Southern California Motorhome Holiday

Drive the Big Sur
See Yosemite National Park
Stay on the beach at Newport Beach
Make a stop at a real ghost town

Beachfront campgrounds in sunny SoCal - this motorhome holiday is ideal for families.

Stunning national parks, famous cities, iconic beaches and remote desert roads: southern California offers a varied road trip with a seemingly endless line-up of bucket list sights. This round trip itinerary starts and ends in Los Angeles, travelling via the Big Sur, San Francisco, Yosemite and Death Valley national parks as well as the Mojave Desert.

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Day 1 (Arrival and overnight in Los Angeles)

UK to Los Angeles

Fly from the UK to Los Angeles. You cannot collect your motorhome after an international flight so take the chance to unwind at a comfortable hotel close to the airport.

Day 1 (Arrival and overnight in Los Angeles)

Day 2 (Los Angeles to Santa Margarita - 199 Mi)

Los Angeles to Santa Margarita

Head to the nearby Cruise America depot and collect your motorhome. After an orientation session you are ready to hit the open road and start heading north on legendary Highway 1. Make a stop along ‘The American Riviera’ at one of the palm-lined beaches around Santa Barbara before traveling inland to the campground at Santa Margarita.

Distance approx: 199 Mi
Time to travel approx: 3 hour 10 minutes

Day 3 (Santa Margarita to Hearst Castle - 48 Mi)

Santa Margarita to Hearst Castle

The short drive today takes you past plenty of places to stop and enjoy some real Americana. Visit San Luis Obispo, known as the happiest town in America, or the secluded Morro Bay. Continue north up the coast until the distinctive Hearst Castle comes into view on the hills to your right. From your convenient campground explore this marvellous monument built by magnate William Randolph Hearst.

Distance approx: 48 Mi
Time to travel approx: 55 minutes

Day 4 & 5 (Hearst Castle to San Francisco- 241 Mi)

Hearst Castle to San Francisco

Take a day to explore this intriguing city. Visit Chinatown, ride the historic cable cars over San Francisco’s steep hills and head to Fisherman’s Wharf for the city’s best seafood. Speak to your Best at Travel consultant about booking your tickets to visit Alcatraz along with a sightseeing tour of the city.

Distance approx: 241 Mi
Time to travel approx: 3 hour 50 minutes

Day 6 & 7 (San Francisco to Yosemite N.P - 211 Mi)

San Francisco to Yosemite National Park

Journey inland and soon the ground begins to rise. You are entering the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range where explorers, gold prospectors, hunters and pioneers have been finding adventure for centuries. This remarkable region is home to Yosemite National Park but just before you get there you will arrive at the Yosemite Pines RV Park, outside of the national park itself. Spend a day in one of America’s most famous national parks. Granite peaks rise steeply from the pine forests, giant waterfalls cascade from vertical cliffs and an array of wildlife can be seen in the wildflower meadows. There are plenty of walking trails through the park catering to all abilities so we recommend you strike away from the main visitor centre and find your own little piece of this paradise.

Distance approx: 211 Mi
Time to travel approx: 3 hour 55 minutes

Day 6 & 7 (San Francisco to Yosemite N.P - 211 Mi)

Day 8 (Yosemite N.P to Lone Pine - 193 Mi)

Yosemite National Park to Lone Pine

Depart early to make the most of this incredible journey through the Sierra Nevadas and out the other side, crossing through Yosemite and descending to Highway 395 as it travels south. Pass Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous USA, before arriving at your campsite at Lone Pine, close to Death Valley National Park and the lowest point in the USA.

Distance approx: 193 Mi
Time to travel approx: 4 hour 20 minutes

Day 8 (Yosemite N.P to Lone Pine - 193 Mi)

Day 9 (Lone Pine to Barstow - 155 Mi)

Lone Pine to Barstow

As you journey south the land flattens into the remarkable desert scenery of countless Wild West movies. Cacti dot the landscape and the long straight road stretches into California’s Mojave Desert. Your campground is near the town of Barstow and from here you can make a trip to the remarkable ghost town of Callico which used to be a bustling silver mining community.

Distance approx: 155 Mi
Time to travel approx: 2 hour 30 minutes

Day 10 & 11 (Barstow to San Diego - 176 Mi)

Barstow to San Diego

Leave the desert behind and head back to the Pacific coast and the stunning city of San Diego. Campland on the Bay RV Park has a great location on Mission Bay with a sandy beach leading down to this huge saltwater inlet. The coastal city of San Diego epitomises the SoCal lifestyle. Spend a day at SeaWorld San Diego, where fun and frolics go hand-in-hand with local and international marine conservation. Head to Old Town for a true taste of the region’s Mexican heritage or spend a day at the beach in Mission Beach or on Coronado Island.

Distance approx: 176 Mi
Time to travel approx: 2 hour 35 minutes

Day 12 (San Diego to Newport Beach - 91 Mi)

San Diego to Newport Beach

Head north out of San Diego, passing the seaside communities of La Jolla and Carlsbad. Perhaps make a stop at LegoLand, where there is plenty of family fun. Cross the border into Orange County and you will arrive into beautiful Newport Beach. The Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort offers great facilities and plenty of water sports as well as great shopping in the boutiques of Newport Beach.

Distance approx: 91 Mi
Time to travel approx: 1 hour 25 minutes

Compact Motorhome

Our C19 Motorhome Range

Capacity:Sleeps up to 3 people. 6.15 metres long
Features of your motorhome:

'Peace of Mind Insurance'

24 hour customer assistance

Double bed over the cab and single dinette bed

Walk through cabin from the front seats

Air conditioning

Heating

Gas hob

Microwave

Hot and cold running water

Flush toilet

Shower

Radio

Dining area

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Min Rental age: 21

Pre Pay Extras

Pre-Payable Extras:

There is an additional charge for the miles you cover on your trip so save money and pre-purchase mileage packs. 500 miles from £110. Extra miles will be charged at $0.34 per mile when you return the motorhome

Unlimited mileage = £609 for 7-21 days

We can offer an 'Early Bird Departure' which includes a transfer to the rental depot, first in line service and earlier vehicle collection, from £285

Local Pay Extra

Extras Paid at the Depot:

One-way fee

Personal kits - these include sleeping bags, pillows, sheets and towels, from $55 per person

Provisioning kits - these include pots, pans, cookware and crockery, from $100 per vehicle

Generator - an optional extra from $7 per day

Excess mileage

Colorado Road Safety Fee ($2+tax per day) for Denver rentals; Surcharge ($5+tax per day) on Newark and Philadelphia Rentals

Refundable security deposit ($500)

Additional Info

Your motorhome rental includes ‘Peace of Mind’ insurance, with no upselling at the depot as you sometimes get with car hire. Peace of Mind insurance includes third party cover for bodily injury, property damage and personal injury protection for authorised drivers. Supplemental Liability Insurance is also included providing excess liability insurance up to US$1million and your excess for vehicle loss or damage is capped at $1,000 providing the terms and conditions of the rental agreement have been met

Motorhomes cannot be collected on the same day you arrive into the US or Canada on an international or overnight flight, for your own safety

At the end of your rental schedule your flight out for evening or the following day

Motorhome collection begins at 1PM and is completed by 4PM

Motorhomes must be returned between 9-11AM

Minimum hire period is 7 days

All motorhomes have automatic transmission

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Pricing

All prices shown represent a from price per person based on low season travel unless otherwise stated.
Availability of tour components and flights seats change continually, affecting the final price. The lead-in price given is therefore for guidance only.
To obtain a tailored quote for you and your party, please call one of our travel experts today.

This fly drive itinerary runs all year round

from 1st December 2023 - 16th December 2024

from £1,799pp

Supplements

Resort Fee/Tourist Tax - required by some hotels at check in (subject to change)

Important Info

Important info

Campgrounds
With approx. 16,000 campgrounds for you choose from across the USA and Canada, you're spoilt for choice. Call and speak with our travel experts who will happily work with you to plan your next tailor-made motorhome experience . Alternatively you can visit www.koa.com (Kampgrounds of America) where you will find information on over 600 full facility campgrounds in some of the most scenic locations across the USA and Canada.

Important Info when renting a motorhome

Drivers must be over 21 years old and able to provide a full valid driving license

There is no surcharge for additional drivers

A minimum rental period of 7 nights applies

Under no circumstance are you allowed to pick-up the motorhome vehicle, directly after a transatlantic flight

No Sunday departures permitted

Rental centres are open every day during normal working hours except for Sundays and national holidays

You must call the rental centre in the morning to arrange a pick up time, which is normally from 1pm

A $500 deposit payable by credit card and is required when collecting your vehicle

No refunds are given on unused mileage, and additional mileage will be charged when dropping off your vehicle

An Unlimited Mileage Package upgrade is available and will not restrict your distance covered. Ask a member of our team for more details

If traveling with young children, it is recommended to bring your own child seat as these are not provided by the rental centre

You will be given a full orientation of your vehicle before departing the rental centre to ensure your are comfortable with the operation and maintenance of your motorhome

You must return your vehicle by 11am on your last day or a late charge fee of $25 per hour will apply.

We recommend you avoid booking a morning or early afternoon flight on your last day as you will require this time to return the vehicle and get back to the airport