All drivers must possess a drivers license valid for the entire rental period and a major credit card. Minimum driving age is 25. Only drivers verified via our online booking system and then listed on the rental agreement are allowed to drive. All drivers and their drivers’s licenses must be present at time of vehicle pick up.

Before you rent your camper van we ask for your payment information and your Driver’s License information via our online booking system. This is in order to verify that you meet eligibility and insurability requirements. In most cases, the driver eligibility check takes seconds, as long as we can verify all of your information and you have a clean driving record.

It’s an easy and secure process and your information is never shared with anyone. Upon passing background verification, your insurance will be activated and you will be covered from the moment you pick up the keys to the camper van.

If you’d like to add additional drivers please contact us before your rental starts.

Insurance provided by credit card companies is not valid as they do not cover vintage camper van rentals.

If you are involved in a collision call us as soon as you are safe so we can assist you. Locate the accident report form in your VW's glove box and collect the pertinent information. See that a police report is made if there is an injury or if damages are expected to exceed $1500.00.

Many of our campers (Bay Window and Vanagon) are best suited for casual driving journeys. Please tell us your itinerary, or furthest distance destination, so we can help you plan a successful adventure. It is our robust Eurovans, with their more powerful engines, (V6, and Air Conditioning) that are suitable for longer drives and more shall we say, “challenging” adventures? Please plan your trip accordingly:

Notes on mileage fees and limits on Bay Window vehicles: 50 miles are added for each rental day. Daily miles roll over if unused. Once these free miles are depleted, miles are charged at $1.25/mile. Additional miles are packaged in 100 mile increments for $75. (75¢/mile). These miles packages must be prepaid and are non-refundable. There is a 200 mile/day driving distance limit on this vehicle.

Notes on mileage fees and limits on Vanagon vehicles: 75 miles are added for each rental day. Daily miles roll over if unused. Once these free miles are depleted, miles are charged at 59¢/mile. Additional miles are packaged in 100 mile increments for $39. (39¢/mile). These miles packages must be prepaid and are non-refundable. There is a 250 mile/day driving distance limit on this vehicle.

Notes on mileage fees and limits on Eurovan vehicles: 100 miles are added for each rental day. Daily miles roll over if unused. Once these free miles are depleted, miles are charged at 59¢/mile. Additional miles are packaged in 100 mile increments for $39. (39¢/mile). These miles packages must be prepaid and are non-refundable. There is a 300 mile/day driving distance limit on this vehicle.

Death Valley: We may allow it if it is cool and you are driving a Eurovan or Vanagon, but you must get approval before hand.

Burning Man: Never

Mexico: Also never

Off Roading: Do not attempt to drive on unimproved roads (apart from licensed campgrounds) such as trails, tracks, sand, beaches, river or creek beds, and things like that, where you may become stuck or stranded. Should you do so and need extrication, all costs of that will be on you.

Beyond California State Lines: You must get prior approval if you wish to go beyond the border of the state of California.

The ‘GRAPEVINE’: The Interstate 5 Freeway which heads north out of Los is infamous for being very damaging to vehicles. Most GPS systems will try to route you thru there if traveling north to any place past Carmel, or conversely, traveling back to our HQ in Costa Mesa. BEWARE! Read the linked article to find out why we have this restriction… Hint: It’s for your safety!

“Wrath of the Grapevine
...brutal uphill climb can mean sudden death for cars and inconvenience for drivers.”

If a breakdown occurs due to, or while traveling into such restricted areas, the renter's trip will end without reimbursement for any rental days lost and the renter will be responsible for towing, repair of damages incurred, and in addition, their security deposit will be forfeited.

In summer months (typically April – September, but anytime it’s over 95 degrees out) we restrict travel to: All desert areas, in any state, including the Owens Valley and Las Vegas. (Eurovans may be OK, just ask…)

We prefer you have some familiarity of the VW Bus's unique driving characteristics. Remember, you will be driving a vehicle developed in the 1930's, and built with all the technical sophistication of the 1970's. Plus... no air conditioning, no driving upon unpaved surfaces, except at licensed public campgrounds, no automatic shift, no power anything!

Bearing this in mind, please do not exceed 65 mph (105 kph) in your VW. If it is very hot outside, (over 95f) or if you are climbing a long or steep grade, please reduce speed and select the proper gear. Keep the engine revving, as the engine fan is what cools the beast. These engines are not water cooled, so when the outside temperature heats up so do the pistons, and they've been known to melt rather quickly.

Be aware that cross winds effect the VW bus more than they do a conventional vehicle, so drive accordingly if it's windy.

Remember, due to the extreme cab-forward design of the bus, almost the entire vehicle is trailing along behind you. When making tight turns, pull out just a little further ahead than you might think so as to clear the back wheels (and bodywork) from other cars and curbs. Notice how a city bus seems to pull too far out in an intersection before turning the corner. It's like that.

Always purchase "PREMIUM" grade fuel (91 octane). Check engine oil level after every re-fueling. Topping off oil is provided. Should you need to purchase any fluids other than gasoline, provide us with a receipt and we will reimburse you.

Our vehicles are fully serviced and maintained by our in-house VW technicians, so problems are not common. However, they do sometimes occur and we want to be clear about our policies prior to booking.

Should you have a problem en-route, we are the first call you should make after making sure you are in a safe place. Hopefully the problem can be sorted and you will be on your way without too much inconvenience. There is an extensive network of VW mechanics throughout our region so we should be able to get you aid no matter how remote the location. Many times a simple fix is all that is required and you are back on your way.

We require every renter to carry a road side assistance package whether it be their own or the one offered through our booking system.

If you need to be towed to a VW mechanic we will cover any parts, or labor needed to get you back on the road. We will not cover any time lost, though we may refund a day's rental fee if the fix takes more than 12 hours.

If the problem is more serious, we have two choices:

1. We will get you to the nearest safe location where you can relax, and if another of our vehicles is available we will deliver the van and swap vehicles for you in the shortest possible time. The replacement vehicle may or may not be exactly the same as the one you started with. If you prefer to rent another vehicle locally, we will refund the balance of the rental period. We are not responsible for any accommodation expenses.

2. If you do not want to swap vehicles, a replacement is not available, or it would require an excessive amount of time, we will assist you in getting to where you may arrange alternate transport, and wish you a safe onward journey. We will either refund any monies we've collected for the outstanding rental period, or offer a credit for an equivalent rental period at a future date of your choosing.

We want our policy to be fair and we ask you to consider before you book that this is a possibility. But if it happens, kick back and chill out. We have every confidence we can sort things out.

If you have any difficulties report these immediately to Vintage Surfari Wagons INC. If you incur any minor repair bills we will give you a refund (up to $50). Just produce your receipt at the completion of your hire. Retrospective claims or any unauthorized claims above this limit cannot be recognized. If you have an accident (or breakdown) you are responsible for your accommodation expenses. Vintage Surfari Wagons INC liability extends to either replacing your vehicle with a similar one or refunding your rental fees for any of the days the total use of the vehicle is lost.

If you experience a breakdown due to lack of exercising ordinary care while in possession of the vehicle then your trip will end without reimbursement for rental days lost and the primary driver will be responsible for towing, repair of damages incurred, and in addition, their security deposit will be forfeited. (Ordinary care includes maintaining all fluid levels, i.e., fuel and oil; proper gear selection; not overheating the engine; not driving more than the recommended miles per day (depending on the VW rented); not coasting in neutral; and the like - PLEASE INQUIRE IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.)

A deposit of $250 U.S.D. is required to secure a booking. The balance of rental fees are due upon pick-up of the vehicle. A $1000 USD security deposit is required on a major credit card.

Security deposits are held subject to the terms and conditions of the Rental Agreement. For example, when you return the vehicle your deposit is returned in full if: The vehicle is acceptably clean and there is no damage to the vehicle (including windscreen damage), or damage/loss to it's contents, or any third party property damage; there is no evidence of off-road use; there is no evidence of Travel or Road Restriction use violations; there is no evidence of an unauthorized pet; there is no other violation of any other restriction imposed on the hire, either expressed or implied.

Non-refundable administration fee: $50

30 days - 8 days prior to departure: $250

7 days prior to departure: $250 or 50% of rental fee (whichever is greater)

No show: 100% of deposit

More than 60 days from tour departure date: 50% of Deposit

Less than 60 days from tour departure date: 100% of Tour Cost

If we can fill your space cancelled prior to more than 30 days before the trip departure date a full refund will be given minus a $250 handling fee. Participants are strongly encouraged to obtain medical/trip insurance.

In the case of a natural disaster we will transfer your deposit or entire tour cost to a voucher for future travel. The voucher can be used for self drive or group tour bookings and is non-refundable.

If for any reason beyond our control the reserved vehicle cannot be supplied on pick-up, a substitute will be offered. Should a substitute not be available our liability is limited to a full refund of monies received by Vintage Surfari Wagons, INC. All rights are reserved to refuse any hire under any circumstance. No refunds are payable under the following circumstances: Vintage Surfari Wagons, INC accommodating you; specific buses not being available; where a client or passenger amends, cancels, or seeks to vary agreement after departure.

Rentals are the number of 24 hour periods, or portions thereof that you have the van. Late returns will be charged $50.00 past the first hour, after which a full day will be charged after 2 hours past the 'zero' hour of your rental. If you pick up your Vintage Surfari Wagon at noon on the first day of your rental, then it is due back by noon on the last day of your rental.

Pets are welcome with prior approval. A $100 per pet fee is required. We ask that pets are under 45 lbs (maximum 2). Evidence of a pet within the vehicle without prior approval will forfeit your damage deposit.

Our vans are smoke-free zones. Please smoke outside the vehicle only. Evidence of smoking within the vehicle will forfeit your damage deposit.

Always re-fill with "PREMIUM" grade (91 octane) fuel. Drop-off refueling will be charged against your security deposit at a rate of $10/gallon. Propane is provided with your hire. If you must re-fill the propane tank, we will reimburse you if you present us with a receipt.

We reserve the right to charge the renter for any speeding or parking fines, traffic infringements, road toll fines or unpaid camping fees/fines. An additional administration fee of up to $75 per fine will apply to cover the costs of processing.

Windscreen damage is the responsibility of the renter / driver. Make sure to note prior damage. Damage to tires and the cost of puncture repairs is the responsibility of the renter.

We like to provide our clients with a clean and tidy vacation ride. We like to have it come back to us in a similar condition. If we determine that there is an excessive amount of clean-up required to ready your rented vehicle for the next guest, we will make a deduction from your security deposit commensurate with the labor and materials needed to do that.

For journeys starting or ending in San Francisco add the additional fees:

• for rentals 14 days or longer $550

• for rentals 7 - 13 days $750

• for rentals 1 - 6 days $950

If you’d like to start or end your journey in another city let us know.