Do I need a special licence to hire a campervan in California?

For most travelers, a special licence is not necessary to hire a campervan in California. A valid driving licence is required, though, to operate any of our vehicles. If you are a non-EU citizen, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required in addition to your home country’s driving licence. Additionally, your licence must match the transmission type of the vehicle (manual or automatic). You can find more details about driving licence requirements here.

Are pets allowed in your campervans?

Yes, our campervans are pet-friendly. Just be sure to add the extra cleaning service when booking. This ensures a professional anti-allergy cleaning is carried out after your trip. Please note that only one pet is allowed per campervan, and it must not exceed 30kg in weight. Also, we are not liable for any legal fees related to traveling with pets. If you’re booking through our marketplace, check the “vehicle rules” section to confirm if the vehicle is pet-friendly.

How many people can sleep in a campervan?

The sleeping capacity of our campervans and motorhomes varies depending on the model and size. Our Class C motorhomes can typically accommodate 4 to 8 people, while our Class B campervans can sleep between 2 to 4 people. Vehicles equipped with a rooftop tent generally have space for around 2 people. For a full breakdown of our models and sleeping capacities, click here.

Where can I stay overnight in California with a campervan rental, and is it safe?

If you're exploring California in a campervan rental, it's essential to be aware of the country’s official camping regulations. Many natural areas are legally protected, so using designated overnight parking spots or official campsites is strongly recommended. This not only helps preserve the environment but also ensures a safe and enjoyable experience. For more guidance on safety and responsible camping, click here.

Is it safe to rent a campervan in California? What protection do I have?

We provide three different protection plans to cover any incidents or damages that might occur during your campervan rental. All Indie Campers campervans come with third-party vehicle insurance, and property damage coverage (which varies based on the country). For marketplace rentals, insurance options may differ depending on the host. For further details on campervan insurance, visit this page.

Can I rent a campervan near me?

Yes, our search filter makes it easy to rent a campervan close to your location by using a 60km radius system. Depending on where you're searching from, you can quickly find the nearest Indie Campers campervan rental pick-up centre.

Do your RV rentals in California come with unlimited mileage?

Yes, a selected number of Indie Campers RV rentals in California include unlimited mileage, allowing you to explore freely and make the most of your road trip! Please note that unlimited mileage applies exclusively to Indie Campers RVs and is subject to responsible use.

Campervan and RV Hire in California

Explore California With Us!

Embark on an RV hire in California with Indie Campers and discover the Golden State's endless adventures. Cruise Highway 1 from San Francisco to Los Angeles, explore Yosemite's granite cliffs, or surf San Diego's sun-soaked beaches. Choose from our range of reliable RVs equipped with unlimited miles, flexible one-way options, and 24/7 assistance. With thousands of five-star reviews, Indie Campers is your perfect partner for California's coast, mountains, and deserts.

RV Road Trips Across California

California contains more distinct road trip landscapes within a single state boundary than most countries contain within their national borders. The Pacific Coast Highway runs 1,055 km (656 miles) of two-lane coastal highway from the Oregon border to San Diego, passing through redwood forest, sea cliff, and chaparral-covered headland continuously. Fifty-four kilometres east of the coast, Yosemite Valley sits at 1,200 metres in the Sierra Nevada. Six hours southeast of San Francisco, Death Valley drops to 86 metres below sea level and regularly records the highest air temperature on Earth. The same state park system that manages beachside campgrounds in Malibu manages alpine campgrounds at 2,400 metres in the southern Cascades. No other state in the US network asks you to make this many decisions about what kind of landscape you want to sleep in.

The three Indie Campers pick-up centres are in San Francisco,

California by Sub-Area: Where to Go and What to Expect

Northern California: Redwoods to Mount Shasta

Nearest pick-up centre: San Francisco
Distance across sub-area: Approximately 500 km (310 miles) from San Francisco north to the Oregon border
Character: Old-growth coast redwood forest is the defining landscape: Sequoia sempervirens, the tallest living species on Earth, grows in a narrow fog-fed coastal belt running from Muir Woods (26 km north of San Francisco) to Jedediah Smith Redwoods on the Oregon border. The redwood zone averages 60-100 metres canopy height. Inland, the Klamath Mountains and Shasta-Trinity National Forest transition to volcanic plateau; Mount Shasta (4,322 metres, GPS: 41.4092° N, 122.1949° W) is the second-highest peak in the Cascades and visible for 160 km on a clear day. US-101 north of San Francisco alternates between coast-hugging bluff sections and inland valley segments; the Avenue of the Giants (32 km, GPS south entrance: 40.3245° N, 124.0650° W) runs beneath the tallest unprotected redwood grove remaining in California.

Best for: Travellers who have already done Yosemite and the PCH; first-timers who specifically want old-growth forest and dramatic coast with low crowds
Signature route: US-101 north from San Francisco to the Oregon border (650 km, 4-6 days)
Don't miss: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, the Fern Canyon slot canyon, Trinidad Head Trail
Best months: May through October; summer marine fog clears by mid-morning most days; July-September has the longest clear windows

One of the most memorable things to do in California is to hire a campervan or RV and visit the national parks. National parks are very distinctive in the United States, particularly in California, as they all have original features that will leave you in awe.