Explore California: Premium RV Campgrounds for Memorable Spring Trips
We all know that great family vacations mean making memories that last a lifetime. What if the perfect family trip was easier and cost less than you could ever imagine?
If you have a motorhome equipped with affordable RV insurance in California, the perfect spring trip is just a drive away. However, some destinations are better than others. To plan the perfect outing for yourself and your family, you need to know more about where you can go and what to expect once you get there.
Ready to begin planning the trip of a lifetime? Keep reading to discover where to find the best RV camping in California!
Setting the Scene: California’s RV Campground Experience
The rest of this guide will walk you through some of the best places you can take the family in your recreational vehicle. However, you might be focused on this basic question: Why should you stick around in California for a spring trip rather than driving or flying somewhere more exotic?
The answer is that the state offers such a diversity of sights and experiences that you don’t have to travel very far to have a memorable trip. Furthermore, RV camping culture has blossomed so much in the Golden State that this is the perfect time to turn your motorhome into a mobile destination for endless summer fun. You’re likely to need dedicated RV insurance in California, so don’t forget to give your agent a call before getting on the road.
Diversity of Landscapes and Camping Opportunities
If you’ve lived in California for most (or all) of your life, you might have started taking the state for granted and believing that you need to travel far away to have a fun trip. Fortunately, all it takes is a drive (or two, or three) through the state to see that California has more natural diversity and beauty than any three European countries put together.
For example, this state may be known for its sunshine, but it also has its share of snow-capped mountains. On top of that, the state is famous for its redwood forests, but it also has the barren beauty that only a desert can provide. Even if you stick to the coastline, there are 840 miles of wildly differing terrain that will take you from the border of Oregon to the border of Mexico.
Also, the state has a whopping 300 state parks as well as 20 national forests. If you and your family are really into camping, why not fire up the recreational vehicle and check out some of the best camping opportunities the country has to offer?
The Rise of RV Camping in the Golden State
If you’ve never tried camping, then this is arguably the best time to do so. Following the pandemic lockdowns and social distancing guidelines of 2020, the number of first-time camping households has increased greatly. This means that when you’re ready to take the plunge, you’re likely to find plenty of friends, family, and co-workers who can offer helpful advice regarding your recreational vehicle and your first big trip.
Additionally, the increase in the number of campers has led to new businesses and services designed to cater to this growing market. From getting on the road to making the most of your destination, there are more businesses throughout the state than ever before that can help you.
This rise has many people asking whether auto insurance covers your RV or trailer in California. This depends on your policy (and your trailer), so it’s a good idea to talk to your agent while you’re planning your next adventure.
Premier RV Campgrounds for Your California Adventure
There are plenty of places you can take the motorhome for your family’s next spring trip. So many places, in fact, that it can be difficult to choose where to go first.
The guide below makes things much easier for you. No matter where you live in California or how little time you want to spend on the road, the perfect camping trip destination is waiting for you!
Coastal Escapes: Campgrounds by the Sea
Camping doesn’t necessarily mean hiking into the woods. If you’re looking for some of the best beach RV camping in California, you should check out Ocean Mesa at El Capitan in Santa Barbara. Just over two hours from Los Angeles, this campground combines a beautiful beach with vineyards, hiking trails, and even a kids’ playground. At night, use one of the fire pits to grill a tasty meal for you and the family.
If you want a classic coastal adventure, consider checking out Malibu Beach RV Park. This area provides some of the best RV camping in southern California, allowing you to camp right on the sand. The ocean views alone are worth the price of entry, and in the evenings, you’ll be lulled to sleep by the gentle sounds of the tide.
Mountain Retreats: High-Altitude Havens
If you’d prefer some beautiful mountain views, California provides some top-tier options. For example, you can drive to the Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort. It offers stunning views of the Santa Cruz Mountains while also providing some of the best RV camping in northern California.
Meanwhile, the Serrano Campground features breathtaking views of the San Bernardino Mountains and the opportunity to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. If a spring day is a little too hot for hiking, you can always spend some time in Big Bear Lake!
Amenities That Make the Difference
When choosing where to go for your next California recreational vehicle camping adventure, it can be helpful to consider what perks the campground offers. These vary greatly, so you may want to check with the campground before booking.
Full Hookups and Modern Conveniences
Generally speaking, you’ll want campgrounds that offer hookups for electricity, water, and sewer. Depending on the needs of you and your family, you may want somewhere with other modern services, such as laundry facilities, pools, restaurants, and children’s playgrounds. These features can help you create comfortable California living in your RV!
Unique Onsite Features for the Ultimate Comfort
All of the above features are desirable, but you can likely find them in any number of campgrounds. To further help you decide, consider the unique onsite benefits they have to offer. This could include nature’s beauty (like views of the mountains, the woods, the beach, and so on) or things like family-friendly resort services (which can help your kids make new friends or just give you and your partner some alone time).
Discovering Dog-Friendly Destinations
Is man’s best friend coming on your next RV trip? If so, be sure to do your research ahead of time to discover whether a campground is dog friendly.
The good news is that more campgrounds than you might expect are perfectly fine if you bring your furry friends along. At the same time, the last thing you want is to drive all the way to the campground of your dreams only to discover that they won’t let you bring your furbaby in with you!
Making Your Journey Sustainable
Growing up, you may have heard the oldest rule of camping: Leave the place in better condition than you found it. With an RV camping trip, there are a variety of ways to make your entire journey more sustainable.
In some cases, this boils down to knowing what to do once you’re at the campground, both to conserve resources and generally get along well with the owners and your fellow guests. However, it’s also important to know the simple steps you can take to make your trip there and back as green as possible.
Eco-Friendly Practices at Campgrounds
The first step in being eco-friendly at the campground is to reduce how much water you use. You can do this by staying at places that use recycled water and have low-flow showerheads and faucets. Be mindful of your own water consumption while there.
Additionally, make sure you are using features like recycling bins and that you clean up all your trash on the way out. Whether or not this is an official policy, it’s an easy way to help the environment while making life a bit easier for those around you.
Tips for a Greener RV Trip
If you’ve got the time and money, consider adding solar panels to your recreational vehicle and switching the old lights out for LEDs (great projects when getting the RV ready for the season). This makes your vehicle more energy efficient while giving you an ongoing source of energy for your stay.
Switching to biodiesel can help reduce your carbon footprint. Making sure you have streamlined your packing and ditched extra weight can also make your journey more fuel-efficient. Finally, recycle whenever you can, avoid bringing disposable items, and start composting to make your trip as green as possible.
Safety Measures for Peaceful Stays
The first step in keeping you and your family safe at the campground is researching ahead of time to make sure the area is well-maintained and generally very secure (which may mean security cameras, gates, and even security people). It’s also important to set up camp in a well-lit area and keep your recreational vehicle locked up whenever you are away. (To keep your stuff safe, make sure you brush up on whether your homeowner’s insurance policy covers your RV.)
It’s also important to understand fire safety and know how to use your RV’s fire extinguisher. Other than that, your most important safety tip is getting to know your neighbors. In addition to potentially making some new friends, you and your fellow campers can help keep each other safe by watching out for threats.
Ensure You Have the Best RV Insurance
Now you know how to make the best out of your next springtime RV camping trip. But do you know where you can find the best RV insurance in California?
At Cost-U-Less, we’re here to keep you safe on the journey so you can focus on the where you’re going. Ready to enjoy real peace of mind next time you take your family somewhere special? Call us at (800) 390-4071 or get a fast and free RV insurance quote online. You can also find a Cost-U-Less office near you.
