Man Trip to Southern California

Camping in King's Canyon

This photo was taken by Rob Meerding, a recent VW traveler and professional photographer visiting from Holland.

Dear Diane and Bill,

Thank you very much for the letter with picture we received from Diane yesterday and for her kind words. It should go without saying that people take good care of your vans and we were happy to do so. We so much enjoyed driving around in it, we really had a great time! It was wonderful that you put in everything we needed, like oil and vinegar and herbs, so you don’t have to start shopping and buying all kinds of big bottles. That was absolutely wonderful...
...If ever we get back to California, you will surely see us for coffee or a meal. Good luck with your lovely company and thanks again for everything!
Take care,
Nicolien, Rob and Aster

Artic Ice Cream adds 6 VDubs to Fleet in 1963

This picture was sent to us by one of our recent camper clients from Holland, Nicolien. Her father and his brother purchased these VW's for their ice cream company, Artic, back in 1963!

California Coast with Eddie

We miss Albie!

Hi Bill!

It's already one month ago that we left California and we really miss it! We miss the beautiful weather, the coast and especially the Californian people! And of course we miss Albie!

We hope you are all doing great, are you still so very busy? Or has the time arrive that you can spend some days at the beach yourself?

Do give our greetings to everyone!

In Holland it's raining all the time, but Yuri's going to work in Monaco for a few weeks and the weather will be probably better out there. Sammie and Diede are busy doing their school at the moment, and they hope they can return to California as soon as they pass their exam (in 3 years)...

Bye,

Edith, Yuri, Sammie and Diede

 Traveling the Cali coast in Albie.

 Yuri wins surf competition at San Onofre's Big Wednesday!

 

New friends made at Big Wednesday :)

The Long and Winding Road (not so much)

Rien and Sarah just sent a batch of photos to us all the way from Holland, and I must say they are outstanding! I think this particular photo was taken near Death Valley... not the place you'd want to travel to at the moment, seeing it's summer and all, but the perfect destination in our 'off season' here in Southern California.

Rien owns his own vintage rental business back home in Holland called Vintage Road Trips.

Found Object :: Precious Artwork

Happy Father's Day Dad, from Chloe!

We will make sure this finds it's way back to you Dad :)

Phineas Flynn leaves a note...

I was cleaning the Kukui Nut yesterday and came across this thank you note tucked inside one of the storage cabinets. This is the kind of thing that makes this business so special - meeting all the interesting people that rent from us, and knowing that they've had a blast!

Cheese from Holland :: YUM!

Thank you Rien and Sarah for the package that arrived recently, and all the way from Holland. The cheese was fabulous! We thoroughly enjoyed meeting you both and sharing rental stories. Can't wait to rent a CV2 from you at Vintage Road Trips and explore your homeland someday soon!

A Video from Sebastian

I hope whatever is being said/sung here isn't offensive... the first word isn't pretty, but the imagery is!

California as Seen From a 1979 VW Camper Bus

Hi Bill,

It's Kim (of Kim, David Elliot and Sophie). We rented Honu Li'u for two
weeks in July. We LOVED our trip and working with you.

I'm a photographer, and finally posted pictures of our trip on our blog (and
your van of course...in fact....there may be more pictures of the van than
my children from that vacation :).

Here's my link:
http://silverboxblog.com/california-as-seen-from-a-1979-vw-camper-van/

Cheers,
Kim

Thanks Kim, these are awesome photos! Absolutely gorgeous! We think they totally capture the essence of the California coastline and what it might be like to explore it as a family in a VW camper bus. We hope you come back for a return visit sometime soon and enjoy our coast again!

Best,
Bill & Diane

Christmas Camping in Southern California :: Joshua Tree, Salvation Mountain, Salton Sea Hot Springs, Death Valley

A picture review of Gina, Jay and the kids' Christmas in the deserts of Southern California!

First night and second nights in Joshua Tree.

 A night in Salton Sea Hot Springs and Salvation Mountain the next day.

 A van meet-up! The folks in the green van were Jacques and his daughter from Paris, France.

The next campground was Mojave Hole in the Wall and the one after that is at a Mojave roadside pull off on Christmas eve/morning - the bobcat was from the Sony Bono wildlife refuge at Salton Sea  and if you look closely, you can see those little red stars adorning the baby Joshua Tree in our Christmas morning photo.  oh - the one with us eating the box of candy is in Mojave hole in the wall.

 Back at Mojave at sunrise... all but Jay were asleep.

 Scorpion found at Tecopa

 Death Valley

We love to hear about your adventures and see things through your eyes!
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gina, Jay and kids!

Thanks for the thanks Scott & Meredith!

Thanks for the thanks Heidi!

Rare sighting! California Bus Company mug seen in England!

Dear Bill and Diane,

Thought you'd enjoy this photo from along the Thames River yesterday as I walked our dog.

Hope you both are well!

Cheers,
Keith

Keith, next time send along a picture of the Queen holding the mug so that we know for sure that it's England ;)

DeStefano Wedding

Hi Bill,

Bryant and I just wanted to thank you again for letting us borrow Albie during our wedding and honeymoon. It was definitely a creative alternative to a limo for the wedding and made for perfect lodging on our honeymoon up the coast. The pictures and stories are priceless!

Attached are a few photos.

Thanks Again,

Jessica and Bryant DeStefano

Martina's mom arrives from Switzerland, they rent Kukui Nut and travel to Zion and Lake Powell...

Hey Bill,

Just wanted to thank you again for the great service, support & the entire "Kukui" experience (funny, my mom couldn't pronounce that so she called him "Cookie" during the entire trip;)

Let me know if you ever need a 'happy client testimony' - will sure promote you guys among the people I know!;)

Attached some picts from Zion & Lake Powell...

I'll definitely contact you if we need help finding one to buy or need a rental for our next trip!

Mahalo & enjoy life (I really like your tagline;)

Martina

VDub Coastal Convoy :: Big Sur

This is what happens when folks choose a 'one-way' rental... buses need to make their way home again. So after the Philip Morris Contest Winners finished up their journey in SFO, Bill, Diane and Kev hopped on a quick flight to The City by the Bay, picked up the VDubs and headed south back to LA. The trip this time was a little different in that we chose to cruise via Big Sur. Whew, so many up and downs, backs and forths... BUT the view from a VW Bay Window bus remains unsurpassed!

Plenty of winks and nods from folks when there are 3 of 'em in a row!

Contest Winners from Germany WIN 7 Days in a VW Bus!

6 Philip Morris contest winners were flown over from Germany and met in Huntington Beach this past August. They weren't quite sure what they were in for, but after breakfast during their first morning on U.S. soil (sand actually) they were surprised with 3 of our buses, chalk full of goodies and ready to roll up the coast to San Francisco. Not only did they get to live the dream, they had a surf themed itinerary lined up for the duration of their coastal cruise.

Intrepid Traveler Fran :: Australia

This young lady is traveling about our continent on an extended stay... hmmm, think she said 3 months or so? Anyhow, we're honored that Fran's chosen to cruise the coast in one of our buses!

Here's to a sensational adventure Fran along our breathtaking coastline!