Nestled along the picturesque California coast lies San Francisco. With its iconic landmarks, vibrant culture, and breathtaking vistas, this city by the bay captivates visitors with its eclectic charm.
It’s no wonder why San Francisco attracts around 23 million visitors each year. This is where historic streets intersect with modern marvels, and fog-kissed mornings give way to sun-soaked afternoons.
But this is just the start of an exciting journey through the American West and Pacific Northwest. A San Francisco campervan rental can take you on a unique adventure you won’t soon forget. Check out these 8 unforgettable campervan itineraries for yourself below.
SEE OUR CAMPERVANSPacific Coastal Highway Road Trip Itinerary
A San Francisco campervan rental is a great way to tour the sights and scenery of California at your own pace. And where better to start than with the iconic Pacific Coast Highway? A PCH road trip entails 980 miles over 8 to 12 days.
Beginning in San Francisco, your Pacific Coast Highway journey will lead you to Santa Cruz, known for its stunning beaches and the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. From there, continue south to Big Sur, where you can explore Pfeiffer Beach and the scenic 17 Mile Drive.
Next, head towards San Luis Obispo. Stop in Cambria for coastal views and Morro Bay to see Morro Rock. Venture to Santa Barbara, where you can explore Pismo Beach and the Danish-inspired town of Solvang.
After Santa Barbara, make your way to Los Angeles, where you can enjoy the surf at Ventura or visit the Channel Islands National Park. Spend the night at Bolsa Chica State Park before heading to Santa Monica, known for its famous pier and beaches.
Continue to Malibu, stopping at the Getty Villa and enjoying the tranquil beaches. Then, head to San Simeon, home to Hearst Castle, before continuing to Monterey and Carmel. Explore Point Lobos State Reserve and enjoy the rustic wineries of Monterey.
Finally, return to San Francisco. Visit the Gilroy Outlets or Gilroy Gardens theme park for some relaxation before concluding your epic Pacific Coast Highway campervan road trip.
Northern California and Oregon Campervan Wine Tour
Embark in your San Francisco campervan rental for a tour of Oregon and Nor Cal’s wine countries logging 1.536 miles over 16 to 20 days. Head east on I-80 and take a quick detour to Domaine Carneros for a taste of their famous sparkling wine and a tour of the French-inspired chateau and gardens.
Next, park your campervan at Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa for the night so you’re well-rested. In the morning, board the Napa Valley Wine Train for a six-hour wine-tasting tour.
Continue to Sonoma, just 35 miles away, for more wine tasting at Gloria Ferrer Wines and Cline Family Cellars. If you’re staying overnight, reserve a spot at a Glen Ellen campground.
Your California/Oregon Campervan Wine Tour will take you 130 miles to Mendocino, known for farm-to-table cuisine and oceanfront botanical gardens. Along the way, you can stop at Santa Rosa and Healdsburg for more wine tasting.
The drive from Mendocino to Eureka takes you through scenic coastal routes. Stop at Fort Bragg and Humboldt Redwoods State Park for wine tasting and camping.
Head north to Ashland, Oregon, for a change of pace. Visit Moonstone Crossing and Fieldbrook Wineries in Crescent City before continuing to Ashland’s Creekside Campground for the night.
Continue to Eugene, Oregon, for more wine tasting at Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards, Brandborg Vineyard and Winery, and King Estate Winery. Stay at Armitage Park campground.
Finally, head to Portland, stopping at Willamette Valley Vineyards and Dayton wineries. From there, return to Medford for more wine tasting before heading back to San Francisco.
California National Parks Campervan Adventure
California plays host to 9 incredible national parks. These include Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Sequoia, and Death Valley.
If you’re planning on hitting the focal points of these breathtaking national parks, a San Francisco campervan rental is the way to go. This California National Parks Campervan Adventure will rack up 1,533 miles and take around 21 to 25 days to complete.
This journey will take you from the bustling city of San Francisco to the breathtaking natural wonders of Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park. You’ll also see Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, Pinnacles National Park, Big Sur, and Monterey, before heading back to San Francisco.
Highlights include camping at Del Valle Regional Park and Railtown 1897 State Historic Park near Yosemite and exploring Yosemite’s Glacier Point and Yosemite Falls. Of interest is the Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno and hiking among the giant sequoias in Sequoia National Park.
In Death Valley, don’t miss Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Darwin Falls, and Mosaic Canyon Trail. Joshua Tree offers stunning views from Keys View, hikes at Hidden Valley Nature Trail, and the unique landscape of Cholla Cactus Garden.
Experience the desert oasis of Palm Springs with attractions like Moorten Botanical Garden and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. In San Luis Obispo, enjoy the Los Angeles County Arboretum, Griffith’s Observatory, Bishop Peak, and Montana de Oro State Park.
Drive through the Paso Robles wine region on your way to Pinnacles National Park, where you can camp and hike its 30 miles of trails. Continue along the Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur, stopping at Point Lobos State Reserve, and camp at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground.
End your journey in Monterey, exploring Jacks Peak Park and Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Finish with a 2-hour drive back to San Francisco, completing your adventure through California’s stunning landscapes.
Epic Route 66 Road Trip
Get your kicks on Route 66 with this 4,725 mile, 21-28 day road trip. Once you’ve picked up your San Franciso campervan rental head to Las Vegas, for some world-class entertainment and delicious food.
From there, your Epic Route 66 Road Trip will take you to Arizona’s Grand Canyon via I-40, passing through Oatman and Kingman. Stay at Trailer Village RV Park on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Continue east on I-40 toward Albuquerque, stopping at Williams, Seligman, and Flagstaff, Arizona, and camp at the Route 66 RV Resort or Albuquerque KOA Journey campground.
Drive east on I-40 toward Oklahoma City, stopping at the VW Slug Bug Ranch in Amarillo, TX. Once you reach Oklahoma City, camp at Twin Fountains RV Park.
Venturing onto St. Louis, you’ll want to stop at Missouri’s natural caverns like Meramac Caverns and Mark Twain Cave. Camp at the Historic Route 66 KOA or Lakeside Park RV Campground.
Finish your trip in Chicago, visiting landmarks such as the Litchfield Museum and Pontiac’s Route 66 Association. Camp at Illinois Beach State Park or Starved Rock State Park.
Drive from Chicago to Salt Lake City, camping in Millcreek or Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons. Finally, head to Reno via I-80, camping at Lake Tahoe. Return to San Francisco for one last night camping before returning your campervan rental.
San Francisco to San Diego Campervan Trip
Driving from San Francisco to San Diego sounds like a lot, but in reality, it’s only 1,086 miles roundtrip. This makes it the perfect 10 to 15-day trip in a San Francisco campervan rental.
Start your coastal California journey in San Francisco. Drive south on US 101 to Half Moon Bay for its beach and cliffs. Explore Santa Cruz’s beaches and West Cliff Drive, then head to Monterey, known for Del Monte Beach and Lovers Point.
Continue south on Highway 1 to Pismo Beach, passing Big Sur’s stunning coastline and parks like Julia Pfeiffer Burns. Travel to Santa Barbara through the San Louis Obispo wine region, stopping at Refugio State Beach. Explore Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf.
Next, head to Los Angeles via US 101 for a quicker trip or take the scenic Pacific Coast Highway. Visit iconic beaches like Venice Beach and Huntington Beach. Continue to Anaheim, home to Disneyland and nearby beaches like Laguna and Newport.
Finally, journey to San Diego, known for its beaches like San Onofre and Carlsbad. Explore Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.
Return back to San Francisco by way of Santa Monica and the I-5 North highway. Stop at Vasquez Rocks and Carrizo Plain National Monument to view some truly unique landscapes.
San Francisco to Crater Lake Road Itinerary
San Francisco to Crater Lake will take you up to Oregon’s lush green landscape and back down through Sacramento. You’ll span 1,279 Miles over 18 to 21 days.
Head north on I-880 and I-580 for US-101 to reach Redwood National and State Parks. Stop at Point Reyes National Seashore and Eureka on the way. Explore Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and camp at Elk Prairie Campground or Gold Bluffs Beach Campground.
From Redwood, drive to Ashland, Oregon, passing through Klamath Tour Thru Tree and possibly Oregon Caves National Monument. Park at Ashland’s Creekside Campground near Lithia Park. Continue to Crater Lake National Park via OR-62 E, stopping at Joseph Stewart County Park and Rogue River Gorge Viewpoint.
Next, head to Eugene via Redmond and Smith Rock State Park for rock climbing and hiking. Stay at Armitage Park Campground or Richardson Park Campground. Return to California through Medford and enjoy Oregon wine country.
From Medford, drive to Mount Shasta, California, passing through Ashland. Travel south to Sacramento, passing Mossbrae Falls and Castle Crags State Park. Explore Lake Shasta Caverns and Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge before camping lakeside or in an RV park.
Complete your journey with a drive to San Francisco. Stop at the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden Headquarters and Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek. Stay at a San Francisco campground before dropping off your campervan.
San Francisco to Lake Tahoe
Traveling from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe in the scenic High Sierras is a dream in a San Francisco campervan rental. This 8-12-day road trip will rack up around 521 miles on the odometer.
Head to Sacramento, the City of Trees via the I-80. Stop at Muir Woods National Monument for a forest exploration. Pass by Grizzly Island Wildlife Area and Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area for wildlife viewing.
Continuing to Lake Tahoe, it’s a 103-mile drive through Eldorado National Forest. Explore landmarks like White Pines Lake and Black Chasm Cavern. Drive to Carson City, NV, for a 28-mile trip to visit Sand Harbor and Chimney Beach with scenic camping at Washoe Lake State Park.
Travel 15 miles to historic Virginia City, then 26 miles to Reno. Stay at the Gold Ranch Casino and RV Resort. Drive 32 miles to Truckee, CA, and explore Boca Reservoir and Donner Memorial State Park.
Finish with a 156-mile drive to Napa Valley, then it’s 67 miles back to San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge.
California Desert Road Trip
If you’re a fan of arid desert climates, then a California Desert Trip is just what you need. This itinerary covers 1,315 miles over 21-24 days.
Start your California desert adventure in San Francisco, then head south on I-280 and CA-17 to reach Santa Cruz in under 90 minutes. Stop in San Jose at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. Travel from Santa Cruz to Pismo Beach, a 176-mile journey down US-101.
Continue to Santa Barbara, an 82-mile trip on US-101 S, and explore historic missions and wineries along the way. Camp at El Capitan Canyon.
From Santa Barbara, head to Los Angeles via US-101 S or CA-1 for scenic views. Visit Malibu by camping at Malibu Creek State Park or Sycamore Canyon Campground.
Travel from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, a 106-mile journey on CA-60 E, with an optional detour to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve for a desert oasis experience. Along the way, you’ll pass through Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, Bakersfield, and Fresno.
Yosemite National Park is a must-do. It’s just about 1 hour from Fresno, heading north on CA-41. Then it’s a 3-hour trip back to San Francisco.
Book a Quality San Francisco Campervan Rental from Traveller’s Autobarn Today
No matter where you go, your next unforgettable trip is within reach. A San Francisco campervan rental makes it fun and easy to tour the country in style and comfort. Whether you’re looking for a short excursion or a long-term vacation, a campervan rental lets you do it all.
Travellers Autobarn has a great selection of campervans and RVs to choose from. Whether you need a minivan for short trips or a family-sized campervan that sleeps 4 to 5 people, we have what you need to help make your vacation memorable.
Get started by requesting a free rental quick quote today.
About the Author
Bastian Graf
Bastian is the Sales & Marketing Manager here at Travellers Autobarn. He holds a Master of Commerce in Marketing and International Business Management, and 20+ years experience in campervan hire, road trips and travel.
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