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Dionys C.
United States · Aug 2025
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Campervan hire in California opens up one of the world's great road trips: Highway 1 perched above the Pacific, the giant sequoias, the granite cliffs of Yosemite, then the deserts of Joshua Tree and Death Valley. Our rental partners await you in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, from two-seater vans to family motorhomes sleeping seven.
The three cities are linked by the coast and one-way hire is possible: you can set off in the north and drop the vehicle off in the south, or loop around the parks from a single depot. All that remains is to choose your route, your season and the size of your vehicle, as California can be explored just as well in two weeks as in a month.
Our partners
Our 9 rental partners in California
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Avanti Campervans
Rental company category:Economy
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Britz
Rental company category:Standard
Public rating of the rental company:
3.1/5
(10 reviews)
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Cruise America
Rental company category:Standard
Public rating of the rental company:
4.0/5
(8,016 reviews)
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El Monte RV
Rental company category:Standard
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Escape Campervans
Rental company category:Low cost
Public rating of the rental company:
4.4/5
(94 reviews)
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Mighty
Rental company category:Low cost
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Road Bear RV
Rental company category:Premium
Public rating of the rental company:
4.5/5
(130 reviews)
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Star RV
Rental company category:Premium
Public rating of the rental company:
3.5/5
(227 reviews)
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Travellers Autobarn
Rental company category:Low cost
Public rating of the rental company:
4.0/5
(305 reviews)
California
Where to pick up your motorhome in California?
Choose your departure city: the map shows where rental companies hand over their vehicles.
Return to another city
Road trip ideas
The best itineraries in California
1 Highway 1, from San Francisco to Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Santa Cruz
- Monterey
- Carmel
- Big Sur
- San Simeon
- Santa Barbara
- Los Angeles
The most famous coastal road in the United States follows the Pacific from Monterey Bay to the beaches of Santa Barbara. Between Carmel and San Simeon, Big Sur strings together cliffs, bridges hanging over the void and wild coves: plan short stages, as the road is winding and one viewpoint follows another.
Landslides regularly close sections of the road through Big Sur: check road conditions before setting off. A van or small motorhome is much easier to park at the viewpoints.
- Distance
- about 750 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Van or small motorhome
2 Sequoia, Yosemite and Death Valley
- Los Angeles
- Sequoia
- Yosemite
- Tioga Pass
- Mono Lake
- Death Valley
- Las Vegas
The grand tour of the Sierra Nevada parks: the giant sequoias of Sequoia, Yosemite's glacial valley, Tioga Pass and Mono Lake, then the descent into Death Valley and its dunes. A journey of contrasts, from snow-capped peaks to the lowest land in North America.
Tioga Pass only opens in the warmer months, usually from late May or June to November depending on snowfall: outside this period, the route goes via the south. It ideally ends in Las Vegas or loops back to Los Angeles.
- Distance
- about 1,400 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Compact motorhome or van
3 The southern deserts, from Palm Springs to San Diego
- Los Angeles
- Palm Springs
- Joshua Tree
- Salton Sea
- Anza-Borrego
- Julian
- San Diego
Two hours from Los Angeles, Palm Springs is the gateway to the desert: the Joshua trees and jumbled boulders of Joshua Tree, then the canyons of Anza-Borrego and their spring wildflower blooms. The trip ends on the beaches of San Diego, another departure city for our rental companies.
These deserts are best visited from autumn to spring: in summer, the heat becomes gruelling for travellers and vehicles alike.
- Distance
- about 650 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhome
4 Vineyards, coast redwoods and Lake Tahoe
- San Francisco
- Napa
- Mendocino
- Redwood
- Lassen
- Lake Tahoe
- Sacramento
- San Francisco
North of San Francisco, California shows a different face: the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma, the wild Mendocino coast, the coast redwood forests of Redwood National Park, then Lassen volcano and the blue waters of Lake Tahoe. A cooler, quieter loop, ideal in summer when the south overheats.
- Distance
- about 1,600 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Van or compact motorhome
Weather and seasons
When to go in California?
Best time
Spring and autumn
April to June, September to October
highs 16 to 25 °C on the coast, 29 to 39 °C in the desert
The best seasons to combine coast, parks and deserts: the deserts remain bearable, Yosemite's waterfalls are at their peak in spring and autumn brings golden light with fewer crowds. On the coast, the June morning fog known as "June Gloom" often burns off in the afternoon.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 19 to 26 °C on the coast, over 40 °C in the desert
Peak season in the national parks: campgrounds fully booked months ahead and busy roads in Yosemite. The deserts become scorching, Death Valley above all, while the coast stays cool. It is the ideal season for the north, the Sierra and Lake Tahoe.
Winter
November to March
November to March
highs 14 to 21 °C on the coast, 19 to 24 °C in the desert
Winter is the season for the deserts, mild and bright, and for the southern coast, often sunny. In the Sierra Nevada, snow closes Tioga Pass and snow chains may be required on the way to Yosemite or Sequoia. Rain mainly affects the north and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Step by step
Renting in California, step by step
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1
Choose your departure city
San Francisco for Highway 1 and the north, Los Angeles for the parks and deserts, San Diego for the south. A one-way hire saves you retracing your steps.
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2
Compare offers
Look at the included mileage or mileage packages, the kitchen and bedding kits, insurance and the excess: these options matter as much as the daily rate.
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3
Book the key nights
First secure national park campgrounds and high-season stops, then fill in the gaps with RV parks, which are easier to find.
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4
Prepare for pick-up
Driving licence, credit card in the driver's name and US entry formalities: check the rental company's conditions and the pick-up time before your flight.
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Book park campgrounds early
In the most visited national parks, Yosemite above all, campgrounds are booked online months in advance and fill up within minutes for the summer. Outside the parks, private RV parks and state park campgrounds take over, with electric hook-ups and dump stations.
Vehicle length and mountain roads
Some roads and campgrounds restrict vehicle length, particularly in the parks and on the narrow roads of Big Sur or the Sierra. Before choosing a large motorhome, check the restrictions at the places you plan to visit: a compact model opens more doors.
Electronic tolls around the Bay
The Golden Gate Bridge and several San Francisco Bay bridges use electronic tolling with no booths, as do some Los Angeles express lanes. Ask your rental company how these tolls are charged to avoid processing fees.
Wildfires and restrictions
From summer to autumn, fire risk leads to campfire bans and sometimes road or park closures. Check local alerts before each stage and build some slack into your itinerary.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in California
Where can I hire a campervan in California?
Our rental partners have depots in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego: Cruise America, El Monte RV, Road Bear RV, Escape Campervans, Indie Campers, Mighty, Britz and Travellers Autobarn, among others. Depots are often on the outskirts: the address and pick-up time are in your confirmation.
Can I do a one-way trip between San Francisco and Los Angeles?
Yes, it is the most requested route in California, via Highway 1. One-way fees may apply depending on the rental company: they are included in the displayed price as soon as you enter a different drop-off city when searching. The reverse direction works just as well.
Van or motorhome: which should I choose?
A two-seater van, like the compact campers offered in San Francisco and Los Angeles, can go anywhere and is easy to park on the coast. For families, a Class C motorhome sleeping four to seven offers a shower, toilet and full kitchen, at the cost of a bulkier size in the parks.
Can I drive to Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon?
Las Vegas is only about 370 km from Los Angeles as the crow flies, and many travellers continue on to Nevada and Arizona. Rental companies generally allow it, but some prohibit Death Valley in midsummer: check the excluded areas in the offer's conditions.
How much time should I allow for California?
Two weeks lets you combine Highway 1 with one or two national parks. With three weeks, you can add the southern deserts or the north of the state, and a month gives you time to push on to Las Vegas and the Utah parks without a string of long driving days.
Verified customer reviews
They travelled in California with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Quick and friendly customer service.
D.
United States · May 2025
Trustpilot
I have been booking motorhome rentals with Cooldrive and Olivier Sellem since 2018 and I am always very happy with the quality of service and the vehicles.
S.
United States · Mar 2025
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan hire in California
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in California?
Rental motorhomes can generally be driven with an ordinary car licence. With a licence issued outside the United States, an International Driving Permit is recommended, and sometimes required by the rental company, in addition to your national licence. The minimum age and length of time holding a licence are set out in the conditions of each offer.
Where can I sleep in a motorhome in California?
National and state park campgrounds offer the most beautiful pitches, private RV parks the most comfort. In the deserts, some federal lands allow free camping, subject to local rules. In towns, overnight parking is often prohibited: find out before you stop.
What driving rules should I know?
Traffic drives on the right, distances and speeds are in miles, and turning right on a red light is often allowed after a full stop. At four-way stops, the first to arrive has priority. Never overtake a stopped school bus with its lights flashing.
Is mileage unlimited?
Not always: in the United States, many offers charge for the miles driven or offer mileage packages to add on. On a California road trip covering several thousand kilometres, this cost adds up: compare offers with included mileage and estimate your distance before booking.
Do I need a pass for the national parks?
National parks charge an entrance fee, per vehicle or with an annual pass valid nationwide, which pays off as soon as you visit several parks. Fees, which differ for non-resident visitors, change over time: check them on the official national parks website before you leave.
When should I book a campervan in California?
Several months ahead for July and August and for the spring holidays, at the same time as the park campgrounds. From November to March, outside the end-of-year holidays, there is still plenty of choice a few weeks before departure, especially for desert trips.
About us
Why explore California by campervan
Few regions pack so many landscapes into a single trip: the ocean and cliffs of Big Sur, the sequoia forests, the granite domes of Yosemite, the deserts of Joshua Tree and Death Valley. A campervan is the ideal way to link them: you sleep in the heart of the parks, set off at dawn for the viewpoints and stop wherever you like along the coast.
With three departure cities, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, and the option of one-way hire, every traveller can build their own itinerary: Highway 1 in two weeks, the great parks of the Sierra, the deserts in winter or the wilder north in summer. California also extends towards Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Utah for the greatest road trips of the American West.
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