San Diego Campervan & Motorhome Hire

Day 1: Collect your RV from the Cruise America depot in Spring Valley, about 13 miles (22 km) east of San Diego Airport, in the 1pm to 4pm pick-up window. Stock up on food and water, then drive about 30 minutes to an RV park on Mission Bay, such as Campland on the Bay, for two nights. This route suits spring and autumn best.

Day 2: Drive 7 miles (11 km) to La Jolla Cove early, before the small car parks fill, to see the sea lions and seals on the rocks. Walk the clifftop path, then spend the afternoon on the beach or take a rideshare to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo, as city streets are tight for a big RV.

Day 3: Head inland about 56 miles (90 km) through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park to Julian, an old gold-mining town known for its apple pie. In the afternoon, drive down the Banner Grade on Highway 78 to Borrego Springs, about 31 miles (50 km), and settle in at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground, which has hook-up sites.

Day 4: Walk the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail early to a desert fan palm oasis, watching for bighorn sheep on the slopes. Visit the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park visitor centre, then drive past the giant metal sculptures that dot the flats around Borrego Springs. Stay up for the stars, as the town is known for its dark night skies.

Day 5: Drive about 87 miles (140 km) via the Borrego Salton Seaway and the shore of the Salton Sea to Palm Springs. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, whose rotating cars take about 10 minutes to climb to the Mountain Station at 8,516 ft (2,596 m), with trails and views over the desert. Stay at an RV park in the Coachella Valley.

Day 6: Drive about 40 miles (64 km) to Joshua Tree National Park's West Entrance, filling your water tanks first, as there is no water or fuel inside. Stop at Hidden Valley, Keys View and Skull Rock, then the Cholla Cactus Garden, and camp at Cottonwood, which has water and a dump station. Book it on recreation.gov.

Day 7: Leave the park by the south entrance and drive about 153 miles (247 km) on I-10 and up the Colorado River to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Walk across London Bridge, which was shipped from England and rebuilt here, then swim or take a boat out on the lake. Stay at an RV park in town, and expect fierce heat in summer.

Day 8: Drive north to Kingman and follow historic Route 66 past the Hackberry General Store to the old road town of Seligman, then rejoin I-40 to Williams, about 193 miles (310 km) in all. Williams is a gateway town for the Grand Canyon, with Route 66 diners, the Grand Canyon Railway and several RV parks.

Day 9: Drive through Flagstaff and down the steep, winding Oak Creek Canyon road to Sedona, about 59 miles (95 km). Stop at Slide Rock State Park to wade in the creek, then watch the sunset turn the red rocks crimson from Airport Mesa. Sedona's streets and trailhead car parks are tight, so book an RV park nearby.

Day 10: Spend the day among Sedona's red rock buttes. Walk to Cathedral Rock or around Bell Rock early, before the heat and crowds, or join a jeep tour into the backcountry and leave the RV at camp. Check the parking rules at each trailhead. In the evening, browse the galleries and courtyards of Tlaquepaque.

Day 11: Drive about 114 miles (183 km) via Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon's South Rim. RVs over 22 ft (6.7 m) have limited parking, so head for the RV spaces in Visitor Center Lot 1, which usually fills by 10am, or Lot D in the village. Walk to Mather Point, then camp at Mather Campground, booked ahead on recreation.gov.

Day 12: Leave the RV at camp and ride the free shuttle buses. Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles from March to November, so take the Red Route out to Hopi Point and Hermits Rest for sunset. Walk part of the Rim Trail, or the first section of the Bright Angel Trail, and carry plenty of water.

Day 13: Drive Desert View Drive east along the rim, about 25 miles (40 km), stopping at Grandview and Lipan Points and the Desert View Watchtower. Continue through Cameron to Page, about 139 miles (223 km) from the village in all, and catch the sunset at Horseshoe Bend, a short walk from the car park. Stay near Lake Powell.

Day 14: Join a guided tour of Antelope Canyon, a narrow sandstone slot canyon on Navajo land, and book well ahead, as visits are by tour only. In the afternoon, swim or take a boat trip on Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, then return to your campground near Page for the night.

Day 15: Drive about 149 miles (241 km) via Kanab and Highway 12 to Bryce Canyon, stopping at the red rock arches of Red Canyon on the way. RVs 23 ft (7 m) and longer cannot park at most viewpoints during shuttle hours, so set up at North Campground in the park or the Ruby's Inn campground and ride the free shuttle.

Day 16: Rise early for sunrise over the hoodoos at Sunrise Point, then hike the Queen's Garden and Navajo Loop down among the rock spires. The rim sits above 2,400 m (8,000 ft), so pack warm layers, as nights are cold even in summer. In the afternoon, drive the scenic road south to Rainbow Point.

Day 17: Cruise America's Standard and Large RVs are wider than the 7 ft 10 in (2.39 m) limit on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, and the limit includes mirrors, so take Highway 20 and I-15 instead, about 150 miles (240 km). Arrive in Springdale, walk the Pa'rus Trail and stay at Watchman Campground, booked up to six months ahead.

Day 18: Ride the free shuttle up Zion Canyon, as the Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles in the shuttle season. Walk the Riverside Walk to the start of The Narrows and the Emerald Pools trails. Angels Landing needs a permit applied for in advance, and pets are not allowed on the shuttle or most trails.

Day 19: Drive about 138 miles (222 km) on I-15 into Nevada and Valley of Fire State Park, where red Aztec sandstone hides petroglyphs more than 2,000 years old. Out-of-state vehicles pay US$15 to enter and camping costs US$25 a night, with water and a dump station. Many trails close from 15 May to 30 September because of the heat.

Day 20: Walk to the petroglyphs at Mouse's Tank or, outside the hot months, the White Domes loop in the cool of the morning, then drive about 57 miles (91 km) to Las Vegas. Settle into an RV park and take a rideshare to the Strip for the casinos, shows and lights, as parking a large RV there is difficult.

Day 21: Empty the waste tanks and refuel the evening before, then return your RV to Cruise America's Las Vegas depot between 9am and 11am, as late returns can cost US$25 an hour. Check one-way availability and the drop fee when you book, as one-way hires depend on the fleet at each depot.

Day 1: Collect your RV in Spring Valley in the 1pm to 4pm window and stock up, then drive about 38 miles (61 km) north to South Carlsbad State Beach, where clifftop campsites sit above the surf. Book on ReserveCalifornia up to six months ahead, as sites fill in summer, and watch the sunset from the bluffs.

Day 2: Follow the coast through Oceanside and San Clemente to Laguna Beach, about 44 miles (71 km), for tide pools and galleries. Continue about 53 miles (86 km) to Dockweiler RV Park on the beach at Playa del Rey, which takes RVs up to 40 ft (12 m), has full hook-ups and opens bookings 90 days ahead.

Day 3: Leave the RV at the park and ride the beach bike path, or take a rideshare, to Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier, the traditional end of Route 66. In the afternoon, head to Hollywood or Griffith Observatory by rideshare, as Los Angeles traffic and parking are hard work in a motorhome.

Day 4: Drive the Pacific Coast Highway through Malibu, stopping at Point Dume for views along the coast, then continue to Leo Carrillo State Park, about 36 miles (58 km) from Dockweiler. Explore its rock pools and sea caves at low tide, and camp under the sycamores a short walk from the beach.

Day 5: Drive about 58 miles (93 km) via Ventura to Santa Barbara, with its Spanish-style buildings and red-tiled roofs. Visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara and walk out along Stearns Wharf, then drive about 21 miles (33 km) west to El Capitan State Beach for two nights by the sea.

Day 6: Spend a slow day on the beach at El Capitan, or walk or cycle the coastal path to nearby Refugio State Beach. In the evening, drive back into Santa Barbara's Funk Zone for wine tasting and dinner, or cook at camp and watch the sun set over the Channel.

Day 7: Drive about 27 miles (43 km) inland to Solvang, a Danish-style village in the Santa Ynez Valley with windmills and bakeries. Continue about 54 miles (87 km) to Pismo Beach, walk the pier and camp at Pismo State Beach. From about November to February, monarch butterflies cluster in the eucalyptus grove next door.

Day 8: Drive about 25 miles (40 km) to Morro Bay, where the domed volcanic plug of Morro Rock guards the harbour. Watch for sea otters in the bay, take a kayak out on the estuary, and try the seafood on the Embarcadero. Stay at Morro Bay State Park, a short drive from the waterfront.

Day 9: Drive about 30 miles (48 km) north to San Simeon and tour Hearst Castle, booking your tour ahead on its website. Stop at the Piedras Blancas elephant seal viewing area a few miles north, where seals haul out on the beach, then camp at San Simeon State Park near Cambria.

Day 10: Drive Highway 1 through Big Sur, about 63 miles (102 km) of cliffs and curves, to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which takes motorhomes up to 32 ft (9.75 m). Stop at Ragged Point and McWay Falls on the way. Check Caltrans QuickMap before you set off, as slips and roadworks can bring one-way traffic or closures.

Day 11: Cross Bixby Bridge and continue about 32 miles (52 km) to Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey. Carmel's lanes are narrow, so park in a large lot or leave the RV at camp, then visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium and walk Cannery Row. Stay at an RV park in Monterey or nearby Marina.

Day 12: Drive about 43 miles (70 km) around Monterey Bay to Santa Cruz. Ride the rides at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, watch the surfers at Steamer Lane and walk among the redwoods at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Camp at New Brighton State Beach on the bluffs above the bay.

Day 13: Drive the quiet coast road north about 48 miles (78 km) to Half Moon Bay, stopping at Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Ano Nuevo State Park, where elephant seals gather to breed in winter on guided walks you book ahead. Camp at Half Moon Bay State Beach for your last night.

Day 14: Empty the tanks, refuel and drive to the Cruise America depot that serves San Francisco, returning the RV between 9am and 11am, as late returns can cost US$25 an hour. Check one-way availability and the drop fee when you book. Then explore San Francisco by BART, cable car and on foot.

Day 1: Collect your RV in Spring Valley in the afternoon pick-up window, stock up, and drive about 20 miles (32 km) to Silver Strand State Beach, an RV campground on the narrow strip between the Pacific and San Diego Bay. Book ahead on ReserveCalifornia, as sites fill fast in summer, and walk to the water for sunset.

Day 2: Cycle or take a rideshare about 5 miles (9 km) to Coronado to see the Hotel del Coronado and its wide, sandy beach. In the afternoon, take in the views over the bay from Point Loma, then catch the sunset at Sunset Cliffs, or head to the Gaslamp Quarter for dinner by rideshare.

Day 3: Drive about 23 miles (37 km) north to La Jolla Cove to see the sea lions, then head inland about 58 miles (93 km) through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park to Julian. Try a slice of the town's famous apple pie and wander its old gold-rush main street, then camp at William Heise County Park in the pine and oak woods nearby.

Day 4: Take the Banner Grade on Highway 78 down into the desert, about 35 miles (56 km) to Borrego Springs. Stop at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park visitor centre, then walk the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail to a fan palm oasis in the cooler late afternoon. Camp at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground, booked ahead from October to April.

Day 5: Spend the day exploring the giant metal sculptures scattered around Borrego Springs, then walk the short Cactus Loop and Yaqui Well trails near Tamarisk Grove. Ask rangers before driving any dirt road, as many need 4WD. After dark, look up from camp, as Borrego Springs is known for its dark night skies.

Day 6: Drive back over the mountains via Julian and Ramona, about 62 miles (99 km), to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park near Escondido, where giraffes, rhinos and elephants roam large open habitats. Then drive about 31 miles (50 km) to an RV park near the depot, such as Santee Lakes, for your last night.

Day 7: Empty the waste tanks, refuel and return your RV to the Spring Valley depot between 9am and 11am, about 10 miles (16 km) from Santee, or to El Monte RV in Santee before 10am. If you have time before your flight, take a rideshare to Balboa Park, with its gardens, museums and the San Diego Zoo.