Van Life in Long Beach
Long Beach gives you a coastal city address with surprisingly fast access to four distinct landscapes. In under an hour you can be in the Santa Monica Mountains; in two hours you are at alpine elevation near Big Bear or deep in the Angeles National Forest; in two and a half you are watching the sun set over Joshua Tree boulders. A camper van trip out of Long Beach does not require a long drive before things get interesting.
OffGrid Campervans curates the top-rated, well-reviewed Class B camper vans in the Long Beach area, and you book them directly on Outdoorsy. Every van is hand-picked for quality and host reliability, so you spend your time planning the route rather than sorting through listings.
- Joshua Tree National Park: about 2.5 hours east, best October through April
- Big Bear Lake and Angeles National Forest: 1 to 2 hours north and northeast, late spring through fall for forest, winter for snow
- Santa Monica Mountains: about 45 minutes northwest, fall through spring for hiking and camping
Not sure it's the one? Rent it first.
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Rent it.
The exact model you're thinking about buying.
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Live in it.
Real trip. Real roads. Real experiences.
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Buy it and save.
Love it? We take $500 to $1,000 off the price (depends on the model).
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Or walk away.
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Camper Van Rentals Available in Long Beach, California
Off-grid capable Class B vans available for pickup in Long Beach.
Winnebago Travato Off-Grid Camper Van Rental in Long Beach, California
Rent the Winnebago Travato for your next adventure. Sleeps 3, includes solar power, a full kitchen, and modern amenities in Long Beach, California.
From
$175/night
Most Popular Camper Van Models in Long Beach
The roads around Long Beach cover a wide range of terrain, from coastal canyon switchbacks in the Santa Monica Mountains to high-desert dirt pullouts near Joshua Tree. A compact Class B like the Winnebago Travato handles tight campground loops and mountain roads without the bulk of a larger rig. Look for a build with solid insulation if you plan a winter run to Big Bear or a spring desert camp.
Winnebago Travato
1 listingWinnebago
1 listing in the area, around $175 a night.
Explore the Winnebago TravatoLocal Tips for Long Beach
Book campsites in the Santa Monica Mountains and Angeles National Forest well in advance for fall and spring weekends, since those are peak seasons and spots fill fast.
For a Joshua Tree trip, aim for October through April and bring extra water. Desert campgrounds have no hookups, and temperatures can swing dramatically between day and night.
Big Bear Lake roads can require chains in winter. Confirm road conditions through Caltrans before heading up, and ask your Outdoorsy host whether the van is equipped for snow.
A compact Class B camper van is the right call for this region. Campground loops in the Santa Monica Mountains and the forest roads north of the basin are not built for large rigs.
Long Beach itself has limited overnight street parking for camper vans. Plan to leave the city on the day of pickup and head directly to your first campsite rather than staging overnight in town.
Where to Camp and Explore Near Long Beach
Real spots within reach of a weekend trip.
Santa Monica Mountains
The Santa Monica Mountains stretch along the coast northwest of Long Beach, with canyon trails and ocean overlooks. The mild fall through spring months are the best time to hike and camp.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree's desert boulders and trees make a classic weekend trip east of Long Beach. Fall through spring brings the comfortable temperatures for camping and scrambling.
Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake offers alpine camping and cool mountain air a couple hours northeast in the San Bernardinos. Summer suits the lake, while winter turns it into a snow destination.
Angeles National Forest
The Angeles National Forest gives Long Beach a quick route to pine forest and mountain campgrounds north of the basin. Late spring through fall is the season for the high country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I pick up a camper van rental near Long Beach, California?
The camper vans OffGrid Campervans recommends for the Long Beach area are listed by local hosts on Outdoorsy, so pickup locations vary by listing. Check each listing for the exact pickup address, and confirm details with the host before you book.
How far is Joshua Tree National Park from Long Beach for a camper van trip?
Joshua Tree is about two and a half hours east of Long Beach, making it a realistic same-day drive to your first campsite. The most comfortable window for desert camping runs from October through April, when temperatures drop to a manageable range for sleeping.
What is the best season to camp in the Santa Monica Mountains from Long Beach?
Fall through spring is the sweet spot for the Santa Monica Mountains, about forty-five minutes northwest of Long Beach. The mild temperatures during those months make canyon hiking and coastal overlook camps far more enjoyable than the dry summer heat.
Can I take a camper van to Big Bear Lake from Long Beach?
Big Bear Lake is about two hours northeast in the San Bernardinos and works well for a camper van trip in both summer and winter. Summer is ideal for lakeside camping and cool mountain air, while winter brings snow conditions for a different kind of getaway.
Is Angeles National Forest a good camper van destination from Long Beach?
Angeles National Forest is about an hour north of Long Beach and gives you pine forest and mountain campgrounds without a long drive. Late spring through fall is the best season for the high country, when roads are clear and campgrounds are fully open.
What size camper van works best for the roads and campgrounds near Long Beach?
A Class B camper van is the most practical choice for this region, since campground roads in the Santa Monica Mountains and Angeles National Forest can be narrow and tight. Compact builds also handle the winding mountain routes up to Big Bear and the high desert access roads near Joshua Tree.
What should I know about planning a winter camper van trip from Long Beach, California?
Winter opens up Joshua Tree for comfortable desert camping, with October through April being the recommended window. If you head to Big Bear Lake instead, expect snow and check road conditions before you go, since chains or all-wheel drive may be required on the mountain approach.
Hand-picked, and yours to book direct
Every van here is one we'd book ourselves. We search Outdoorsy and surface the hosts with proven track records, fast replies, and off-grid gear that actually works. You book and pay direct with the host, so we never touch your reservation. If you get stuck, we're here to help.
Camper Van Rentals Near Long Beach
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