Family Trip to Big Sur in a Camper Van

When photographer Marilyn Diaz-Norris took a family trip in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter called Brandy, she knew just where to head: Big Sur.

Originally from California, the state and all its iconic destinations holds a special place in Marilyn’s heart. And as a new mom, Marilyn knew she wanted to build memories to last a lifetime. This was her and her husband’s first time traveling with their toddler.

As is the case with all GoCamp rentals, Marilyn’s trip started with a quick demo from the van owner on how to use the van’s various features. Apart from the camping systems, which were straight forward, Marilyn was pleased to discover the van drove much like a regular car.

“Driving the van towards the central coast was a lovely training course on acclimating ourselves to how the van drives. And to our surprise, she was easy to drive and even fit in standard parking spaces. We loved the ability to pull over for a quick diaper change, or make a stop for a beachside nap.”

After some beach time in Capitola, the family was ready to head to Big Sur. And they weren’t in a rush, so from hidden gems along the highway to dips in crystal clear rivers and campsite tacos, Marilyn and her family enjoyed every step along the way.

Thanks to the camper van’s extensive storage space and kitchen appliances, they were able to pack all their necessities and enjoy home-cooked meals while on the road.

“One of my partner Patrick’s favorite features was the storage rack under the bed. Originally intended for bringing a bicycle along your trip, it also doubles as a super convenient way to access all of our stuff without having to crawl under the bed. Most days when we set up camp we would extend the rack fully out so we could have maximum space inside the van for hanging out, cooking, and accessing the storage drawers.”

Rent a GoCamp Camper Van for Your Family Adventure

As Marilyn discovered, camper vans make traveling with little ones super easy. And that's true whether your kids are toddlers or teens.

Click the button below to browse our curated fleet of fully outfitted camper vans. Whether you head to sunny California, the beautiful Rockies, or the Pacific Northwest, your family will be glad to have all the comforts a camper van provides.