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A stay at an RV park will usually cost around $25–80 (USD) per night.
The cost of campgrounds has risen in recent years due to the popularity of RV vacations in the USA.
The majority of campervan rental suppliers in the US do not offer unlimited miles as a standard rental inclusion.
In most cases, miles (kilometres) are capped at a daily rate, and additional fees will be incurred if you exceed the limit. Additional miles can usually also be prepurchased in packages ranging from 100 miles up to unlimited. However, any remaining miles will not be refunded when the vehicle is returned.
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As in the rest of America, free camping is only allowed in designated areas, which can include national parks, state parks, truck stops or rest stops as well as certain parking lots with permission from the store manager.
California is home to numerous RV parks and campgrounds, ranging from $35–60 (USD) per night. These are suitable for all vehicle types, from travel trailers to larger recreational vehicles.
All drivers must have a current and full driver’s licence to hire a vehicle. Foreign licences are generally acceptable if they are in English or accompanied by an accredited English translation. Otherwise, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.
In addition to your driver’s licence, you will often be required to show your passport at the time of pickup.
Some companies, e.g. Road Bear, Best Time and Britz, require an IDP regardless of the language of your licence.
Generally, no. Most campervan rental suppliers restrict travel into Mexico for campervans rented in the US. El Monte is the only exception; however, additional insurance is required.
Yes, many suppliers have depots in multiple locations throughout California and the US, making one-way rentals a great way to see more during your road trip.
San Francisco is a great starting location for those wanting to explore Northern California, with many attractions in the surrounding areas, including the famous Yosemite National Park.
For those heading through Southern California, Los Angeles is a good starting point. From there, you can head down the west coast to San Diego and throughout the surrounding area.
Note: policies vary from supplier to supplier. Always check the T&Cs for your rental.
Britz is one of the larger campervan brands, with multiple depots in different countries and a wide selection of vehicles. Britz maintains a fleet of newer vehicles, with campervans generally being less than 3 years old. Britz is part of the THL group, which also includes Maui, Mighty Campers and other international motorhome hire brands.
El Monte is part of the THL family of brands, which also includes Road Bear in the US. El Monte has over 50 years of experience in the RV hire industry and is available in multiple locations around America. El Monte has a variety of RVs available and also offers one-way rentals between its locations. El Monte also allows its vehicles to travel into Mexico under certain conditions.
Escape is a New Zealand–founded campervan rental supplier with locations throughout the US. The company specializes in campervans rather than RVs in an effort to offer a cheaper alternative. Escape has vehicles to suit groups of 3 to 5.
A popular campervan rental company operating in New Zealand, Australia and USA, Jucy offers smaller campervans (2-berth and 4-berth) and will rent to drivers over 18. While not extremely cheap, Jucy still offers reasonably attractive prices for the budget traveller.
Mighty is another campervan hire brand that is part of the THL motorhome rental group (Britz, Maui and other international brands). Mighty Rentals has vehicles for groups from 2 to 6. Mighty's camper fleet is made up of ex Britz and Maui vehicles that are considered too old to fit the main brands. It offers quality older vehicles at a cheaper price.
Road Bear is part of the THL family of brands, which also includes El Monte in the US. The company is a premium RV rental supplier with over 30 years in the motorhome hire industry. Road Bear only supplies newer vehicles, with its fleet consisting of motorhomes less than 1 year old.
A budget RV rental brand aimed at backpackers, Travellers Autobarn has campervans in multiple international locations. The company offers a wide variety of vehicles, from station wagons to 5-berth family models.
Completed in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is considered one of the most famous bridges in the world. The bridge connects San Francisco with Marin County. The bridge is 2.7 kilometres in length and has been declared one of the wonders of the modern world.
Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite National Park is 1,200 square miles of vast wilderness. The park is famous for its waterfalls but is also home to glaciers, ancient trees, valleys and much more. Within the park are also multiple campgrounds with sites available for recreational vehicles.
Napa County is located north of San Francisco and is home to the famous Napa Valley wine region. It boasts over 400 wineries and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Napa Valley is a great stop on your road trip through the Bay Area.
