RV Travel Essentials for a San Francisco Adventure

San Francisco is often referred to as the ‘City by the Bay’, and it’s world-renowned for its incredible landmarks, whether it’s the iconic Golden Gate Bridge or the historic Alcatraz Island.

However, there’s a lot more to this city than scenic views and famous landmarks. There’s plenty to see and do, so why not discover it all on the open road?

An RV is the perfect vehicle for memorable road trips, and there’s nothing quite like seeing San Francisco whilst out on the road.

In this guide, we’ll touch on the basics of how to hire a campervan and what you’ll want to look for in an RV rental. There’s also a handy checklist of everything you need to make your San Francisco adventure one to remember.

Hiring a campervan for your San Francisco travels

Campervan hire has never been easier, thanks to the numerous online services and platforms that make booking them straightforward. You’ll want to pick an RV that suits your needs from a reputable company like Indie Campers RV rental in San Francisco. 

Here are a few tips for hiring a campervan, especially if you’re doing so for the first time.

Size and capacity

It’s beneficial to look at what sizes are available and what you’ll need to house all of your travel party. How many people will be traveling and sleeping in the van? There are a variety of sizes available, but you’ll want to pick one that’s comfortable enough for everyone to fit into.

Facilities and equipment

Depending on how long you plan to travel around San Francisco in the RV, you’ll want to ensure it has everything you’ll need while living in it. From facilities like a toilet, fridge, shower, and heating, these are all essentials that you’ll want to consider.

You may need to bring your own bedding, kitchenware, etc, or there are options out there that will enable you to hire all of this if required.

Power supply

For some travelers who use RVs, it’s worth thinking about the power supply that you’ll need to run everything within the vehicle. If the van runs off a leisure battery and/or has an external electrical hookup, it’s good to know how this might affect your ability to use those amenities or equipment you need to keep running.

Reputation of the rental company

The reputation of the rental company from which you’re hiring the campervan is also essential. You want to ensure that you do your due diligence by checking the reviews available online from the rental company.

Reputation is essential not only to put your trust in a company when renting an RV, but to have more confidence that the RVs themselves are good-quality vehicles for road use.

What to pack for RV travel 

Once you’ve picked out the desired RV for your travels, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need for your adventures. Of course, there are things you can buy while on the road, but it’s always beneficial to be prepared ahead of time. 

Here’s everything worth packing for your road trip to San Francisco.

Safety and tools

You never know what you might encounter or experience whilst out on the road. That’s what makes road trips such memorable adventures. It’s good to have some emergency tools and equipment to hand, should they be needed.

A first-aid kit is helpful to have, as well as carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, with any cooking you’ll be doing within the RV.

A roadside emergency kit with jumper cables and basic tools is proper, too. While you wouldn’t want anything to happen that impacts your road trip negatively, sometimes nasty surprises can happen.

Hookup supplies

Hookup supplies are beneficial to have when traveling on the road, especially when stopping off at RV campsites. Leveling blocks, a water pressure regulator, wheel chocks, and a portable water hose are all beneficial to have available.

Kitchenware and toiletries

When you’re in a home away from home, it’s good to have all of the necessities when it comes to kitchenware and toiletries. Pots, pans, food storage, and utensils are all of the kitchenware items you’d likely need for a trip to San Francisco.

Don’t forget about key toiletries, too, like RV-friendly toilet paper and cleaning supplies that will help keep the toilet and the RV smelling fresh at all times.

Plenty of weather-appropriate clothing 

It’s always good to be mindful of the weather when packing for a trip away. Whether you’re going during peak warmth or you’re navigating a period of weather that may be a mix of both cold and hot, it’s good to bring plenty of clothing rather than not enough of it.

For unpredictable weather, keep warm with a windproof jacket and a raincoat. Bring thermal layers for cooler days and pack a few wildcards just in case you have the odd day of warm weather that’s unexpected.

Personal home comforts

Personal comforts are handy to have, especially when living out on the road. While there are some services out there where you can rent all of your blankets, pillows, and bedding, you might find it easier just to bring your own.

Some seasonal campervan drivers bring their camping chairs too for extra comfort when pitching up at campsites.

Navigation

While having a physical map is somewhat outdated nowadays, it’s always good to have one on hand in an emergency. However, for most drivers on the road nowadays, a GPS or mobile hotspot for navigation while driving is handy.

It’s also good for highlighting any potential traffic or problems on the road in real-time.

Any relevant travel and excursion documents 

Finally, it’s worth keeping hold of any important personal documents or RV documents. These should ideally be within easy reach, just in case they’re needed.

The benefits of hiring an RV versus alternative transport

What are some of the benefits of hiring an RV versus using alternative transport?

• It’s a home on the road – With many RVs, you get pretty much everything you need in it that mimics what you have in your own home. 
• You get to sleep amidst nature – While it might not be something everyone thinks of as their idea of a good time, lovers of RV and camping get to sleep under the stars and amongst the wildlife.
• You’ve got your own kitchen – The perks of your own kitchen mean you can save yourself a fair chunk of money instead of eating out all the time while traveling.
• Flexibility of when and where you go – An RV gives you the freedom to travel wherever and whenever you want. There are no restrictions as to when you need to get up and check out or when you have breakfast.

Maximizing Your RV Adventures

When you’re looking to make the most out of your RV adventures wherever you plan on going next, including San Francisco, it’s good to be prepared. Here’s everything you need to get the most out of your RV excursions.

Plan but stay flexible

It’s good to be proactive when researching your route and potential stop-off points. However, it’s good to be open to change. That flexibility will often lead to spontaneity and a chance to make memories you never thought you would make.

Practice driving the RV

You should get comfortable with your RV before you start driving it on the open road. Get used to the vehicle by moving it around your local area, ideally in a quiet place.

Understand your RV’s heating, electrical, and plumbing systems so that you can easily handle any issues should they arise.

Prep the RV before you leave

It’s helpful to prep the RV before you leave, making sure everything is secure for when you’re driving and that you fill up the water tank.

Be mindful of waste when traveling in the RV

It’s worth being mindful of waste contribution when out on the road. The last thing you should be doing is leaving behind trash in public spaces or not disposing of your waste correctly.

Pick a reliable rental service for RV travel in San Francisco 

It’s essential to select a reliable rental service for your RV travel in San Francisco. Make sure to check the rental site you’re on, which caters to the types of RVs you need and are looking for. 

Check out the reviews to ensure legitimacy, and be sure to have the above checklist to hand when packing and preparing for your trip to San Francisco, whenever you plan to go.

Author Bio: Natalie Griffiths (LinkedIn)

Natalie is a freelance writer with five years of copywriting experience across diverse business industries.