What's so intriguing about a VW camper bus?

The Volkswagen (VW) camper bus, also known as the Volkswagen Type 2 or simply the "bus", has become an iconic vehicle that is beloved by many. Here are some reasons why the VW camper bus is so intriguing:

Nostalgia: The VW camper bus has been around since the 1950s and has become a symbol of a bygone era. For many people, the bus evokes feelings of nostalgia for a simpler time when life was less complicated.

Unique design: The VW camper bus has a unique and distinctive design that sets it apart from other vehicles on the road. Its round shape, large windows, and colorful paint jobs make it instantly recognizable.

Versatility: The VW camper bus is a versatile vehicle that can be used for a variety of purposes, from camping to road tripping to daily commuting. Its spacious interior and fold-down bed make it ideal for overnight trips, while its compact size makes it easy to maneuver in city traffic.

Sense of community: The VW camper bus has a strong following among enthusiasts who share a passion for the vehicle. There are many online communities and social groups dedicated to the VW camper bus, where owners can connect, share stories, and swap tips and advice.

Adventure: The VW camper bus represents a sense of adventure and freedom that is appealing to many people. Its ability to take you off the beaten path and into the great outdoors is one of its most appealing features, and makes it a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.

Seems it Never Rains in Southern California

What’s the real deal on California weather and reports of disasters playing out in the current media?

Currently California is in a weather pattern that comes along every so often, one that causes a lot of temporary problems, no doubt. But it also solves a whole bunch of other problems that pretty regularly also plague our great state. We are getting a lot of rain and snow that in turn replenishes our reservoirs and ground water basins with the run off, as well as with snow pack that melts off throughout the subsequent summer months. We desperately need this after close to a 8-9 year drought. Conversely, we’ll see weather related road closures, some mudslides and avalanche damaged roads in a lot of central and northern areas of our state. But most of that is going to occur far from where Vintage Surfari Wagons sends you out on the road.

What you’re probably not seeing reported is that about 99% of these somewhat extreme weather incidents are happening primarily in the 2/3rds of California north of Los Angeles. In fact the counties of Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, and San Diego have been largely spared the deluges and floods that those other parts of the state are experiencing. This leaves a whole lot of California ripe for exploration in the midst of all the bad news.

The entire coastline of Orange County and south are open, and the beaches are beautifully un crowded. That's close to 100 miles of coastline to explore. And there are 6 wonderful California State Park system campgrounds along that coast as well as a dozen more regional and privately run campgrounds on down the coast. The areas east of those two counties (Riverside, Imperial, and San Bernardino) are largely situated in the dry deserts of the state and receive a small percentage of the precipitation that reaches the central and northern coast, so it’s almost always sunny and dry out that way. Top that fact with lots of spectacular and beautiful places out there to camp in solitude and watch the stars at night. It still gets some rain, but that only assures that the spring desert blooms will likely be abundant and incredibly colorful this year.

Bottom line? It’s not as disasterous as you may have heard, and there's still thousands of square miles of the Golden State to explore and enthrall you. Get in touch with us at VSW and we’ll be happy to suggest some routes we especially like that you might consider in, thru, and around these ‘roads less traveled’ topographies of Southern California.

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Campfires and Fire Season

Tips on how to have a safe campfire and not burn the whole place down!

Fire season in California runs from about June through September, but can start as early as April, and run through November in dry or drought years. It’s serious business here. Public campgrounds will likely conspicuously display what is considered the local level of fire danger, and institute rules and regulations based on the current level of danger. If you don’t see a sign, ask. Always follow the rules on this stuff.

PRIME RULE #1 TO FOLLOW: Wind is the cause of many a raging wildfire! If it is windy or becomes blustery after you have started enjoying your campfire, the safest and wisest thing is to carefully douse your fire to full extinguishment with water. Be careful to not cause embers or sparks to migrate past your protective fire ring.

It is always best, and just good camp etiquette, to use already existing pits or rings for your campfire. That way any root systems or other underground combustibles are not likely to be an issue. Secondly, you’re not going to be adding another layer of burnt charcoal to the dirt area of your camp, something that is not good to leave behind for future campers to deal with.

If having a campfire is crucial to your joy and happiness, and there are restrictions on fires where you are, you may want to invest in a small propane campfire set up. See this link.

In every case never leave any fire unattended, and make sure to fully douse your fire with water before retiring for the night or leaving the site.

Be Fire Safe and Fire Wise!

Long Live the Camper Van: Companies renting Vacation Mobiles

George, Alyce, Mae and Kim cruise the California Coast in a vintage VW camper van rental from Vintage Surfari Wagons.

If you live in Southern California and have an “Endless Summer” mentality, Vintage Surfari Wagons is probably the van rental company for you. Their fleet of vintage Volkswagen buses from the ‘80s through 2000s look straight from the set of a classic surfing movie, but with the addition of modern upgrades like much-needed air conditioning. Many models include pop-up roofs to create an even breezier open-air vibe, and if you want to go full RV, some have generators and water hook-ups. For those who’re looking for the glamping-est of camper experiences, they also offer tours led by experts.

Guest post by Dan Gentile on Paktbags.com

Gift Ideas for the Wanderer

Vintage Surfari Wagons’ Big Sierra Skies Camp Tour

Ready to find a fun and thoughtful gift for your nature-loving friend that they will actually enjoy and use? The best gifts for avid adventurers are those that will fuel their passion for nature and give them a reason to get outdoors. With that in mind, here are some ideas to wrap up for the outdoorsy people on your shopping list.

Glamping Accessories

Worldation explains glamping is a trendy way to enjoy the great outdoors without being unplugged completely. If your giftee loves glamping, consider getting them a fun glamping accessory that will make their time in the outdoors a little more comfortable.

You can never go wrong with a big, fluffy blanket or a portable espresso maker. Portable chargers, gourmet s'mores kits, and light strings can also make for great glamping gifts. If your gift recipient likes to stay in wifi-enabled yurts or campers, you could even get them a versatile and powerful streaming device so they can get cozy in front of their favorite shows after a day of outdoor exploring.

Useful Outdoor Gear

Most hikers and campers are always thrilled to receive new gear they can use on the trail. For example, a good-quality daypack is one of the best things you can buy for an active adventurer. Other hiking essentials, like a hydration bladder, water filtration system, and trekking poles, can come in very handy on long day hikes and overnight trips in the wild.

Even if your giftee already has every piece of hiking gear imaginable, they can never have enough comfortable hiking socks—99 Boulders recommends merino wool for its temperature regulation and moisture-wicking properties.

Gift Cards and Passes for Fun Activities

Non-material gifts are another great option for the nature lover in your life. Consider giving the gift of a fun, memorable experience with a gift card or pass for an outdoor activity. For example, a gift card for Vintage Surfari Wagons is the perfect travel-inspiring gift for anyone with a case of wanderlust. The gift cards are available in $100 increments and can be used to rent a campervan or book a group expedition for an unforgettable road trip experience. Vintage Surfari Wagons

Some other great experiential gifts include a National Parks Pass or tickets for zip-lining, gondola rides, or an aerial adventure park. REI also recommends gifting an experience you can do together, like a kayak tour, snowshoe adventure, or camp cooking class. On top of the gift itself, your special someone will have fond memories to look back on.

Educational Books and Guides

Books can make some of the best gifts! They’re affordable, personal, easy to wrap, and perfect for those people on your list that say they don’t want any presents. From trail guides and survival handbooks to elegant coffee table books filled with stunning landscape scenes, there are endless books you could get for the outdoor enthusiast in your life. Wilderness tales and true adventure stories written are also great ideas.

If your gift recipient really likes to read, consider getting them an e-reader so they can take all their favorite books with them on hikes and camping trips without adding excess weight to their pack. Many e-readers even have backlit screens, which make them great for night-time reading after the sun goes down.

Buying a gift for the outdoorsy person on your list might be easier than you think. There are several great material and non-material options out there that are sure to inspire and excite glamping enthusiasts and ultralight hikers alike. In the end, your gift recipient will love any present that you’ve put this much thought and care into.

Written by: Ted Fernandez

Happy Trails Desert Campout

This past March we experienced the Super Bloom as we wandered through the Anza Borrego desert landscape on our group journey, of at times up to 12 VWs, 20 peeps and 3 pups! We hiked, swam and partook of handcrafted libations & camp vittles, and campfires every day of our adventure. In the end new friendships were forged and once in a lifetime memories were made that we'll carry with us on into the years ahead. Here's a peek...

Happy Trails Desert Campout

We're getting ready to roll out our May 23-27th camp tour and have a few spots left for either tag-alongs or Vintage Surfari Wagons' rentals. See our Campouts page here for more details, you won't want to miss the bloom in our California desert this season!

Lake Cahuilla, just one of the destinations on this expedition!

LushPalm documents their rad road trip!

Shout out today in the Die Welt

See full story here...