Burbank, California RV Rentals

When you think of visiting Hollywood, you think of film studios and behind-the-scenes tours — but you actually won’t find these famous destinations in the city of Hollywood. In fact, you have to travel beyond the Los Angeles area, as all of the best film studios, backlot tours, and entertainment world destinations are actually located several miles away in Burbank. As the true capital of film and television, Burbank is a quiet city that’s packed with entertainment and cool destinations. Fortunately, Burbank RV rentals allow you to experience all of these cool sights and activities up close.

Burbank may not seem as glamorous as Hollywood, but it’s home to some of the real hidden gems in the entertainment industry. With a combination of urban sights and small-town charm, you can explore everything from sprawling natural landscapes to working studio lots within the city limits. As you plan your next RV trip, you’ll want to make sure to consider renting an RV in Burbank to see all that this lesser-known California destination has to offer. 

Popular RV Destinations in Burbank

Warner Brothers Studio

You absolutely can’t skip a visit to Warner Brothers Studio when you’re visiting Burbank. While it isn’t exactly an RV-friendly site or camping destination, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience — at this working TV and film studio, you can see the magic of your favorite shows and movies for yourself. Warner Brothers Studio offers backlot tours, bringing visitors along while shooting takes place.

In addition to catching current films and TV shows that are filming on the lot, you can also see sets and backlot scenes from some of the best-known movies and TV shows in history. You can step on the set of Casablanca and sit inside the famed coffee shop from Friends; you can even get in Batman’s Bat-pod and check out a Prop and Costume Museum. Every tour is different, and you never know who or what you’ll run into. 

Stough Canyon Nature Center

Here’s an outdoor destination that’s a bit more traditional for an RV vacation. Stough Canyon Nature Center is part outdoor landscape, part educational experience set in the Verdugo Mountains. You can explore all of the natural wildlife, flora, and fauna present in the Verdugo Mountains, or you can participate in heart-pumping hikes for all experience levels, including fitness trails, hikes for seniors, and even guided hikes for “little explorers” of any age. 

At Stough Canyon Nature Center, you can also explore a wealth of educational experiences that take place in the center’s buildings. There are educational and interpretive displays, an outdoor amphitheater where shows take place, and a wealth of activities held daily, weekly, and monthly. You can join nature hikes, participate in astronomy classes, and even join full moon events while you’re in town. 

Walt Disney Studios

Burbank is home to some of Hollywood’s biggest studios, but the city is perhaps best-known as the home of Walt Disney Studios. This storied studio lot, which includes Disney’s animation department, the headquarters of the Walt Disney Company, and ABC’s studios, is one cool site to visit if you’re a fan of anything Disney. It’s where Walt Disney himself created the studio’s classic animated films, and you can see everything from a museum to the cafeteria where Walt’s favorite foods are still served.

Not just anyone can walk onto the Walt Disney Studios lot and take a tour (it is a working studio, after all), but there are ways to get beyond the gates. You can take a tour with Adventures by Disney, or if you’re a member of the official Disney D23 fan club, you can sign up for an exclusive tour. While on the lot, you’ll get to see the equipment used to create legendary films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Dumbo, check out the animation building, and even see the onsite movie theater that’s used for screenings.

Wildwood Canyon Park

Burbank may not seem like a city where stunning beach vistas are prevalent, but this city will surprise you with the views it has to offer. And if you want to enjoy some of the best scenery in all of Southern California, you’ll want to head to Wildwood Canyon Park. Nestled at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains, it’s an actual canyon that’s covered overhead with oak trees — and if you follow the hiking trails throughout this park, you’ll be able to see as far as downtown Los Angeles on a sunny, clear day.

But there’s a lot more than just scenic vistas at Wildwood Canyon Park. It’s also a fantastic spot for outdoor fun, as the park is filled with activities like horseback riding, hiking and biking trails, and even wildlife so you can enjoy some birdwatching or animal spotting. The steep mountain trails run an average of 5 miles long each, giving you plenty of opportunities to take a brief hike or bridge together different hikes and trails for longer treks.

Starlight Bowl

You’ve likely heard of the famous Hollywood Bowl — but did you know that Burbank has its own version? It’s called the Starlight Bowl, and it’s even easier to get to than the Hollywood Bowl. In fact, the Starlight Bowl has plenty of advantages, including awe-inspiring views of Burbank and the rest of Los Angeles, sprawling seating, and well-known acts like Berlin, Ozomatli, and Eddie Money, all of whom have performed there in the past.

Catch an event at the Starlight Bowl, and you’ll love the experience. From the views to the affordable ticket prices, you can catch concerts, fireworks shows, and even enjoy a picnic on the grounds for less than $20. It’s a great nighttime activity no matter where you’re camping within Burbank.

Chandler Bikeway

If you’d like to explore Burbank thoroughly, there’s no better way to do so than via the Chandler Bikeway. You don’t even need a bike to use this cool passageway through the city and its surrounding landscapes — as an old railroad track that was converted to a bike path, it’s open for biking, running, jogging, walking, or even skateboarding. You can leave your RV at the campground and hit the trail to see extensive landscaping, vibrant public art, and all of metropolitan Burbank.

Along the Chandler Bikeway, you’ll be able to explore two miles of scenic views. There are separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, and you’ll find connections to other trails, paths, and bikeways as you travel, like the Los Angeles River Trail. You might even run into a local event, like the Sidewalk Astronomers, who come to the trail once a month for awesome astronomy lessons.

Events and Entertainment in Burbank

Downtown Burbank Car Classic

If you’re even slightly interested in classic cars, you aren’t going to want to miss the Downtown Burbank Car Classic. This awesome car show brings hundreds of unique vehicles into the city for just one day, showcasing everything from celebrity cars to hundreds of custom classic vehicles and so much more. Whether you’re looking for fun, food, or entertainment, this annual event offers it all.

At the Downtown Burbank Car Classic, you can check out live music, visit local vendor’s booths, and even win prizes. You can get up close to restored sports cars and bikes, exotics and cruisers, and some of the rarest Ferraris, Porsche, and Cadillacs ever made. One of the most exciting elements of this classic car celebration is the entertainment industry’s footprint — cars that have a history of celebrity ownership or that have appeared in classic films and TV shows are always present. 

Old Tyme Country Faire

Burbank’s Old Tyme Country Faire is nothing like your basic county fair — it’s an annual festival that’s hosted by a local school and parish, and it’ll introduce visitors to a wealth of Burbank’s best entertainment, food, and vendors. Held over three days each June, you’ll want to make sure you’re in town to indulge in all of the fun this single festival provides.

At the Old Tyme Country Faire, there’s plenty of entertainment for the whole family, including food vendors, raffles, classic fair games, rides, crafts, and life shows. Local Burbank restaurants sell their food, giving you a chance to try a whole lot of great options in one sitting. And kids and adults alike will love catching classic rides on the Ferris wheel, carousel, super slide, and other fair staples. 

Taste of Downtown Burbank

To get a sample of all of the awesome restaurants present in Burbank, you’ll want to attend the annual Taste of Downtown Burbank event that takes place each October. This annual nonprofit event benefits the Burbank community and funds scholarships and financial aid for local students. For out-of-town visitors, it’s a fantastic opportunity to indulge in delicious food, explore downtown Burbank, and get an excellent meal that you don’t have to cook at your RV campsite.

During Taste of Downtown Burbank, more than 40 different local restaurants come to serve up dishes of their most popular foods. There’s also a beer and wine garden and live music thanks to performances on the event’s main stage — in years past, acts like blues legend Barbara Morrison and hipsters Phat Cat Swinger have played — and four blocks closed off to wander and explore.

Winter Wine Walk

If you’re an adult who loves to indulge in some good wine, you’ll want to make sure you’re in town when Burbank’s Winter Wine Walk is taking place. Considered “the wine tasting social event of the season,” this beloved December event happens right before the holidays and is paired with the city’s holiday street fair. Some in Burbank even call the Winter Wine Walk “the most magical day in Burbank.”

Each year, this wine-filled walk showcases the world-class wineries and beer breweries local to Burbank and the surrounding region. Tasting stations are located in some of the city’s most popular downtown businesses along San Fernando Boulevard, and vendors and live entertainment also participate to make it a full-on party. Guests get a single tasting cup and a map of participating sites so they can try as much or as little as they’d like.

FAQs

Q: What are RV rentals?

RV rentals give absolutely anyone the opportunity to explore a new city from a comfortable and convenient motorhome. You don’t have to purchase an RV — instead, you can “borrow” one for an affordable per-night fee. And you can visit different campsites, drive around a city or region, and explore all kinds of sights and events. When you’re ready to head home, you simply return your RV without worrying about maintenance, upkeep, or any of the other challenges of RV ownership. RV rentals are available in just about every region, including right in Burbank, California.

Q: How much are RV rentals?

The cost you’ll pay to rent an RV depends on a few different factors, like the specific RV you choose, the time of year you’re traveling, and where you’re renting. However, you can expect to pay between $75 and $125 per night for small campers and between $150 and $250 per night for full-size motorhomes or larger RVs. Keep in mind that RV rental companies can offer lower prices or discounts if you rent for longer periods of time, like a week or more.

Q: Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Burbank?

Most RV rental companies require you to be at least 25 years old if you’re the primary renter. Some companies may be willing to rent to drivers as young as 21 years old, but they’ll often charge additional insurance fees or a higher per-night cost if you’re on the younger side. 

Q: Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

You definitely need to make sure you’re carrying the right insurance when you rent an RV. Typically, your basic auto insurance policy won’t cover you when you’re behind the wheel of an RV — so you may need to purchase insurance from your RV rental company when you arrive in Burbank. It’s always available for a small fee, and it’ll cover you just for the short-term.

Q: Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

It’s very common for RV rental companies to ask you to refuel your RV and bring it back with a full tank. However, this policy does vary from company to company, so make sure to check your rental agreement. Some RV rental agencies may only ask that you return your RV with the same amount of fuel it had when you picked it up; others may fill up the tank for you, for a fee. This can give you more flexibility and more options when you’re wrapping up your motorhome vacation.

Q: Are RVs pet friendly in Burbank?

You’ll want to check with the RV rental company you choose before you pack your pet’s belongings for your next camping trip. Some RV companies and RVs are perfectly pet-friendly, but others aren’t. You may also find that some RV rentals require a pet deposit or a higher per-night cost if you’re bringing your furry friends along. While there are plenty of pet-friendly places to explore throughout Burbank, rental companies often have varying policies.