Good news for all our USA fans – roadsurfer is now also available in California! Our location in Los Angeles is the perfect base for an iconic West Coast road trip. Metropolises, coasts, and national parks await you on the greatest road trip adventure.

Author: Annika Ziehen

Photo: Max Müller

1st Stop – Santa Barbara

• Visit the Channel Islands National Park, which calls itself the Galapagos of North America – a paradise for water and nature lovers.
• A highlight for families is MOXI, an interactive museum of science and creativity.
• The Santa Barbara Channel is home to 27 species of whales and dolphins, which you can spot on a catamaran tour.

Campsite: Paradise Campground

2nd Stop – San Simeon

• See Hearst Castle and check out the 120 zebras that live here.
• Then head to William R. Hearst Memorial Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the region.
• Visit the Piedras Blancas Colony – here you can see elephant seals all year round, up to 17,000 depending on the season.

Campsite: San Simeon Creek Campground

3rd Stop – Carmel-by-the-Sea & Monterey

• Drive along Ocean Avenue and enjoy the view of the beautiful Carmel Beach.
• Park your camper and head out on foot for wine tasting – there are more than 20 places to sample in Carmel.
• Visit the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, a great activity for the whole family in case it rains.
• Stroll along Old Fisherman’s Wharf which is a very charming tourist attraction.

Campsite: Monterey Fairgrounds RV Park

4th Stop – Silicon Valley

• At the Intel Museum, you can learn all about the computer technology that made the area so famous.
• NASA is located in Silicon Valley, and the NASA Ames Research Center has great exhibitions on space exploration.
• A visit to Apple is a must – besides the latest iPhones, you can also buy exclusive Apple promotional items that you can’t find anywhere else.

Campsite: Black Mountain Backpack Camp

5th Stop – San Francisco

• Ditch your roadsurfer and walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, the most famous bridge in the world.
• Tour Alcatraz, the former prison located on an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay.
• Stroll through the city when it gets dark, as Illuminate SF lights up the streets with various light installations.
• A bit kitschy and very touristy, but still nice: a ride on the famous San Francisco Cable Cars.

Campsite: Kirby Cove Campground

1st Stop – Sacramento

• Get caught up in gold fever at Old Sacramento State Historic Park – the historic area is full of buildings from the Gold Rush era.
• The American River also played an important role during the Gold Rush and you can go rafting here.
• The California State Railroad Museum is one of the largest railway museums in the world and a great destination for the whole family.

Campsite: Cal Expo RV Park

2nd Stop – Lake Tahoe

• There are many great hiking trails in South Lake Tahoe for every fitness level.
• Take a boat ride across the lake and Emerald Bay State Park on the west shore.
• In winter, there’s great skiing in the Sierra Nevada. Squaw Valley Resort is especially nice, or just ride the Heavenly Gondola for a great view over Lake Tahoe.

Campsite: Eagle Point Campground

3rd Stop – Yosemite Nationalpark

• Be sure to bring your camera for a souvenir photo of Yosemite Falls. You don’t even have to get out of your camper (although we recommend you do) for a good view!
• Half Dome is a world-class climbing area, and even if you don’t want to swing up high, you shouldn’t miss the view.
• El Capitan has also made some climbers world famous. See it from below and then admire it up close in the famous film “Free Solo”.

Campsite: Yosemite Creek Campground

4th Stop – Fresno

• If you want to cool off in the summer, take a tour of the Forestiere Underground Gardens, which, as the name suggests, are underground.
• In spring, the Fresno Blossom Trail is unparalleled – 62 miles of regional fruit trees are in full bloom.
• Spend a night camping in the beautiful Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, part of the Sierra Nevada.

Campsite: Blackstone North RV Park

5th Stop – Las Vegas

• In Las Vegas, you either gamble away your savings or become a millionaire, OR you can visit the fascinating Death Valley National Park on a guided day tour. You will have to leave your camper behind because a drive through Death Valley is not covered by insurance! But it’s nice to be driven around in comfort, so you can concentrate on the great views.
• Dante’s View offers the best view in Death Valley and over the Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the USA.
• From Zabriskie Point, you’ll get a fantastic view of the region, especially at sunset.

Campsite: RV Park Circus Circus

6th Stop – Los Angeles

• Finally, head back to Lake Hollywood Park for the best shot of the Hollywood Sign.

1st Stop – San Diego

• Take a stroll through the Gaslamp Quarter with its picturesque Victorian buildings and numerous restaurants and bars.
• Visit the famous San Diego Zoo and then stroll through beautiful Balboa Park.
• In Old Town San Diego, you can travel back in time as restored houses tell the story of the first European settlers in California.

Campsite: Campland on the Bay

2nd Stop – Palm Springs

• If you don’t suffer from vertigo, take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up Chino Canyon for 2.5 miles.
• Get your cameras out for the chic Desert Modernist buildings that the area is so famous for.
• Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum for contemporary art from the West Coast and the desert.

Campsite: Palm Springs Oasis RV Resort

3rd Stop – Joshua Tree Nationalpark

• Enjoy the best view of the Coachella Valley from the Keys View lookout.
• For those new to hiking, the Hidden Valley Nature Trail is a great destination as it is only one mile long and easily accessible.
• Climbing and bouldering are a large part of Joshua Tree – there are around 8,000 routes.
• Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock, and Barker Dam, home to the largest Joshua palm lilies.

Campsite: Hidden Valley Campground or Jumbo Rocks