If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling by RV for a family vacation, now is the perfect time to give it a try. RV rental and RV travel has become increasingly popular during the pandemic, and for good reason. While traditional travel is on pause, traveling in a recreational vehicle means adventuring while staying safe in your own home-base. From mountain views to ocean vistas, there are many stunning SoCal RV stops for your crew to explore. Ready to hit the road? Check out these cool RV parks and RV resorts for your next big adventure.
Costa Vista RV Resort in San Diego
Calling all glampers! You don't have to travel far to experience an epic RV getaway. San Diego newcomer Costa Vista is turning RV life into an upscale resort-style experience. Opening April 2021, on-site amenities at this modern RV destination include a juice and breakfast bar, on-site cantina, fitness center, pool with cabanas and splash pad and access to the Sweetwater Marsh bike and walking path. No RV? No problem. Costa Vista also has modern, fully-furnished vacation rentals.
Say cheers to a wine country getaway that's not only stunningly beautiful, but family-friendly! With more than 200 local wineries, Paso Robles is a picturesque gem on California's Central Coast, and Cava Robles RV Resort is at the center of it all. With vineyard vibes, modern pools and on-site restaurant, this upscale RV resort is a great spot to park your home-on-wheels while you soak it all in.
Parents will love exploring nearby wineries such Eberle Winery and Vina Robles, while kids will love getting their giggles out at the expansive playground in Downtown City Park. After exploring the charming downtown square, snag a seat on Thomas Hill Organics' patio or order to-go and experience the local flavor of this coveted farm-to-table restaurant.
Take a trip to the American Riviera with a vacation to Santa Barbara's spectacular coast. With stunning views and glamping amenities, Ocean Mesa RV Resort is a great choice to explore this coastal region. Get into the outdoors on one of the nearby hiking trails or head to downtown Santa Barbara for a guided family kayak session with Santa Barbara Adventure Company. Kids will love looking for sea stars and seals while you take in the stunning scenery.
Ocean Mesa guests are also invited to enjoy amenities from adjacent sister property, El Capitan Canyon. RV life here includes seasonal concerts, outdoor movies, heated pool, playground and an on-site spa. Forget something? Head to the resort's market and grab a bottle of wine, s'mores supplies or goodies from local purveyors.
Whether you're headed to the desert for some fun in the sun or to hit nearby Joshua Tree National Park, Indian Wells RV Resort is well-situated for a sunny desert getaway. Grab a famous date shake at nearby Shields Date Garden or enjoy patio dining on El Paseo before heading to the Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert. Rated in the top 1% of U.S. attractions by Trip Advisor, the Living Desert Zoo is home to giraffes, an Australian Adventure exhibit where you can intermingle with wallabies, cheetahs, big horn sheep and a popular G-scale model train exhibit with 3,300 feet of track. After a day at the zoo, splash at the resort's heated pool while epic sunsets color the desert sky.
Inside scoop: Book a site on Mountain Vista (pictured) for new concrete pads and palm trees!
Ready to hit the mountain trails of Big Bear? Pineknot Campground, open this year from Apr. 23-Oct. 30, 2021, is the perfect spot to explore this destination. Whether you've come to hike, bike, or just soak up the mountain views, Big Bear is an outdoor lover's paradise.
Additionally, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo is a must-visit for animal-loving families. The zoo has been saving wildlife since 1959 and has a beautiful new facility in Moonridge. Families will love getting up-close to well-cared-for animals including grizzly bears, bobcats, snow leopards, bald eagles, foxes and mountain lions. While 90% of the animals treated by Big Bear Alpine Zoo get re-released to their native environments, animals who are too injured or unable to care for themselves in the wild can be seen in the new facility.
After you've worked up an appetite, make sure to check out Visit Big Bear's list of open places for takeout!
Buckle up those seat belts because this epic road trip destination is worth the drive. A 7-hour trip from San Diego brings you to Sand Hollow State Park in Hurricane, Utah. Just 45-minutes from majestic Zion National Park, this breathtaking state park is comprised of red sandstone rock and warm, blue swimming holes. Bring your tent or RV and boat, fish, and dive from the popular rock formations at Sand Hollow Reservoir. Ready to go off-road? Ride the dunes of Sand Mountain in an off-highway vehicle before you retire to your RV site for an epic Utah sunset over the unworldly red rocks.
Hello beachfront! Can't get much closer to the ocean without a boat at Port San Luis RV Camping in Avila Beach. This beautiful spot on California's Central Coast is just past Avila Beach and steps from the sand. Here, you'll enjoy endless ocean views, a pier with restaurant and seafood market, charter fishing and a dog beach where Fido can frolic freely. The kids will love the gentle waves and a front row view to sea lions basking in the sun. All RV Camping is currently by online reservation only.
Looking for first tracks with your little shredders? China Peak Mountain Resort in Lakeshore is one of a few ski resorts in California that offers overnight RV parking. Wake up mountainside for an epic day on the slopes and settle back into your RV for après-ski naps and snacks. Rates are $49 for non-holidays and all RV's must have a reservation.