California Road trip! – Best routes, Must-see Destinations and Budget Advice

California Dreamin’?

Organizing a California road trip involves serious planning and budgeting. That’s because Cali brings something to the table for any kind of traveller. Especially for camping enthusiasts (Yaaay!). Whether you visit the Coastline, the Sierra Nevada, or the stunning Death Valley, you’ll always find something new and exciting to do.

You can visit any of the 120 national parks (yes, you heard that right, 120!), enjoy rafting on the rivers, check out the coastal Redwoods, and indulge in worldwide-renowned cities. Need more? You can also hike mountain peaks or just relax outside your motorhome taking in the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

With so many options and exciting places to visit, how do you decide on the best campervan route for your road trip? Also, how long should you stay in each place and how much is it going to cost you? Well, that’s where this ultimate guide comes in! We present you a brief summary on the costs of a camping road trip in California, its hidden beauties, and some epic itinerary ideas to help you plan your route through the west coast.

Costs:

A California road trip won’t be cheap at all. But that shouldn’t discourage you! Although you can’t travel with a very low budget, I’m sure you can find many ways to save money for your camping road trip because, believe me, it’ll be worth it.

The average daily cost you should consider is from 120 to 250 euros, including a rental motorhome, gas, lodging, food, and drinks. Also, include entry fees for various attractions (And some others are free, so don’t worry). The highest expense will be the campervan. But take into account that this will save you the cost for hotels or hostals all along, so it compensates somehow. On the other hand, if you have a motorhome of your own you can simply exclude the rental cost from the total daily budget.

Gas expenses are inevitable on a road trip. And to add up to our bad luck, gas prices in California are among the highest in the US. However, when it comes to lodging, drinks, and food, you can bring the costs way down. This is because you can always cook on board and some campgrounds offer free access, while others vary in cost, but they round  an average of 35 Euros.

A Camping Road trip in Southern California

Southern California is the first thing that comes to mind whenever you think about this state. Picture this: palm trees, amazing beaches, urban life, and parties. It’s the quintessential Californian lifestyle. In SoCal, which is the area between San Diego and Los Angeles, you can experience anything from surfing to skating. You can chill at Venice Beach or enjoy a night out in La Jolla.

To get close to the stars, visit places such as Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina Island or the San Bernardino mountains. You’ll find plenty of places to eat and drink such as Lost Abbey or the Greenflash in San Diego, AOC or the Night Market Song in Los Angeles. And, actually, near Los Angeles, a variety of campgrounds offer free (and paid for) accommodation such as the Meadow Group Campground, the Malibu Creek Campground, Buckhorn Campground, and the Crystal Land Recreation Area Campground.

Campervan Route Down the California Coast

California dreaming becomes reality when you take your motorhome down the coastline. You’ll discover some the most romantic areas in the States. Drive down the California Highway 1 and you’ll have the coast alongside all the way. You can enjoy ocean views throughout the entire campervan route.

What’s more, you’ll visit the best locations in California including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Redwoods National Park, and Big Sur.

The Sierra Nevada and San Francisco Road Trip California

The California Bay region is mind-blowing. It’s the best of what California has to offer. You’ll enjoy the exciting dynamics in the region and a wide range of activities. Great weather, nature, food, entertainment, and culture; everything is here. You can’t go on a roadtrip in California without passing through the Sierra Nevada and San Francisco, which is one of the best cities in the US.

On the flip-side, Oakland is very low-key and has the coolest weather. And in Napa, you’ll taste the best wine in the States. Take 101 Highway and you’ll reach Santa Cruz and Big Sur, which is one of the best coast areas. You’ll also be close to great outdoor locations such as Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park. In a nutshell, you can practice your climbing skills in Yosemite Park, taste exquisite wine in the Napa Valley, swim in Lake Tahoe and have a picnic in Dolores Park.

Wrapping Up your California road trip

Everybody’s heard of California, it’s even featured in hundreds of songs – Katy Perry who?- . However, to really discover its hidden gems, you should definetly take a California trip down its roads.

If you’re already planning a trip to California,  visit our website Campstar.com  to book your caravan or campsite! and follow us on social media for updates on other great places to visit on your campervan route.