West Coast RV Trip for Summer: Don’t Miss These Spots!
As summer draws closer, it’s time to look for great activities that we can enjoy with the kids. While you could decide to stay at home and entertain the kids there, why not take a trip down the West Coast with an RV? These vehicles are great – they’re like a mini home on the road. Plus, you’ll get to experience a diverse variety of views down the coast. We’ll talk a bit more about what you can do and the best spots to visit when you take an RV down the West Coast this summer.
What Benefits Does an RV Offer You on a Road Trip?
Let’s first consider why an RV is such a great choice when it comes to going on a road trip. These vehicles are built for the road, and they are often very family friendly – which means you, your partner, the kids, and perhaps even other relatives will all have enough space to do your thing during the road trip.
Below, we’ll outline some of the most important benefits that an RV offers you during the road trip:
- You’ll be able to save a lot on accommodation fees if you decide to use an RV. There are many free RV parking spots where you can spend the night, and if you need some extra security, there are specific spots that usually charge just a few dollars per night. Compare this to the hundreds of dollars you’ll have to spend on hotel rooms or a bed and breakfast.
- You have the ability to create a “home” feeling in the RV. That’s something that spending every night in a different hotel cannot offer you at all.
- When you pack everything you’ll need during the road trip in your RV, it becomes so much easier to ensure you always have the items you need on hand. With hotel stays, you’ll usually travel light – and this makes it easier to forget important things at home.
- Hotels usually charge quite a lot of money when you want things like breakfast, lunch, and dinner included with your stay. When you’re in the RV, you can easily prepare meals yourself. This becomes even more viable if you have a mini kitchen in your RV – a feature that many modern-day ones offer.
- More recent RV models have also been designed to be more fuel efficient. This means that you could potentially also end up saving money on fuel in the process.
Best West Coast Road Tripping Spots You Should Not Miss
There are a lot of different spots that you do not want to miss throughout the West Coast, but some of them really stand out more for us. In this section, we’ll be sharing a couple of our favorite go-to spots for anyone who is making a West Coast road trip with their RV.
San Diego’s City Tours, Zoo, and LegoLand
Our first stop is San Diego – and there really is a great variety of things to do here. San Diego is known to be home to many servers, thanks to the coastline that stretches so far. Plus, it’s also very popular for the Comic-Con that’s held there every year.
One of the best ways to see more of the city is to get on the hop on hop off bus that gives you a city tour. You can hop off anywhere – but we really advise you to stay for the entire trip. That’s going to allow you to discover a lot of different sights throughout San Diego – even in places where you might not have thought of going upon arrival in the city. The tour is narrated, so you are sure to learn a thing or two about San Diego that you have not known before. If you’re looking to enjoy the tour, consider getting a spot at the Paradise by the Sea Beach RV Resort, then take an Uber to the closest stop that the hop on hop off bus makes.
After taking a tour of the city, make your next stop at the San Diego Zoo. It’s really something, even if you’ve been to other zoos before. It’s located at 2920 Zoo Drive in San Diego and has a lot to offer for the entire family. If you park at the Inspiration Parking Point, then you can also take a shuttle directly toward the entrance of the zoo for free. They have a complete map on their website that allows you to plan out your trip at the zoo, and there’s a GPS-enabled app that you can use too. The San Diego RV Resort is just about 20 minutes from San Diego Zoo – or you can grab a Trolley closeby and experience amazing views on your way to the zoo.
If you’re bringing the kids along, then LegoLand in San Diego is another must. It’s actually a waterpark that offers a classic LEGO theme. There are a lot of fun activities that you and the kids can enjoy at the park – making it a perfect option for the summer. There’s also the theme park and the SEA LIFE Aquarium at Legoland San Diego. The aquarium offers an educational experience with a close view of various sea creatures. If you’re looking for a good spot to park your RV to be close to LegoLand, then consider Paradise by the Sea.
Warner Bros Studio Tour, The Escape Game, and More In Los Angeles
The next step on our list is Los Angeles, California. Now, you might already know this, but it is here where you can see that famous “HOLLYWOOD” sign – the one you sometimes see in movies. It’s definitely an idea for a photographic moment with the family! In terms of what you can do and the sights you should see in Los Angeles, it all starts with the popular Warner Bros Studio tour.
Warner Bros have been in the entertainment industry for many years, and they are well-known for their large diversity of films and even games. If you’re a fan of Warner Bros, then definitely add a tour of the studio to your list. There’s a huge black plot that measures 110 acres that you can explore – with access to sound stages and even movie sets. There are also a couple of activities that you can participate in, bringing a fun twist for the whole family. To complete the experience, be sure to park at Hollywood RV Park! There are shuttles and Ubers available that makes it easy to get from the park directly to the studio.
If you’re up for some challenging fun, then the Escape Game is something you also want to give a try. It’s a great way for the entire family to bond. You can choose from a wide variety of themes with different rooms available – ensuring you get an experience that everyone will love. El Matador State Beach RV Park is a perfect parking spot for the RV if you want to be close to one of the top rated escape game locations in Los Angeles.
While you’re still in Los Angeles, be sure to stop by the Walk of Fame too. It’s really an experience that you do not want to miss. It’s also kid-friendly – so bring the whole family. During your trip to the Walk of Fame, you have an opportunity to check out the Chinese Theatre as well, with regular shows that you can enjoy. Closeby is the Hollywood & Highland Center, where you can find a parking garage that can accommodate your RV.
Morro Bay
Let’s face it – the big cities aren’t for everyone. Sometimes, you want to spend a few days in a peaceful spot – and that’s exactly where Morro Bay comes into the picture. Morro Bay is actually a small town that sits on the beach. While you’re not going to find a huge waterpark or get a tour of a famous movie studio in Morro Bay, it gives you the perfect opportunity to break free from the busy life in big cities and enjoy some peace and quiet.
The kids will enjoy the beach here as the waters are clear. There are also a couple of things that you can do during your time here. You should definitely take some time to explore the tide pools.
Surfing is quite popular in Morro Bay – so if you’ve always wanted to try surfing yourself, now is your chance. There are instructors, and you can rent all the equipment you need to surf on the water in the Bay, which ensures you don’t need to buy something you won’t have a use for later on. You can, of course, decide to invest in your very own surfboard if your time on the water turns out to be more exciting than you expected.
In addition to these activities, be sure to explore the aquarium too. Here’s something interesting that you might not have known – Morro Bay is where Dory from the film Finding Dory was “born”. There is the Marine Life Institute as well, where various exhibitions can be found. This organization has committed itself to finding and rescuing sea life that are hurt or in danger.
There is a lot to discover at this aquarium. While it’s not the biggest one in North America, it is definitely worth putting on your list of stops to make during your trip throughout the West Coast. It’s really cheap to enter the aquarium, and it gives you a view of what’s going on in the ocean.
Since Morro Bay is a rather small spot, it’s a good idea to stop your RV at the Morro Strand RV Park. It’s just a few steps from the beach and gives you easy access to most of the amenities we discussed.
Conclusion
Getting in your RV for a trip along the West Coast during summer is a great idea. It gives you and your family an opportunity to reconnect with nature, and in this part of the country, there truly is a lot to see. From the renowned “Hollywood” sign to the popular Anza Borrego Desert State Park, you’ll be able to give your family a great variety of activities, sights, and even food. Follow our guide to make sure you know exactly where to stop as you traverse through the West Coast.
