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First rental of this type of vehicle in a professional context where the rental must take place from France to Canada. Many questions and Cooldrive (Marlène) has been a valuable support in guiding my choices. Efficiency and responsiveness beforehand, and on-site a vehicle and service that met our expectations. No complaints. Great!
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Discover Oakland, the ideal Californian city for your next campervan stay. Nestled between San Francisco Bay and the mountains, Oakland offers privileged access to lush nature and numerous attractions. Explore the historic Uptown district, admire the urban artworks in Chinatown, or be charmed by the friendly atmosphere of Jack London Square. Whether you are looking for breathtaking landscapes or an authentic urban experience, renting a campervan in Oakland will meet all your desires.
Itineraries and road trips in California from Oakland
Discover Oakland as the ideal base for a campervan road trip in the San Francisco Bay area. This dynamic city, with its artistic lofts, estuary, and proximity to natural parks, offers perfect departures to explore coasts, vineyards, and forests by van. These three iconic itineraries, ranging from 7 to 21 days, highlight loops accessible from Oakland, suitable for campervans with state park campgrounds and winding roads.
7-10 day itinerary: The Bay and its coastal treasures
Start from Oakland for a 7 to 10-day loop focused on the Bay area, ideal for campervans for its scenic roads and campgrounds like Brannan Island or Bodega Dunes. Day 1-2: Explore Oakland with kayaking on the estuary and downtown galleries, park at Cottonwood Campground. Day 3: Cross to San Francisco via the Bay Bridge, cross the Golden Gate, camp near the Presidio. Day 4-5: Head to Bodega Bay for beaches and cliffs, overnight at Bodega Dunes Campground. Day 6: Napa Valley for wine tastings, then Sonoma for its rolling counties, with camping in nature. Day 7-8: Return via Berkeley and its markets, or Six Flags for adrenaline. Day 9-10: Reclaim Oakland, visit Jack London Square. This circuit of about 400 km favors straight roads suitable for campervans, with stops for easy hikes and ocean views, perfect for a first Californian immersion without long distances.
14-day itinerary: Pacific coasts and giant parks
From Oakland, this 14-day route includes the legendary Highway 1 and Yosemite, must-sees for their raw beauty justifying short outings. Day 1-3: Vibrant neighborhoods of Oakland, camping at Castle Rock State Park, then San Francisco for Fisherman’s Wharf and trams. Day 4-6: Monterey and Carmel via Highway 1, whale watching, camp at Seacliff State Beach. Day 7-8: Big Sur with McWay Falls and hikes, overnight with ocean views. Day 9-10: Return north via Santa Cruz, then Yosemite for Mirror Lake Trail and falls, via park shuttles. Day 11-12: Sequoias at Big Basin Redwoods, Giant Forest, and General Sherman Tree. Day 13-14: Loop back to Oakland via Sonoma Coast. About 800 km in a campervan, with permits for winding roads like Zion-style but in California, and family-friendly campgrounds like Hi5 Camper. This pace allows extended van stops for hoodoos and breathtaking sunsets.
21-day itinerary: Complete California West
Pack your campervan at Oakland for 21 days covering the West, including the Grand Canyon as the must-see highlight of any Californian road trip. Day 1-4: Oakland and Bay, estuary kayaking, San Francisco Golden Gate, camping at New Brighton. Day 5-8: Highway 1 to Big Sur, elephant seals at San Simeon, Hearst Castle, Morro Bay beaches. Day 9-12: Los Angeles via Santa Barbara East Beach, then Sequoia for Big Trees Trail and Giant Forest shuttles. Day 13-16: Yosemite with Yosemite Falls and Rim Trail, camping at Lodgepole. Day 17-19: Route to the Grand Canyon for Mather Point and Desert View, hiking the South Rim in a campervan with special permits. Day 20-21: Return via Kingman and Monterey to Oakland. Over 2000 km, but spread out for van comfort, with campgrounds like Sequoia Group and stops at Nepenthe Café. This comprehensive itinerary captures the essence of the American West from Oakland, blending urbanity, coasts, and grand canyons.
All the towns where you can rent a motorhome in the United States
Discover on this map all the cities in the United States where you can rent your motorhome or campervan.
Use the search engine to find out exactly which departure and return towns you can use to organise your road trip.
To do this, enter the first letters of the country in the corresponding field and discover all the cities in the United States or elsewhere.
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Traveling in a campervan from Oakland: Guide to the best times
California offers exceptional conditions for exploring coastal and mountainous regions in a campervan, with well-defined seasons that influence both travel comfort and accommodation rates. From Oakland, you benefit from an ideal position to access a variety of landscapes throughout the year.
The best times to travel
The months of April, May, September, and October are the optimal period for traveling in a campervan from Oakland. During these transitional months, temperatures remain pleasant and moderate, ranging from mild to warm, while precipitation decreases significantly. These shoulder seasons offer a perfect balance: you avoid the intense heat of summer while enjoying sunny days ideal for exploring the coastal regions near Oakland and the inland areas of Northern California.
Weather and seasonal conditions
In Oakland and its surroundings, winters are short, cold, and wet, with nighttime temperatures dropping to around 4 to 10°C, while daytime temperatures remain moderate around 15 to 20°C. Summer, which extends from June to October, offers dry and sunny conditions with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 21°C, creating ideal conditions for campervanning. Spring and autumn benefit from particularly favorable weather, with longer days and constantly changing landscapes.
Seasonality of rates and crowds
Camping rates near Oakland and in California state parks vary significantly by season. The months of June, July, and August experience peak crowds with higher prices and reduced availability, particularly in popular coastal areas. By choosing shoulder periods (April, May, September, October), you benefit from better rates and improved availability of sites while enjoying a less crowded experience in California state parks accessible from Oakland.
Types of vehicles to rent in the United States
This list gives you a good overview of the offer of motorhomes, campervans, and other vehicles in the United States. Please note that not all of these vehicles are necessarily available at all rental agencies of our partners. To find out about the available vehicle options for your road trip, please use the search form at the top of this page. You can then filter the results by rental company, price, type of motorhomes, compare rental offers and their options, check availability, save your offers, and of course book online when your choice is made!
Practical guide for road trips from Oakland
Driving and regulations
In Oakland, campervans over 40 feet are limited to the national Interstate highway system and state-designated routes under California Vehicle Code §35400, with authorized access within a mile radius for fuel or rest around areas like the Port of Oakland. Trailers must adhere to a maximum length of 65 feet on roads, but Alameda County may prohibit combinations exceeding 60 feet, and it is essential to use carpool lanes on I-880 with at least two occupants to avoid hefty fines monitored by the Highway Patrol.
Respect local restrictions by avoiding double parking or parking near fire hydrants along residential streets in Oakland, such as those in the Temescal neighborhood, where red curbs signal absolute prohibition.
Sleeping and hooking up
In Oakland, overnight parking in a campervan is prohibited on residential streets, roads, alleys, parks, or beaches between midnight and 5 AM according to California laws, but a municipal ordinance adopted by the Oakland City Council in 2021 allows the occupation of Recreational Vehicles (RVF) on private residential property with the owner's permission, provided they are at least 6 feet away from structures and equipped with water, heating, and wastewater management near areas like the residential neighborhoods of Fruitvale.
For more than 72 hours on private property in Oakland, RVFs must comply with the habitability standards of California Civil Code Section 1941.1 and the Oakland Building Maintenance Code; otherwise, opt for public rest areas limited to 8 hours or authorized RV parks around Lake Merritt.
Local tips and safety
In Oakland, avoid prolonged street parking that attracts fines and towing enforced by the police through vehicle camping ordinances, particularly in areas like West Oakland where anti-RV policies are tightening; prefer compliant private properties under the Construction Innovation And Expanded Housing Options ordinance for increased safety against theft or nuisances.
For safety, park in view of main thoroughfares like Highway 580 near downtown Oakland, check green signs for limited parking, and avoid isolated port areas due to increased patrols against vehicle homelessness.
