RV Rental Thousand Oaks, CA

Thousand Oaks, California RV Rentals

Thousand Oaks, California isn’t a city that garners much attention, but this quiet suburb makes for the perfect place to take an RV vacation. Located just over 39 miles outside of Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks is nestled between some of California’s best natural destinations, including a wealth of iconic outdoor spots. 

RV rentals in Thousand Oaks, California put you within reach of natural wonders and exciting adventures in Los Angeles as well as Simi Valley — and with your RV rental, you can travel even further.

Within the city limits of Thousand Oaks and the surrounding area, you’ll find everything from stretches of incredibly scenic coastline that touch the Pacific Ocean to eye-catching celebrity homes lining the shores in Malibu to parks and recreation areas that introduce you to California’s other types of landscape. 

Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, a scenic place to relax and recharge, or exciting activities, you can easily explore the entire area from behind the wheel of an RV.

Popular RV Destinations in Thousand Oaks

Wildwood Regional Park

At first glance, Wildwood Regional Park looks like nothing more than a basic park in the suburbs — but this is no simple park. It spans over 1,765 acres and includes 1,400 acres dedicated to open, natural space alone. Under the care of the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, this park offers nearly 30 miles of hiking trails, spectacular natural landmarks, and even campsites right on its grounds.

At Wildwood Regional Park, you can actually park your RV at a campsite and stay for a few days. There’s a wealth to explore whether you choose to hike, ride a bike, or even ride on horseback throughout the park’s impressive natural scenery. You can check out some of the most famous sights in Thousand Oaks, like the 40-foot waterfall Paradise Falls, the Arroyo Conejo Creek, and an indian cave either independently or as part of the ranger-led programs offered year-round. 

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

One reason there’s so much natural wonder to behold in the city of Thousand Oaks is its proximity to the Santa Monica Mountains. And one of the best ways to get up close to some of the best experiences and outdoor sights is to visit the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. You can experience truly wild natural spaces and even climb mountains at this destination, and you can see firsthand what over 500 miles of trails have to offer for hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. 

Within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, there’s a ton to explore. You can see wildlife up close, experiencing bobcats, quail, coyotes, and mountain lions in their habitats. You can follow some of the trails deep into the wilderness, getting far from civilization, or you can take a trail to the beach and relax under the sun along California’s famous shoreline.

Lang Ranch

The far-reaching trails of Lang Ranch open up to some seriously incredible panoramic views, and in this single destination you can see all the way from the Conejo Valley — where Thousand Oaks is located — to Simi Hills. Set in the northeast corner of the city, Lang Ranch stretches 1,025 acres and connects with an additional 8,000 acres of land that’s part of the Santa Monica Mountains. There are more than 10 miles of trails to travel over whether you enjoy hiking, biking, or runnings.

And when it comes to vistas and views, you simply can’t beat what you’ll see at Lang Ranch. From spectacular sights along Simi Valley via the Long Canyon Trail to city-wide landscapes on the Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Trail, you’ll take in all kinds of different views of Southern California. It’s a cool way to get both your lay of the land and see some of the city’s less suburban areas.

Los Robles Trail System

When you’re ready to get active, there are plenty of parks, trails, and places to do so within Thousand Oaks. But one of the best places to visit is the Los Robles Trail System. The trail system is a ridgeline trail that wanders over a total of 2,000 acres, connecting with local feeder trails and traveling through natural areas that include Los Padres, Los Vientos, and Conejo Ridge — all sights to behold that you can only find in this one city. There’s a ton to explore via hiking, biking, or even horseback.

And the Los Robles Trail System will lead you to some of the most impressive views you can find in this area of Southern California. The trails range from easy to difficult, flat to sloped, and you can find spectacular views no matter which ones you choose to travel. For example, the Los Robles trail that leads you to Angel Vista Peak offers wide-ranging views of the Conejo Valley; the Los Robles Trail West climbs what locals call “Space Mountain” to look over Thousand Oaks itself. 

Westlake Lake

Thousand Oaks is just a few miles from Westlake Village, a charming city just outside of Los Angeles. And within Westlake Village, you’ll want to make sure to drive your RV to Westlake Lake. That’s right — there’s actually a lake in the city, and it covers 125 acres with eight miles of shoreline. 

Westlake Lake is a manmade lake, but don’t let that dissuade you; it’s a beautiful centerpiece of the city, and it even features an island filled with expensive homes within its borders. You can run, ride bikes, or walk around its shores and the surrounding streets, and there are a number of lakefront restaurants to enjoy. It’s serene and relaxing, and it’s even open for fishing (but you’ll have to be a resident or get a guest permit from a local resident to fish yourself).

The Gardens of the World

If you love taking in local plants and gorgeous blooms, you’ll want to make sure to plan a visit to The Gardens of the World while you’re in Thousand Oaks. This impressive botanical garden covers 4.5 acres and is home to a number of special gardens that each celebrate different plants and garden designs. It’s even connected to California’s history, with one of the state’s missions trails traveling right through the botanical garden.

At The Gardens of the World, you’ll find a wealth of gardens to wander through. There’s a French-style garden with a large waterfall and replicas of Versaille originals; an English-style rose garden; a Japanese garden complete with a pagoda and a koi pond; and even an Italian-style garden featuring grapevines. A hiking trail links all of the gardens together so you can see them all with ease.

Events and Entertainment in Thousand Oaks

Thousand Oaks Chili Cook Off

The Thousand Oaks Chili Cook Off is part food festival, part classic car show, bringing together two totally different events and combining them into one fun-filled festival. In fact, the fun isn’t limited to stylish cars and tasty chili — this cook off also offers a craft brew festival that’s held simultaneously, providing something for absolutely everyone. Whether you’re into classic hot rods, love a good bowl of chili, or simply want to try local craft beer, it’s all packed into this single-day event.

During the Thousand Oaks Chili Cook Off, you can treat your taste buds to some of the best chili in the world; the cook off is sanctioned by the International Chili Society. You can sip on craft beer from Thousand Oaks breweries, tasting a wealth of different samples. And you can wander over to the best classic car show in Ventura County while you experience two stages of live music in the background, with local bands playing all day long.

Ventura County Fair

If you want to experience a true county fair in California, make sure you plan your RV vacation when the Ventura County Fair is held. Each August, this extensive county fair takes place at Seaside Park (or the Ventura County Fairgrounds) in Ventura, just a short drive away from the city of Thousand Oaks. There, you can see a traditional fair, complete with agricultural shows and exhibits, carnival rides, fair food, and even nightly concerts. 

A local tradition that dates back to 1874, the Ventura County Fair is a huge event. It welcomes more than 300,000 visitors every year, and it gives those who attend a chance to see everything from local farmers’ animals to live events. Each year, the concerts attract big national acts too — in the past, The Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, and Smokey Robinson all played the Ventura County Fair.

Thousand Oaks Independence Day Fireworks Show

Independence Day is a huge holiday no matter where you happen to be, but it’s an especially big event in the city of Thousand Oaks. No matter where you set up camp, you’ll want to make sure you visit Janss Marketplace on this holiday to see a seriously spectacular Fourth of July fireworks show. In fact, there are events throughout the city all day long, including a pancake breakfast, a home run derby, and family swim time at Conejo Community Park.

Thousand Oaks residents celebrate this holiday with all kinds of local fun, and it all culminates with a concert in the park that’s free for anyone. After the sun sets, a free fireworks spectacular lights up the sky. This event is so popular that you’ll want to make sure to grab a parking spot for your RV early on in the day.

Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival

Looking for a little local culture while you’re camping out in Thousand Oaks? If you’re in town during the summer, the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival is well worth stopping to see. Held on summer nights under the stars on the California Lutheran University Campus at Kingsmen Park, this festival brings some of William Shakespeare’s biggest works to life.

The Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival is a bit different from a professional festival, as it’s put on by students who are part of the Drama Department at California Lutheran University. For three weekends, the festival and its performers act out a single Shakesperan work like Macbeth or A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s a nice night out when the weather is warm if you want to catch a quality performance. 

FAQs

Q; What are RV rentals?

RV rentals give you the chance to temporarily own an RV and take it wherever you’d like. It’s similar to renting a car — for a per-night fee, you can pick out a camper that suits your needs. It’s the perfect way to explore a new area like Thousand Oaks without any longer-term commitment. At the end of your vacation, you can simply return the RV. You don’t have to worry about anything, as RV rental companies provide you with everything you need, except for the fuel you use.

Q: How much are RV rentals?

RV rentals typically cost between $75 and $125 per night for a small camper or van. Upgrading to a larger, full-size RV or motorhome will cost between $150 and $250 per night. However, these average costs can vary depending on a number of factors, like the time of year you’re booking, how long you’re keeping the RV, and even which company you’re renting from. You might even find that longer-term rentals, like a week or more, often come with a lower per-night cost. 

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

Most RV rental companies require you to be at least 25 years old in order to reserve and officially rent a motorhome. You may, however, be able to rent from some rental agencies if you’re at least 21 years old. Some companies are willing to rent to younger drivers, but they frequently require additional insurance or charge a higher per-night cost because of the younger age.

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

In order to drive your RV, you will need to make sure you have insurance coverage. Unfortunately, the average auto insurance likely won’t cover you — so you’ll probably need to purchase a short-term and separate policy from your RV rental company when you arrive in Thousand Oaks. Most rental companies offer insurance for a small fee, and that should cover you with just the right amount you need to get behind the wheel.

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

Most RV rental companies do require you to bring your RV back with a full tank of fuel. Your RV is usually topped off when you pick it up, meaning you’re ready to go without needing to fill up. However, this policy can differ from company to company. Some may only require you to fill up so there’s the same amount of gas in the tank when your rental leaves and returns. Others may offer to fill up your RV for you when it’s returned — but keep in mind this is usually the priciest option.

Q: Are RVs pet friendly in Thousand Oaks?

You can absolutely find pet-friendly RVs available for rent in Thousand Oaks. But be cautious; not every RV rental company allows pets to come along for the ride. You’ll want to search specifically for rental companies that are okay with pets; don’t forget to ask before booking, too. While some RV rentals welcome pets, others may charge an additional price per night or a pet deposit if you’re bringing your furry friends along for your travels.