Bay Area real estate is through the roof! Rental prices are skyrocketing and buying a home these days is incredibly competitive. In Santa Cruz County and other parts of Northern California, the number of folks living in vehicles has increased. In more recent years the number of stories you hear of people choosing to reside via campervan or conversion van is growing.
The San Francisco Bay Area is home to innovative startups and exciting new technology. Brothers Brandon and Scott Nelson recognized the need for more affordable housing for those with active lifestyles.
Brandon Nelson was living in San Mateo, working for GoPro (multi-million dollar tech company who manufactures action cameras) and became inspired by the outrageous rents him and his co-workers were paying. At one point he and colleagues decided to grab some mattresses and live in the company’s parking lot. After GoPro. Nelson (an extreme sports enthusiast and adventure seeker) along with his brother founded The Advanture Co. based out of Santa Cruz County.
The Advanture Co. specializes in taking cargo vans and turning them into custom homes on wheels! Combining personalization, utility and comfort into every van they manufacture is the company’s philosophy. The Advanture Co. produces unique custom vans, including hyper-specific products from suppliers all over the world.
“The whole idea is basically allowing yourself the freedom to do anything you want, that’s the bottom line”, according to Nelson.
The Advanture Co. is in its first year of production and seems to pick up more and more momentum as time carries on. Famous landscape photographer Chris Burkard is purchasing a van and looks forward to the comfort and utility each vehicle features.
The Advanture Co. mostly builds vans upon Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. “If you’re looking for a vehicle with some real longevity that is also gas-efficient and completely functional, a Sprinter van is the way to go,” says Scott. “They’re not cheap vehicles because you can drive up to a million miles in one. You’re more likely to die before it does if you do it right.”
In keeping with the adventure spirit, the company occasionally will use an old Volkswagen or Westfalia for conversion.
Process/Production:
- The Nelson brothers and their team work with each and every client individually to assure they are getting exactly what they want and need
- “Everything is custom, totally varied”, says Nelson. After clients have collaborated on their vehicle, production begins.
- Scott describes the process as ‘building as you go’, after plans are drawn up with CAD, the electrical and plumbing is next.
- Each vehicle is run off solar power.
The Advanture Co. caters to the customer that values freedom, independence and ADVENTURE. These vans are typically used by individuals, friends and couples. However, a growing number of families have been deciding to live full time on the road. Check out this post, www.blog.classicvans.com/family-travel/indefinite-road-trips.html .
Other companies such as: Vanlife customs out of Denver and The Vanual are also dedicated to the art of nomadic living.
Whether your searching for a van for full time living, recreation or work, Classic Vans is the San Francisco Bay Area’s number one dealer in new and pre-owned conversion vans. Classic Vans has been family owned and operated for nearly 30 years. Their inventory includes: Mercedes Sprinters, Chevrolet and GMC conversions, Ford Transits, Pleasure-ways, Roadtreks, Airstreams and so much more!
Call (866) 700-4632 or visit their inventory page, www.classicvans.com.
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