Top 2023 Road Trip Destinations for Campervans (California Edition)

You might not initially think of San Francisco when considering your next RV road trip. But don’t let the city’s steep hills and winding streets keep you from experiencing the beauty of the City by the Bay.

Located 15 minutes from downtown San Francisco and situated on a bluff, San Francisco RV Resort features lots of wonderful amenities and easy access to public transportation. The resort has space for 188 rigs of all sizes, and hookups are available at most sites. If you want to set up shop right along the water, you’ll need to dry camp.

Enjoy the stunning Pacific Ocean at spots like Ocean and Baker beaches. Also, be sure to visit one of San Francisco’s many state-of-the-art museums, such as the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young, the Palace of the Fine Arts, or the Exploratorium.

Located in historic Sierra City, just off the Yuba River, Sierra Skies RV Park is the perfect place for couples, friends and families to enjoy both nature and comfort. Sierra City, a gateway to the Pacific Crest Trail, offers lots of opportunities for hiking and exploration.

Attractions include (but aren’t limited to):

• Tahoe National Forest
• Plumas Golf Course
• The gold rush towns of Sierra City and Downieville
• Yuba River fly fishing

Amenities include hookups, AT&T internet, hot showers, changing rooms, a convenience store, picnic benches and coin-operated laundry areas. Gold panning, swimming, river rafting and fly fishing are just a few of the many on-site activities featured.

Just outside of beautiful Santa Barbara is where you’ll find Ocean Mesa at El Capitan RV Resort. More like “glamping,” Ocean Mesa offers a sparkling pool, laundry facility and Wi-Fi—all while nestled in the scenic Los Padres National Forest above the Pacific Ocean. El Capitan has a summer concert series in the canyon from May through September. Enjoy blues, jazz and bluegrass music for $18 per person.

Feeling a bit stiff? Why not try a massage at the resort’s spa center? The Ocean Mesa Spa offers reasonably priced massages of all different types by licensed massage therapists.

Several top-rated golf courses are also located nearby. Whale watching and sailboat excursions are available as well.

McCloud is located at the base of Mt. Shasta. It’s a picturesque RV resort with the backdrop of the stunning cascade mountains. Resort amenities include a group BBQ area, fishing ponds, fish cleaning stations, on-site laundry, free hot showers, a heated bath house and much more. Wi-Fi is available, as are full hookups. If you have friends or loved ones joining you who aren’t in an RV, heated cabins are available for rent.

The quaint town of Shasta is located nearby. Golfers and outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the many courses, hiking trails and activities located around the area.

Lake Tahoe has so many places to set up your RV to camp and enjoy all that the area has to offer. Ed Z’Berg at Sugar Pine is seated on the western shore, 10 miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89. It has easy access to hiking, fishing and water skiing in the summer. In the winter, enjoy sledding, skiing and snowmobiling.

Amenities include showers, restrooms, dump stations, a beach and a picnic area. Sugar Pine Point State Park doesn’t have hookups, so prepare to dry camp.

Enjoy the iconic lake and nearby casinos and restaurants in South Lake Tahoe.

Located in the Sierra foothills, in the scenic area of Lotus, Ponderosa RV Park is a beautiful destination. Enjoy whitewater rafting in the south fork of the American River, as well as bocce ball, fishing, kayaking and panning for gold. Visit nearby wineries and the Red Hawk Casino for entertainment.

Amenities include a swimming pool, picnic areas, restrooms, full hookups, a general store and shower facilities.

The Monterey Peninsula is located on the central coast of California. It’s situated in Monterey County and is best known for its scenic ocean views, rich marine life, and cultural activities. There are a number of excellent RV campgrounds in the Monterey Peninsula area to choose from, but these are a couple of our favorites.

Marina Dunes RV Park

Just a quick 15-minute drive north from Monterey Bay, Marina Dunes RV Park is situated near the ocean, providing breathtaking year-round views. Upon arrival, you’re met with the mesmerizing sounds of waves crashing and immediate access to the beach. Situated close to Monterey, Pebble Beach, Big Sur and Carmel, this RV park is a prime spot for exploring the beauty of the California shoreline.

Monterey County Fairgrounds RV Park

Located only a short distance from Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, this RV site boasts unmatched proximity to the best local hotspots. Although the park itself largely resembles a large parking lot, its location and amenities, including hookups for electrical, water and sewer, showers, laundry and internet access, make it the perfect spot for your next RV trip.

Hayward is located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area and is known for its diverse population, educational institutions like California State University, as well as various parks and recreational areas. 

Our top pick for campervans is Coyote Hills Regional Park, where you’ll have more than 1,200 acres of grasslands and marshlands to hike, bird watch, or go bicycling. Their campground is fully ADA-compliant and features picnic tables, a fire pit, a handwashing station and vault toilets.

​​Big Sur is located on the central coast of California, stretching approximately 90 miles from Carmel to San Simeon along the Pacific Coast Highway (California State Route 1). It’s renowned for its stunning coastal cliffs, redwood forests, and dramatic views of the Santa Lucia Mountains. While there, you can visit local attractions like Bixby Bridge and Hearst Castle.

You’ll have no shortage of awesome RV parks to choose from in Big Sur, but one of our favorites is Fernwood Resort, located near Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. This campground offers electric and water hookups, a picnic table and a fire pit, along with access to their general store, where you can enjoy fresh local produce, coffee, espressos, and fresh scooped ice cream. Shower and bathroom facilities are also located on site.