Great value rentals from the United States’ most trusted RV hire providers
San Francisco is a bustling city, but it is also a great place to explore in an RV. There are many beautiful camping spots throughout the Bay Area where you can park your vehicle and enjoy the outdoors. Whether you are looking for an affordable camper or a luxury RV rental in San Francisco, you can easily find it at VroomVroomVroom.
When someone mentions San Francisco, your first thoughts may be of a cable car, the hilly streets or the iconic image of the Golden Gate Bridge. These attractions barely scratch the surface when it comes to this colorful city. Visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, or head across the shore to take a tour of Alcatraz Island. With an RV rental, you can explore more of California’s stunning coastline.
Some of our favorite things to do year-round in San Francisco are:
Summer (June, July, August): There is no dull moment in the city in summer with numerous festivals happening this season including the Union Street Festival, North Beach Festival, and the San Francisco Jazz Festival. This is also the baseball season so make sure to catch a game at the AT&T Park.
Fall (September, October, November): Witness the breathtaking autumn leaves of the East Coast as you go on a day trip to Napa Valley. Just over an hour drive from San Francisco, Napa is the perfect place to explore different wineries and enjoy views of rolling vineyards. Fall is also a great time to go apple picking at Chileno Valley Ranch or Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch.
Winter (December, January, February): Ice skating is a popular winter activity in San Francisco and some of the best places to do this include the Union Square Ice Rink, Holiday Ice Rink, and Winter Park at Civic Center. Feel the holiday spirit by joining the WinterFest at California’s Great America and Holiday in the Park at Six Flags.
Spring (March, April, May): Head to the San Francisco Botanical Garden to witness flowers in full bloom this time of the year. The Golden Gate Park is also a wonderful place to visit in spring with its themed gardens. You can also enjoy whale watching this season and there are several whale tours to choose from in the city including San Francisco Whale Tours.
Year-Round: A trip to San Francisco won’t be complete without visiting the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Other attractions that won’t burn your pocket include the Alamo Square Painted Ladies, Cable Car Museum, Grace Cathedral, and Maritime Museum. If you got some money to spend, a trip to Alcatraz Island is definitely worth every penny.
Napa Valley Expo RV Park is on the 3rd Street in Napa and approximately an hour drive from San Francisco. The downtown historic Napa, Oxbow Market, and the Napa Valley Wine Train are all within 12 blocks. Free Wi-Fi with full hookups, water, electric, and sewer are available for a modest fee. There is a dump fee charge if you are visiting and not camping. Hang out for the seasonal Napa Town and County Fair during the summer.
Tradewinds RV Park, on Lincoln Road in West Vallejo, lets vacationers find the one place that fits RV hookups. It’s just a 30 to 45-minute drive from San Francisco. Skip the freeways, hang out in an RV, and stay at Lincoln Road West for a superb destination experience. Trek across San Francisco Bay to and from the Tradewinds on the Vallejo-San Francisco Ferry. Cable service, DVD rentals, laundry, restrooms, and showers are all on-site for Tradewinds guests.
Wine Country RV Park, on Cristobal Way in the city of Rohnert Park, receives accolades from RV rental travelers. Full hookups, water, electric, and septic service are accessible to visitors. The park has a total of 150 campsites with guest access to workout facilities, recreation, and internet. Wine Country RV invites pets too for a well-rounded family stay. Find your perfect Wine Country oasis at Sonoma.
The Golden Gate Bridge has become a famous symbol for San Francisco around the world. The bridge spans 1.7 miles, linking San Francisco to Marin County. Enjoy the impressive view of the bridge from a number of different vantage points around the city, or head off on a long walk across the bay.
The Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary is a well-known former prison on Alcatraz Island. Visitors can go on informative tours of the site and learn about some of the famous criminals that were held there, escape attempts and the military history of the area. You can take a boat ride from San Francisco and it will only take around 15 minutes to get to the island.
Fisherman’s Wharf overlooks San Francisco’s beautiful bay and provides a variety of seafood dining options. There are also interesting markets along the surrounding streets and unique souvenir shops. Sightseeing cruises often leave from Fisherman’s Wharf. Don’t miss out on one of the city’s most famous regions if you are visiting the city.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, located on Howard Street, caters to the vibrant worlds of paintings, sculptures, and media all with a theme-centric San Francisco. Local and international artists show collections that depict the shifts of culture and cross-cultural experiences. Park your RV rental and check-in at SFMOMA to see film installations and tech-driven art that will amaze and astonish. The museum presents modern art and multimedia at Third Street.
On hiring an RV in San Francisco
Unlike when hiring a rental car, people tend to book an RV a bit further in advance, and there are a few reasons for this.
When you’re hiring an RV, you’re not simply hiring something with four wheels to buzz around a city for a few days, instead you’re hiring a vehicle that you could well be living in for days, weeks, or even months. As such, people tend to have far more specific needs — some may require a certain number of berths, perhaps an onboard kitchen, or more comfortable living space. All this means that doing your research to find the right RV for you can pay off handsomely — but it also means that supply is more limited. When supply is limited, it is a good idea to book as far in advance as possible so that you know that the RV you need will be waiting for you when you arrive.
With this in mind, while it isn’t unusual for people to book a hire car the day before they need it, with RVs, people often book their vehicle months in advance. So our advice to you is if you’re planning to rent an RV, start researching today, and when you find the right RV for you, book it!
One more point, another way RV rentals differ from regular cars, is that bookings are not instant. Once you make an RV booking it will need to be approved by the provider. Yet another reason not to leave your RV rental until you’re sitting in the airport boarding lounge.
If you’re new to RVs and not sure where to start, please give our RV rental information page a read as it explains many of the basics you’ll need to know to make an informed decision.
We could start off by telling you that a typical customer hiring an RV in San Francisco tends to look at RVs with two or four berths (including a toilet and shower). This isn’t really all that helpful though, as they type of RV you should hire in San Francisco depends very much on the type of RV you — rather than a typical customer — needs. Consider the following questions:
How big is your travel group? What is your budget? What facilities do you need — or not need? Where are you planning to go? How long for? Knowing the answers to these questions — and plenty more — is the best way to make sure the RV you hire in San Francisco is the right one for you.
Solo travellers or couples might find a compact RV to be more than enough, while families — especially those with young kids — or larger groups might prefer a more spacious motorhome with multiple sleeping areas.
Next, consider the facilities you need and the facilities you want. These might sound the same, but they are very different! Basic RVs often include a bed and simple cooking gear, while more luxurious options feature kitchens, bathrooms, and comfortable bedding. For example, if you’re planning on camping, perhaps paying the extra for comfortable beds isn’t really necessary, but if you’re not even packing a tent, then the extra expense required to get more comfortable beds might be a smart choice.
Where you’re going also matters. If you’re planning to just potter around San Francisco and its immediate surrounds, then you could probably get away with a standard RV. That said, if you’re planning to drive from San Francisco to Denver — or Los Angeles — something more spacious would be a sound investment.
Think about your budget, as RVs vary in cost depending on size, amenities, and rental duration, and while shortening the length of your trip might bring different options within your budget, spending more to get a bigger van may mean you’ll spend even less on hotels. Either way, do the math!
In conclusion, when you’re booking an RV for pickup from San Francisco, it pays to be honest when considering what you need versus what you want, along with what fits with your budget and overall travel plans. It’s the best way to maximise your chance of getting the perfect RV for you.
For most rental RV providers, the minimum age to rent an RV is the same as for car rentals — 21 years of age. Depending on the RV rental supplier, those under 21 may only be able to rent certain vehicles. Double check with the RV rental provider to see what their specific requirements are.
In most cases, you won’t need to present a special type of licence to rent an RV — you’ll only be asked to present your standard and valid full driving licence. Keep in mind that a probationary, learner permit, or provisional licence are not accepted for RV hire. If your licence is in a language other than English, you’ll need to provide an International Driving Permit in conjunction with your valid licence. If you’re unsure as to whether your licence will be accepted, you should contact your prospective RV provider prior to booking.
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