Fall is one of the best months to get outside and travel. The weather is still nice but not overly hot which makes for the perfect road trip climate! If you’re like us and want to get away, then read over this article and piece together the ultimate Fall itinerary for a memorable adventure.
These recommendations are tailored for people traveling in camper vans. Don’t have one? Give van life a shot and rent one of our camper vans.
Famous Routes to Drive
There are only a couple of those infamous highways and routes that stand the test of time. For some, August is the best month to travel because they are all open, light traffic and beautiful scenery during this time of year.
Pacific Coast Highway
Stretching from Washington to California the Pacific Coast Highway (655 miles) boasts some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. We are mostly familiar with Big Sur, CA but other stopping points include, Olympia in Washington, Astoria in Oregon, and the Redwoods State Park in Humboldt. Our recommendation is starting north and heading South to San Diego: You’re going to be chasing warmer weather and who knows you may just continue to Mexico for a Van Life Baja trip.
Route 66
Commonly referred to as The Mother Road, it stretches 2,500 miles through seven states which goes from Los Angeles to Chicago. When this place was at its peak during the 40’s it was filled with motels, diners and neon lights that would essentially line the highway. There aren’t as many drive-ups today but there a lot of other attractions as well as a beautiful drive. Here’s a couple of our favorite places to visit along the way –
- London Bridge | Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Grand Canyon | South Rim Visitor Center, AZ
- The Petrified Forest | Park Headquarters, AZ
- Cadillac Ranch | Amarillo, TX
- Meramec Caverns | Sullivan, MO
Must Visit California Destinations
October in California is a perfect month to jump in the car and explore the sunny state. Temperatures are warm but not too hot and there typically isn’t any rain. There are almost 300 California State Parks & Beaches, so you’ll have your options to head to the coast, mountains, forest or even the desert. Here are our suggested cities you should take an adventure van in October.
Monterey Bay
Some have said it’s the jewel of the central coast because Monterey county has a little something for everyone. Within Monterey you have a couple great towns to visit like the charming Carmel-By-The-Sea with the little shops and a dog friendly white sand beach. Then head down to Big Sur for a week of camping in the woods and hiking along the coast, don’t forget the to visit McWay Falls.
San Diego
Remember to pack your bathing suit, as the water in San Diego during August has an average temp of 70 degrees which means everyone is surfing, paddle boarding or relaxing on the sand. San Diego is a mecca for converted vans so you will more than likely run into another van lifer while here. Pro tip – Head to Fiesta Island for the day and pull right up to the water right with your camper van.
Lake Tahoe
With temperatures still in the 80’s, Lake Tahoe is an ideal destination for any part-time or full-time van lifer in August. It’s the second deepest lake in the US (behind Crater Lake) and there are plenty of options and places to kayak, paddle board, go boating and take out a jet ski. Here is a quick itinerary of some fun things to do –
- Go paddle boarding at Emerald State Park
- Soak up the sun at King’s beach
- Hike to Cascade Falls
- Go mountain biking at Squaw Valley
- Grab a drink at the Boathouse on the Pier
The Most Ideal National Parks in August
Visiting any National Park should be high on your list for August plans but there are a couple where it’s one of the best times to visit. Like we mentioned above, California is a great state to travel in August so in addition to the recommendations below make sure visits Joshua Tree, Yosemite, the Pinnacles and Sequoia National Park.
Grand Teton Park
Why the Grand Tetons in August? Well the weather is perfect, and the wildlife is teeming so as you drive through this park you will be thoroughly entertained. The summer crowds are on the tail end, and you can probably score a great campsite at Jenny Lake where you’ll be able to hike and SUP.
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is beautiful during the winter but in August you’re able to visit snow free zones that you can’t in other times. Most campgrounds are first-come first-served so staying in a camper vans is nice in the event you can’t get a spot at least you know you’ll have a place to sleep. There are endless activities to do here but these are our the ones we highly suggest –
- Make sure to drive the going-to-the-Sun Road
- Kayak at Lake McDonald
- Go fishing the park – No license needed
Van Life in August
Everyone is in the need of a vacation right now and it’s looking like the safest way is to explore the outdoors and do it in smaller groups. Our camper van rentals seat and sleep 4 people which is perfect for a group of friends or family. Looking for more inspiration for your next vacation in August, check out The Best Places For A Van Road Trip. If you don’t have a converted van and would like to try it out, we rent various models for days, weeks and months: The longer you rent it the lower rate you’ll receive.BOOK YOUR CAMPER VAN RENTAL
