various films.
San Diego departures offer an incredible variety of routes that take in everything from the nearby wine country of Temecula to the beautiful desert vistas of Anza Borrego State Park. Coastal itineraries are also popular from here if you’re seeking sun-and-fun and can include signature stops at Oceanside’s California Surf Museum and a chance to set up camp alongside Mission Bay at one of several parks.
California RV Resources
Reserve America is a one-stop resource for reserving campsites that also provides a comprehensive list of California campgrounds and links to other helpful information such as quick tips for RV beginners. The California State Parks website is another great resource for RV campers, providing detailed information on beaches, parks and campsites, as well as providing regional maps and tips for campers.
Source:- Visit California
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