RV Rental California

RV Rental California: Motorhome, Camper, and Trailer Rentals CA

California is the third-largest U.S. state by size and one of the most diverse by far. Where else can you spend the morning skiing and the afternoon surfing? Whether you like fine wines and dining, rugged adventure, or Hollywood magic, California has something for you. Renting an RV is one of the best ways to take in California. You can cruise in luxury and build more into your itinerary without worrying about lodging, not to mention save a ton on your Disneyland ticket. We’ve got the info on RV rentals in California. Whether you’re new to the RV world or an old motorhome veteran, this article is the perfect starting point for your California journey.

Popular RV Destinations in California

San Francisco

California’s famous city by the bay has plenty of RV parking surprisingly close to downtown. Head into the city to stroll along the Embarcadero, climb to the top of Coit Tower, or take a ferry to tour the infamous prison on Alcatraz Island. A short drive across the Golden Gate Bridge north of the city takes you to natural areas you won’t believe are so close by. Explore Golden Gate Park, the Muir Woods National Monument, and Mount Tamalpais, then take America’s most iconic road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway. We guarantee you’ll recognize the views. San Francisco is also California’s best gateway to wine country. You can tour the vineyards in your recreational vehicle, or park and go by train—handy if you plan to swig the wine rather than sip!

Big Sur

This adventure-filled natural area on California’s central coast packs an extraordinary amount of adventure into a small space. As you drive along the misty coast, you’ll see opportunities to explore mountain forests, hidden beaches, and secluded dining spots like the famous Nepenthe. It’s the perfect place to spot seals and condors in the wild. If you’re more of an urban explorer, you can enjoy the shops of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and dine at Mission Ranch Restaurant, owned by Clint Eastwood (who was also once the mayor). The famous Monterey Bay Aquarium and Pebble Beach Golf Course are just up the road. The latter, which is full of gorgeous views, is worth a visit even if you don’t golf.

Lake Tahoe

This massive freshwater lake sits on the border of California and Nevada. It’s one of the most famous natural recreation areas in the country, with plenty to do all year round: skiing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, mountain biking, and more, depending on the season. You can get around easily with a network of shuttle buses, but having your own vehicle grants great flexibility. Some of the most famous Tahoe destinations are the Flume Trail for mountain bikers, the Rubicon Trail for hikers, and the Emerald Bay viewpoint, one of the most photographed landscapes on the planet. Parking your RV is easy, whether you prefer official campgrounds or secluded pull offs.

Sequoia National Park

California’s favorite adopted son John Muir said that “the clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness,” and after seeing Sequoia National Park, you’ll find it hard to disagree. The park is open all year, though some roads might be closed when it snows. Visit General Sherman, the world’s largest tree, and plan a hike through meadows lined with the gigantic trees that give the park its name. Climb a stairway to the clouds at Moro Rock, then explore Tokopah Falls, a majestic 1,200-foot cascade. Kings Canyon National Park is close by, and boasts even more astounding views.

Events and Entertainment in California

Sports

If you’re a lover of America’s favorite pastime, California is your paradise, featuring the most Major League Baseball teams of any state: the Angels and Dodgers in Los Angeles, the Giants in San Francisco, the A’s in Oakland, and the Padres in San Diego. California teams have won a total of 13 World Series titles and 26 league pennants. If you’re not a baseball fan, California’s also dominant in other sports, with three pro football teams, four pro basketball teams, three hockey teams, and three soccer teams. Even if sports aren’t your thing at all, games are a fantastic opportunity to eat, drink, and party.

Theme Parks

No trip to California is complete without a visit to Disneyland in Anaheim, the first theme park ever built by the Walt Disney company. Enjoy the classic family fun at the original Disneyland, or the newer, locally inspired California Adventure. With new universes like Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars coming under the Disney umbrella every year, there’s never been a better time to visit. Disney isn’t the only park, though. Universal Studios Hollywood, close by in Los Angeles, features globally popular attractions like Springfield, U.S.A. and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Don’t miss the studio tour, which winds through the lots where Universal’s most famous movies were shot.

Music Festivals

Music fests are one of the destinations that reward RV travel most, since lodging can be tough to come by otherwise—and California is the epicenter of the festival scene. Coachella kicks off each year’s festival season with passionate crowds and a cross-genre lineup. Stagecoach, the world’s biggest country festival, draws acts from Carrie Underwood to Lil Nas X, while Napa Valley’s BottleRock mixes fine food and wine with the sounds of Pharrell, Neil Young, and Mumford & Sons. If you’re feeling brave, you can cross the Nevada state line to Burning Man, where a freewheeling village is born in the empty desert once a year.

Campgrounds and Parks in California

Mt. Lassen/Shingletown KOA

Lassen National Park is best known for its hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and volcanic activity, and this RV park is the perfect base camp to explore it. In addition to the park, you’ll enjoy quick access to the swimming spots at Whiskeytown Lake and the romantic views of Castle Crags State Park. For those who really like to get away, the wilderness of Klamath National Forest is right on this KOA’s doorstep. But it’s also near the urban centers of Redding and Sacramento. The campground itself features plenty of exciting activities, with a pool, playground, gathering tents, fishing spots, basketball courts, and other amenities. There’s a camp store, plus full bathroom facilities.

Upper Pines Campground at Yosemite

One of America’s oldest national parks, Yosemite is still among California’s greatest treasures. If it’s on your California RVing itinerary, try to get a spot at Upper Pines Campground, where you can park right next to trailheads that lead to all of Yosemite’s trademark views. From your parking spot, it’s easy to reach sheer rock faces, freefalling waterfalls, and alpine meadows strewn with wildflowers. Compared to some other RV parks, this is no luxury holiday camp, but Upper Pines is worth it if you want to really experience being away from it all. Enjoy paved roads, water, and flushing toilets, while still dodging the crowds.

South Carlsbad State Beach

If you’ve ever dreamed of parking your RV so close to the ocean you can hear the tide rolling, South Carlsbad State Beach is the place for you. This campground boasts not just RV hookups and reservable spaces, but also Wi-Fi, showers, and fire pits. You can surf, snorkel, and comb the beach within sight of your bedroom. Whenever you want a change of pace, you’re right near downtown San Diego, which has all the charm of San Francisco and Los Angeles but without the intensity. Visit the world-renowned San Diego Zoo, or brush up on your history at the U.S.S. Midway Museum.

RV Storage and Dump Stations in California

Between all the fantastic attractions, California has extensive facilities to keep things convenient for RV travelers. If you’re going to spend a few days in a city, you might want a safe place to stash your RV for a few days. No matter what, you’ll also need somewhere to get rid of your waste and graywater, either at standalone RV facilities or at dump stations connected to national parks. Some of the best RV storage sites in California:

• McBride’s RV Storage in Chino, near Los Angeles
• Island Park Storage in San Francisco
• American River RV and Boat Storage in Sacramento
• Campland on the Bay in San Diego

Some of the best dump stations:

• Fawndale Lodge & RV Resort in Redding
• Circle RV Resort at El Cajon
• Ramblin’ Redwoods Campground and RV near Redwoods National Park
• Mesquite Spring Campground at Death Valley
• A Country RV Park in Bakersfield

FAQs:

1. What are RV rentals?

RVs let you experience a huge variety of landscapes while always having a sleeping solution close at hand. The downside is that owning an RV can be expensive. RV rentals give you the chance to live the RV life without having to bear the full cost.

2. How much are RV rentals?

The price of an RV rental is determined by the duration and distance of your planned trip. You’ll need to add a daily base charge, a price per mile, and some other service fees to get the total cost. Smaller camper vans and trailers usually cost between $75 and $150 per night, while larger RVs can cost between $100 and $250 per night.

3. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in California?

You must be at least 21 to rent any sort of vehicle in the United States. Some RV companies, such as Cruise America, will let you rent an RV from 21 onward. Others, including RVshare (the Airbnb for RVs), have a minimum age of 25.

4. Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Like any motor vehicle, RV companies require you to have insurance before you can legally drive one. Most rental companies will offer insurance along with the price of the rental.

5. Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

It’s the right thing to do, but not all owners require it. Make sure to check on this with the owner or rental company before you set off.

6. Are RVs pet-friendly in California?

Just like above, this varies from owner to owner. Some allow pets, some forbid renters from bringing pets, and some require an extra pet deposit.