Class C RV Rental
Compare campervans, motorhomes and RVs to rent in San Diego, listed by private owners and local rental businesses. See prices, photos and reviews for RV rental in the USA, then book online with insurance included.
San Diego puts the beaches of Mission Bay and La Jolla in the city itself, with Julian’s apple country and Joshua Tree both realistic day trips. Enter your postcode on the search page, set a collection radius, and you’ll see insured RVs, motorhomes and camper vans from owners and operators across San Diego County.
Every vehicle is listed by its owner — private owners and local rental businesses — and booked through our partner Outdoorsy, with insurance and payment protection on every booking.
RV, Motorhome and Camper Van Rental in San Diego
Owners list everything from compact camper vans and Class B RVs to full-size Class A and C motorhomes, and you book whichever vehicle suits your trip through our partner Outdoorsy. See RV rental, motorhome hire and camper van hire for more on picking a size.
Where to camp near San Diego
- Mission Bay RV Resort — 260 full-hookup sites on the bay, big-rig friendly pull-throughs.
- Campland on the Bay — sandy beach frontage on Mission Bay, full hookups.
- De Anza Cove and the surrounding bay parks — 14 miles of hiking and biking trails right by the water.
Things to see near your San Diego pickup
Balboa Park, 1,200 acres with 18 museums and the San Diego Zoo, is one of the largest urban parks in the country and worth a half-day before you set off. La Jolla, about 15 minutes from downtown, has tide pools, snorkelling and sea lions lounging on the rocks at La Jolla Cove.
Best road trips from San Diego
- Julian — about 60 miles, 1 hour, an easy day trip to a mountain town known for its apple pie, best in the harvest season from August to October.
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park — the scenic route through here to Joshua Tree takes under 4 hours and passes the Salton Sea, California’s largest lake.
- Joshua Tree National Park — about 145 miles via the fastest route through Temecula and Palm Springs, 2.5–3 hours, 2–3 days.
- Los Angeles — about 2 hours north for a longer Southern California trip.
Parking, the border and pets
San Diego bans oversized RVs from parking on public streets between 2am and 6am and within 50 feet of an intersection at any time; residents can get a permit for their own block, but visitors are better off at a campground overnight — San Diego County otherwise allows up to 72 hours where no time limit is posted. If you’re tempted to cross into Mexico, you’ll need Mexican auto insurance by law (US insurance generally doesn’t cover you there), your passport, and an FMM tourist permit for stays over a week — most rental agreements won’t cover a border crossing anyway, so check first. For boondocking, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s Blair Valley Primitive Campground, about 90 minutes out, is a pet-friendly option outside the city’s tight parking rules.
When to travel
San Diego’s climate is mild nearly year-round, making it one of the more forgiving US cities for off-season RV travel. Joshua Tree and the desert routes are best in spring and fall; summer temperatures there regularly pass 100°F.
RV rental near you — other locations
Los Angeles · Phoenix · California · or search any US location on the main RV rental search page.
RV rental San Diego — FAQs
Where can I pick up an RV near San Diego?
Owners list vehicles across San Diego County, from downtown to North County and Chula Vista. A 20–35 mile radius in the search shows the full choice.
Can I take a rental RV into Mexico?
Almost never as standard — most rental agreements exclude cross-border travel, and Mexico requires its own auto insurance regardless, since US policies typically don’t apply there. Check with the owner directly if this matters to your trip.
Is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park suitable for an RV trip from San Diego?
Yes, in the cooler months. The park is about two hours from San Diego, and Borrego Palm Canyon Campground has full-hookup RV sites, with reservations running from 1 October to 30 April. Summer temperatures can reach 125 degrees Fahrenheit and campgrounds close from June to September. Spring is the time for wildflowers, depending on the winter rains. See the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park page.
Can I camp at a San Diego County beach in an RV?
Yes, but check the size limits. San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff has RV sites with hookups for vehicles up to 24 feet, and non-hookup sites up to 35 feet. Availability is tight, with most dates booked ahead, so reserve through ReserveCalifornia as early as you can. Bigger rigs are better suited to the private bay-side resorts on this page. See the San Elijo State Beach page.
Planning a road trip? See our Pacific Coast Highway RV road trip guide, with a day-by-day route, where to stay and driving tips, or browse more road trips.