5 Best Weekend Getaways from San Diego for Custom Van Travelers
One of the best things about San Diego is that you are only a few hours away from completely different worlds. Whether you want to wake up to the sound of the desert or the smell of the pines, having a custom van means your weekend starts the moment you pull out of the driveway.
At The Good Van, we spend a lot of time thinking about these local escapes. Here are five of our favorite weekend trips that show off exactly why we love the mobile lifestyle in Southern California.
1. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Just two hours east of the city, Anza-Borrego feels like another planet. It is California’s largest state park and a true haven for anyone who values wide-open spaces and dark, starry skies.
The Drive The route through Julian is beautiful, especially in the spring. Once you drop down into the desert floor, you have miles of sandy washes and rugged canyons to explore.
The Experience This is where a high-clearance van really shines. You can find a quiet spot to tuck away for the night and enjoy some of the best stargazing in the country. Since it is a designated Dark Sky Park, the view from your back doors at midnight is something you will never forget.
2. Idyllwild and the San Jacinto Mountains
When the San Diego heat gets to be too much, we head up to Idyllwild. This quirky mountain town sits at over 5,000 feet and offers a total reset from the coastal humidity.
The Drive The climb up Highway 74 is steep and winding, but the views of the valley below are incredible. It is a great test for your van’s low-end torque and handling.
The Experience Idyllwild is incredibly friendly toward the van community. You can spend your morning hiking the Ernie Maxwell Trail and your afternoon grabbing a coffee in town. It is the perfect place to test out your van’s heater during those crisp mountain nights.
3. Joshua Tree National Park
No list of Southern California trips is complete without Joshua Tree. It is the ultimate proving ground for a custom build and a staple for the local community.
The Drive It is a straight shot north through the Coachella Valley. It is a simple drive that lands you right in the heart of the Mojave.
The Experience The rock formations and Mojave Yuccas create a landscape that feels like a natural art gallery. Because campsites here fill up fast, having a self-contained van with a good solar setup is a huge advantage. You can stay comfortable and powered up even when you are tucked deep into the boulders.
4. Big Sur via the Pacific Coast Highway
If you have a long weekend, heading north toward Big Sur is the quintessential California road trip. This is the drive that most people imagine when they first decide to build a van.
The Drive While it is a longer haul from San Diego, the stretch of Highway 1 through Big Sur is world-famous for a reason. The cliffs meet the Pacific in a way that is truly breathtaking.
The Experience This trip is all about the "slow roll." Pull over at the vista points, make a fresh lunch in your galley, and watch the fog roll in over the redwoods. It is a reminder that the journey is just as important as the destination.
5. Silver Strand and Coronado
Sometimes you don't want to drive for hours to feel like you are on vacation. Silver Strand State Beach offers a "staycation" vibe right in our own backyard.
The Drive It is a short, scenic cruise down the strand with the ocean on one side and the bay on the other.
The Experience Falling asleep to the sound of the waves is the ultimate luxury. It is the perfect spot for a quick Friday night getaway when you want to wake up on the water, grab a surf, and still be back in the city for a Saturday brunch.
Ready to hit the road?
The best part about these trips is that they are all within reach of a standard weekend. Whether you are seeking the silence of the desert or the energy of the coast, your van is the key that unlocks it all.
If you are still in the planning stages of your build, think about which of these landscapes you’ll visit most. That might help you decide on things like your water capacity or whether you need a dedicated heater for those mountain nights.
