This post is sponsored by RVshare and the writer was hosted.
Are you dreaming of an outdoor adventure but dreading the thought of all the logistics? We’ve got you covered! Imagine arriving at your chosen campsite with a fully-equipped RV already set up and waiting for you.
That’s just what we did on a recent weekend trip to San Diego. We rented an RV through RVshare–the largest online community for RV owners and renters with more than 100,000 vehicles around the country – and spent three fantastic days camping at Sunland San Diego RV Resort.
The RV was delivered to the campsite and all hooked up before we even arrived, and that was an absolute game changer. I’m excited to share all the reasons we loved this experience, and why we think you will, too!
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Stress-Free Camping
When you think of camping, usually the images that come to mind are mountains or forests, pitching tents, or hauling an RV up a long, winding road. And those options are still up for grabs if you’re into that kind of adventure. But if the thought of roughing it gives you pause, rest assured there is an easier way to embark on a fun camping experience.
Renting an RV and having it delivered offers the best of both worlds – a stay in an RV and all the outdoor adventures that go with it, but with the convenience of checking into a hotel. Delivery is a great option if you are flying into a destination, are nervous about hauling a big RV, or aren’t planning on driving the vehicle and want it to be waiting when you arrive at the campsite.
You can choose the RV that best meets your needs and have it delivered, set up, and ready to move in when you arrive. RVshare lets you search for RVs available at your chosen destination, filtering by size, amenities, and price.
We rented a 29-foot Transcend XPLOR travel trailer, with a queen bed, bunk beds, sleeper sofa, bathroom, kitchenette, and a booth table. It was the perfect size (even a little roomy!) for our family of three. When we got to the campsite in San Diego, the RV was parked, leveled, hooked up, and good to go. All we needed to do after checking in with the resort was flip on the lights and start unpacking our stuff.
The RV came stocked with all the basics – silverware, dishes, coffee maker, paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap, camp chairs, bedding and towels (although there was an extra fee for linens, more on that below). We brought our own toiletries and some groceries.
Reserving Your RV
If you’ve ever booked an Airbnb or are familiar with the process, then know that RVshare is very similar. RV owners list their vehicles online, and you can view all the options in your area and reserve the one that’s right for you. You can connect with the owners directly to ask questions about the vehicle, and the site walks you through any insurance or other requirements for a smooth reservation process.
Many (but not all) RV owners offer delivery within a given radius, so be sure to apply this filter if you know for sure you don’t want to (or can’t) transport it. There is an additional fee for delivery, but for us it was absolutely worth it! Having an RV delivered is a perfect way to experience camping in an RV without the stress of having to drive it.
Benefits of RV Delivery
Here are some of the reasons you should consider a campsite-delivered RV for your next getaway:
- Hassle-Free Travel – Skip the stress of towing or driving an RV. Just pack your bags and arrive at your destination ready to relax.
- Ideal for Beginners – New to RVing? This is the perfect way to try out RV camping without the commitment of driving and setting up.
- Flexible Locations – Choose from an endless array of campsites across the country.
- Flexible Options – When you rent an RV, you can choose the type and size that best fit your vacation plans and number of people in your group. There are thousands of options to choose from, including travel trailers, fifth wheels and Class A and B motorhomes.
- Home Comforts – Enjoy the comforts of home whether you are camping in the heart of nature or a more suburban setting. Most RVs come fully furnished with kitchen, bedding, and entertainment options.
- More Time Exploring – With everything set up upon your arrival, you spend more time hiking, swimming, and enjoying your vacation.
Where to Stay
We stayed at the Sunland San Diego RV Resort. This was a very different experience for us as it was not in the mountains or on a lake, but instead centrally located in the suburbs of San Diego right off the 8 Freeway. This location puts you a comfortable 20-minute drive to the beach, Seaport Village San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and many other area attractions. It is also convenient to many grocery stores, restaurants, and a shopping mall.
But the best thing about staying at Sunland San Diego RV Resortis that you don’t have to drive anywhere if you don’t want to! The resort features direct access to the San Diego Trolleylight rail service.
It was so nice to be able to walk to the trolley station and hop aboard a train (they run approximately every 20 minutes). We took the trolley to Old Town San Diego where we spent a lovely afternoon exploring the shops and free museums, and then had a wonderful dinner at one of Old Town’s amazing Mexican restaurants. We didn’t have time on this trip, but if you wanted to you could take the trolley to downtown San Diego, and from there even hop on the ferry to enjoy some time onCoronado Island.
Sunland San Diego RV Resort itself was a great spot to call home for a few days and I highly recommend it. The staff was exceptionally friendly and the grounds were immaculate.
While the campsites were close together (pretty standard for most RV parks), we had a nice patch of grass outside and plenty of space to enjoy sitting outside under the awning. The one thing we really thought the campsites were lacking was a picnic table. We had our own chairs but no table for outside, so that addition would have been nice.
But the resort’s many other amenities more than made up for this. San Diego RV Resort has a nice-sized heated pool and hot tub with plenty of lounge chairs and patio tables on deck. There’s also a barbeque that guests can use.
Throughout the year the resort hosts many special events. We were there over Memorial Day weekend and were treated to a fun afternoon with burgers and hot dogs grilled to order by the pool.
Adjacent to the pool area, you’ll find a fitness center, clubhouse game room, and billiards room. We had a great time one evening shooting pool, and I was excited to see that the game room had a Pac Man arcade game – and you don’t even need to put in quarters to play!
RV Rental Cost
Budget is always a major consideration when planning a vacation. The cost of renting an RV depends on many factors – including size, location, season, and what kind of insurance is needed. You’ll also need to pay for the campsite.
So, it’s a little different than just logging onto your favorite booking site and reserving a hotel room.
The RV we rented cost $129 a night, which is a fair price considering its size and features. But the added expenses for tax, insurance, delivery, a prep fee, a service fee, and even a $38 bedding fee brought the total closer to $300 a night for three nights.
I will admit to some initial sticker shock after seeing the total cost. But after some thought, I realized if you consider hotels also charge tax and resort fees, it was not so bad. And if we had rented the RV for longer than three nights, the fees would have been the same, thus bringing the nightly average way down.
Conclusion
Renting an RV for vacation offers a blend of convenience, comfort, and adventure. By having an RV delivered to your campsite, you can focus less on the logistics and more on enjoying your vacation. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Sunland San Diego RV Resort and would definitely do it again.
If you are curious about RV camping or even thinking of buying one for your family, starting off with a rental is a great way for first-timers to get their toes wet before taking the plunge.
