vw bus travel

The Ultimate Guide to Hire an RV Campervan in California

The call of the open road is strong, and what better way to answer than by jumping into a classic campervan and exploring the highways, byways, and hidden gems of sunny California? Here at Vintage Surfari Wagons, we are all about bringing that iconic California road-tripping experience to life with our fleet of meticulously maintained and lovingly refurbished Volkswagen campervans and modern equivalents.

This guide aims to provide all the information you need to hire an RV campervan for a memorable Californian adventure.

Understanding the Different Types of Campervans

Let’s begin with the basics.

At Vintage Surfari Wagons, we offer a range of campervans to cater to different preferences and needs. Our Bay Window campers are your classic hippie buses, ideal for those seeking to capture the spirit of the '60s and '70s. With a 200-mile daily mileage limit, these are perfect for leisurely drives along the coast or into the heart of the state.

When it comes to the Vanagon, a time-tested cross-country machine, the daily limit is 250 miles. These are great for those who want to explore the entirety of SoCal and perhaps venture further afield.

The Eurovan brings modern conveniences without sacrificing style. With a generous 300-mile daily limit, you're free to chart an ambitious journey around the Golden State.

Whereas our Mercedes Metris campers offer the comforts of a modern vehicle, perfect for long drives, as these vehicles are equipped with newer features (Air-conditioning, cruise control, and camping heater) and safety standards (airbags).  

Each vehicle has unique charms, so it's about finding the one that matches your vision of the ideal road trip.

Things to Consider Before Hiring an RV Campervan

Planning is an essential part of any road trip, and hiring an RV campervan is no different. Here are some factors to consider:

Your budget: This will determine the type of van you choose, as well as the length and scope of your trip. Take into account rental fees, extra mileage costs, fuel, campsite fees, food, pet fee, etc.

Your route and destinations: Are you heading for the beaches, the mountains, the cities, or a combination of all three? The type of terrain can influence your choice of vehicle.

The size of your travel group: Our campervans comfortably sleep and transport up to four people. Make sure you consider the size of your group when selecting a van.

Your comfort preferences: Each of our campervans comes with its own set of features. Decide what’s most important for your trip, whether it's a pop-up roof, built-in kitchenette, or modern conveniences like air conditioning.

Understanding rental policies: It's important to understand the terms and conditions of your rental. At Vintage Surfari Wagons, we require a minimum deposit of $250 to secure a booking and a security deposit of $1000 on a major credit card.

How to Book Your RV Campervan

Booking your Vintage Surfari Wagon is a breeze. You can browse our range of vehicles online, check their availability for your desired dates, and make a reservation directly on our website. A deposit of $250 is required to secure a booking.

It's also worth noting that each of our vans comes with a set mileage limit per rental day, beyond which mileage fees apply. These fees vary by vehicle type – for example, additional miles for the Bay Window are charged at $1.25/mile, while for the Eurovan, it’s 59 cents per mile.

You can prepay for additional mile packages at cost-effective rates if you plan to cover more ground. But don't worry; we understand that some days might be more travel-heavy than others, so unused daily miles roll over to the next day!

Picking Up Your RV Campervan

Once you've made your booking, picking up your campervan is a simple process. We're based in Southern California, and we'll have your chosen vehicle ready and waiting for you. Upon pick-up, our team will walk you through the camper’s features and ensure you're comfortable with its operation.

We're also happy to provide tips for your journey based on our extensive local knowledge. For those who want a one-way journey, we have provisions for rentals starting or ending in San Francisco.

Special Rates for Media Outlets

For those in media looking to capture the charm and essence of a classic road trip, our Vintage Surfari Wagons are available for media rates. With a time allotment of 8 hours for $750, we deliver the vehicle to your set and stay within eyeshot to provide technical and safety services. Extra charges apply for overtime and distances beyond our 100-mile delivery radius.

Its Time to Explore!

Exploring California in an RV campervan from Vintage Surfari Wagons offers an incomparable blend of freedom, nostalgia, and comfort. Whether you're heading for the beaches, the mountains, the cities, or all three (Be greedy; we don’t judge!), our machine will get you there in style and at your own pace.

With our range of campervans covered in this comprehensive guide, we hope to have made the process of you hiring a campervan a bit easier. Remember, road-tripping is about the journey as much as the destination, and we're here to ensure your journey is one for the books. Happy travels!

Long Live the Camper Van: Companies renting Vacation Mobiles

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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

Sweet Vacation Story

Christina Beam Photography

I’ve held back on posting about our epic California roadtrip for so long, which is sort of silly, because these are some of my favorite images I’ve taken in my life.

But here’s the truth: These photos are really intimate.

Not in a way, as my 8-year-old would say, that’s “irreproriate.”

But in a way that shows my little family at what I think is our very best: Loving on each other. Drifting apart for little individual moments and mini adventures, then drawing back together by the common pull that makes us The Beams.

Building this family with my husband Erik is far and away my greatest accomplishment in life, and the truth in these images feels a little scary to share.

It’s not all pretty smiles and perfect poses. We’re unshaven, we’re scratched and dirty, we’re in unwashed clothes, but my God, are we happy.

When we told friends and family about our plans — fly to California, rent an ‘85 Volkswagen camper van in Orange County, and drive it up to Northern California and back along the Pacific Coast Highway — they always said, “Wow.”

“Wow,” as in, “That sounds amazing… I would love to do that with my family.”

And also, “Wow,” as in, “All five of you are going to be camping in that van for two weeks? You’re not staying in any hotels? And you have no reservations anywhere, you don’t know where you’re going or what you’re going to do?”

Yes. Wow.

It was important to Erik that if we did this that it be a true adventure. That we relent to the unknown. That we not only trust that we will be okay, but that if we leave room for the unexpected, we will be rewarded with beautiful, heart- and life-changing things.

And as always, Erik was right.