The Great White Van
This is our little van, we chose it because it's small and stealthy. It is a 1994 Ford E-150 van. We painted it like a great white shark & named it the great white. We've taken it on many adventures across the United States including the California and Oregon coastlines, the Mighty 5 Utah National Parks, through Idaho, all over Colorado, and through the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree National Parks. We also have lots of new trips in the books, so keep an eye out!
Inside the Great White (Our Build)
These are a couple pictures of the inside of our van. I have a blog post talking about everything there is to know about our build, but here's a quick snapshot. We have a bed in the back, a cozy bench, a nightstand, a table for our fridge, and a shelf cabinet to hold all our kitchen stuff and food.
Here's a better look at our kitchen/food cabinet!
BIG SUR - A Nomad’s Van Life Guide
Intro :)
Big Sur, California is a great place to visit while living in your van! The coastline is absolutely insane, covered in beautiful beaches, cliffs, and waterfalls. It is one of the most gorgeous areas in the US by far. There are also some precautions to take while in Big Sur specifically when it comes to strict van life policies, so stay tuned in for that!
Restrooms, Gyms, & Water
One very overlooked obstacle with van living is water and restrooms. Some people don’t have running water (like me!) in their vans, so these are hacks for you! There is definitely still relevant information for those who do have water, so keep reading!
Restrooms
Finding public restrooms can be a struggle sometimes! Big Sur isn’t too hard, though! There are public restrooms in Morro Bay and Monterey at every major beach park, Morro Rock, Lovers Point, or Cannery Row. If you need a bathroom while visiting Big Sur, there are restrooms available at Ragged Point, or you’ll have to use them at state parks (paid entry)!
Gyms & Water
There are lots of gyms to choose from in the areas surrounding Big Sur! You can go to Monterey Rec Centers for day passes, or if you’re like us, you can go to a gym with your membership. We had a membership with Anytime Fitness, and we chose to use the ones in both Morro Bay and Monterey while in the Big Sur area. Both gyms, along with Anytime Fitness memberships are great!
Where to Sleep
I’m sure this is why a lot of you are here - where do you sleep in Big Sur?
I can’t give out exact locations because they could get overrun and it could get ruined for everyone, so here’s the techniques I use in Big Sur for finding places to sleep.
Parking Lot Sleeping & Camping
Big Sur is a little harder than most to find places to sleep, as there aren’t really any towns, and there’s signs at most pull-offs for ‘no overnight parking or camping.’ I would stay out of super popular areas when sleeping at night because of the risk of people calling you in or seeing you more frequently. Here’s my tips for finding good spots to sleep!
- I would sleep in either Morro Bay or Monterey, places along the Big Sur Coast are few and far between, and are patrolled more strictly.
- Make sure to read all signs, sometimes you can get away with a night.
- iOverlander has lots of ideas lined up for you, then you can investigate yourself and check out the signs. Look for newer additions on the iOverlander posts. Stay away if the last person to comment was over 2 years ago.
- There are some lots that actually allow you to sleep there, iOverlander will have some, and you can look for other vans at night and do what they do!
- If staying at a pull-off, hide yourself as well as you can. They’re much less likely to mess with you if you’re tucked away. Behind trees, against the forest, or out of the main line of vision are great things to do!
It seems daunting to find camping, but Big Sur is full of great pull-offs and parking areas, so you will be completely fine! **** When in doubt, head to Morro Bay or Monterey to pull off some street or overnight lot parking (24hr businesses, places with overnight workers, street parking-not directly in front of someone's house)!
Affordable Grocery Shopping
If you’re doing van life on a budget, you will need ways to find cheap groceries in the Big Sur area! There are lots of options to choose from, but the more affordable options are typically Ralph’s, Trader Joes, Grocery Outlet, and an occasional Dollar Tree stop! The best we found were Trader Joe's & Safeway in Monterey. Even with these stores being the most affordable, here’s some tips to keep costs low!
- Waking up early to get sale meat from grocery stores (they put meat and cheese on sale that’s closer to expiration at most stores, we got 3 lbs of beef for $5 once!)
- Buying the same foods every time! You will save tons by buying the same foods because there won’t be much fluctuation in your spending. This way you can continue to buy the same inexpensive foods and perfect your budget!
- Checking the sale aisles in every store. They often have baked goods on sale in the corners of grocery stores which can be a total blessing!
If you’re not this tight on budget, they’re still good hacks to keep in mind! Using these hacks, Daniel and I spent less than $4k each in 7 months of van life.
Places to Hang Out
If you’ve ever lived in a van, you know how hard it can be to find places to just hang out sometimes. Lucky for you, there are lots of good spots in the Big Sur area! Here’s some of the best options (that don’t have pay-parking)! (BR= Bathrooms)
- All viewpoints and pull-offs along the Big Sur Coastline
- Ragged Point Natural Area (BR)
- Beach Parks in Morro Bay & Monterey - Morro Rock, Lovers Point, etc. (BR)
- All trailheads along the Big Sur Coastline (BR if in State Parks)
No matter where you go in the areas near Big Sur, you’ll find plenty of spots to hang out along the coastline! The communities are very lenient to you parking everywhere as long as you’re respectful! You can also park at Grocery Store lots in town if scenery isn’t important, they have bathrooms!
Overview
I hope that I was able to provide you with everything you need for your trip to Big Sur! It is my passion to make sure everyone can create affordable and memorable trips. The goal is to keep costs low enough to go on excursions more often!
I hope that this guide was able to clear up some of the stress that van living can cause! iOverlander will be your best friend and you’ll catch on to the coastal small-town vibes super fast!
Please remember to keep Big Sur beautiful! Be an amazing guest to the coolest and prettiest coastline ever.
I think you’re all the coolest people ever for living in your van or wanting to! Don’t let anything get you down! Best of luck!
-Cali :)
Joshua Tree - A Nomad’s Van Life Guide
Intro :)
Joshua Tree is one of the most unique places to stay while living in your van! From the diverse landscapes to the abundant camping scene. It also happens to be a very easy place to do van life. There are lots of amenities and places to stay! When it comes to van life, there are a lot of everyday tasks that become harder. This guide is crafted to help you find solutions to those tasks and enjoy your time in the desert! Here’s everything I know after living in Joshua Tree in my van for a week!
Restrooms, Gyms, & Water
One very overlooked obstacle with van living is water and restrooms. Some people don’t have running water (like me!) in their vans, so these are hacks for you! There is definitely still relevant information for those who do have water, so keep reading!
Restrooms
Finding public restrooms can be a struggle sometimes! However, in Joshua Tree, trailhead lots will be your best friend (specifically in the national park). You can find bathrooms at most hiking trailheads throughout the park. Sportsman Park, downtown Joshua Tree also has public restrooms. Because you’re in the desert (and camping is usually pretty far from civilization) I would highly recommend bringing a foldable toilet and trash bags. You can dispose of them later on, and this way you don’t have to worry about restrooms. If you’re planning on relieving yourself in nature, please be very vigilant of where is appropriate and where isn’t.
Gyms & Water
Depending on how long you’re staying in Joshua Tree, there are a few gyms nearby, but I wouldn't recommend them if you’re just staying for a few days. When it comes to showers, the best thing I could track down is the Palm Springs Joshua Tree KOA, which is pretty far out of the way. I would highly recommend bringing a camp shower to Joshua Tree, as the amenities are much more scarce. Definitely bring lots of drinking water too, but there is a Stater Bros and a Vons if you need to replenish water!
Where to Sleep
I’m sure this is why a lot of you are here - where do you sleep in Joshua Tree?
I can’t give out exact locations because they could get overrun and it could get ruined for everyone, so here’s the techniques I use in Joshua Tree for finding places to sleep.
Camping & Nature Sleeping
Because Joshua Tree is vast and full of dirt roads, camping is very easy! Here’s my tips for finding spots to sleep in nature in Joshua Tree!
Dirt roads are great, but you have to be very careful!
- Make sure to read all signs, sometimes you can get away with a night.
- Check out dirt roads and secluded areas on Google Maps first. You can find all sorts of treasures and secret spots. Pro tip: look for spots with fire rings or cars camping at them on the satellite of Google Maps.
- Dispersed camping areas included North Joshua Tree BLM and lots of BLM roads along the 62 by Joshua Tree - these are great areas to sleep that are completely legal!
It seems daunting to find camping, but Joshua Tree is FULL of dispersed legal camping, so you will be completely fine! Not only that, but the camping is gorgeous no matter where you go. Joshua Tree is very van life friendly, and you’ll love it!
Affordable Grocery Shopping
If you’re doing van life on a budget, you will need ways to find cheap groceries in Joshua Tree! Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley only have two grocery stores: a Stater Bros and a Vons. They also have a Walmart Supercenter, which is where we find our best deals on groceries. The prices are reasonable at all options, but here’s a few tips for staying in-budget!
- Waking up early to get sale meat from grocery stores (they put meat and cheese on sale that’s closer to expiration at most stores, we got 3 lbs of beef for $5 once!)
- Buying the same foods every time! You will save tons by buying the same foods because there won’t be much fluctuation in your spending. This way you can continue to buy the same inexpensive foods and perfect your budget!
- Checking the sale aisles in every store. They often have baked goods on sale in the corners of grocery stores which can be a total blessing!
If you’re not this tight on budget, they’re still good hacks to keep in mind! Using these hacks, Daniel and I spent less than $4k each in 7 months of van life.
Places to Hang Out
If you’ve ever lived in a van, you know how hard it can be to find places to just hang out sometimes. Lucky for you, everywhere works in Joshua Tree! Any of the trailheads in the park that have public restrooms also usually have great parking lots to hang out in! Here’s some of the more chill places to park and hang out in Joshua Tree!
- Coyote Lake BLM land (probably no service)
- Sportsman Park, downtown Joshua Tree (has service & restrooms)
- Dollar General, Walmart, & grocery store lots (has service)
- Nancy Karl Trailhead (maybe has service)
- All trailheads and lots in Joshua Tree National Park (usually no service)
America the Beautiful Pass
If you’ve ever been to a National Park, you know how expensive the entrance fees can be. Joshua Tree is $30 to enter. If you go to just Joshua Tree 3 times, you already spent $90. An America the Beautiful pass is $80, and includes you and three other people (or a car) for free at every National Park and Monument for a year. I can’t go to a National Park without buying one now. It saves so much money and it’s good for an entire year of adventures! In the year we had our first pass we went to Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, Redwoods, Craters of the Moon NM, Arches (again), Grand Teton, Gateway Arch, Arches (again), Canyonlands (again), Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. On top of those, we also got lots of parking for free at different government trailheads. It saves you so much on adventures in the United States! You can buy one when you’re entering most of the National Parks, I’ve bought mine at Arches!
Overview
I hope that I was able to provide you with everything you need for your trip to Joshua Tree! It is my passion to make sure everyone can create affordable and memorable trips. The goal is to keep costs low enough to go on excursions more often!
I hope that this guide was able to clear up some of the stress that van living can cause! Joshua Tree is an amazing place to do this because of all the open land and crazy landscapes! iOverlander will be your best friend and you’ll catch on to the desert town vibes super fast!
Please remember to keep Joshua Tree beautiful! Leave no trace, dispose of trash in trash cans, be vigilant of where you go to the bathrooms, be safe with fires, and anything else that is beneficial to the desert! Be an amazing guest to the coolest little town ever.
I think you’re all the coolest people ever for living in your van or wanting to! Don’t let anything get you down! Best of luck!
-Cali :)
Van-life State of the Month: ~•UTAH•~
Exploring the Beauty of Southern Utah
Southern Utah is absolutely charming, from its colorful cliffs to its abundant wildlife. Camping and exploring in Southern Utah is a one-of-a-kind experience. I recommend checking out this area of the United States by dispersed camping. Being one with the landscape fits so well in the atmosphere of the red desert.
Finding Peace in the Canyon of Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks
Zion National Park is astonishing. You will find a piece of yourself that you didn't know was missing. There are countless hikes and adventures to go on in Zion, and I know you'll have the best time. The same goes for Bryce Canyon. You'll be in awe of the insane landscape that is Bryce. The orange hoodoos and the beautiful pathways make for an adventure.
Discovering the Hidden Gems of the Desert
Besides National Parks and popular locations, there are lots of hidden gems waiting for you. They wouldn't be hidden gems if they were all over the internet, but I promise you they're out there. There are hot springs, waterfalls, caves, and so much more that you can find. Google Maps is your best friend. Create yourself an adventure & go treasure hunting for beautiful views!
Adventures in Moab
Moab is a very popular destination in Utah, and for good reason. It is a hub for all sorts of adventure. You can off-road, bike ride, check out national parks, hike, go rafting, go skydiving, go base jumping, and so much more.
Exploring the Beauty of Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City has a lot of little gems. Antelope Island is one of them. Here you'll have a beautiful view of the mountains behind the Great Salt Lake, and will have a chance at seeing beautiful wildlife. The mountains that sit behind Salt Lake City are breathtaking, and you have to check them out!
Vanlife Products for your Build (with amazon links)
Zinus Memory Foam Mattress
We used a memory foam mattress from Zinus for our van! It's so cozy and it fit perfectly. We have had some of the best sleep of our lives on this mattress! 6 inches is great for low top vans, and it has been plenty! If you need to cut your mattress slightly to fit around curves in our van, make sure to sew the cover back together to avoid getting water on the memory foam.
Renogy Solar Kit
When it comes to implementing solar into your build, Renogy is the way to go! We have Renogy and it has been nothing but amazing! This kit is exactly what we purchased and we lived off of it with no issues. It's also very easy to set up! The batteries will need to be bought separately! (I linked one below!) Batteries are very expensive, but they're the most important part of your system.
A Camping Shower - Geyser
My first experience with vanlife would've been much smoother with a Geyser washer. It is a camp shower that you can also clean dishes (and anything else) with. It has a sponge attachment and it is heated. This thing is crazy cool! If you're not into washing your dishes with wet paper towels, this thing is for you! Not to mention WARM showers when camping!
Camping Stove - Eureka! SPRK
This is the stove that we have used every time we travel in our van (or at all) and we LOVE it! It uses butane fuel, which we chose because it is slightly cheaper and is less toxic. The toxicity level is important for when you're cooking in more enclosed spaces (please have a door or window open when cooking in your van). This stove stores nicely and has worked perfectly for us!
& For Our Battery: https://amzn.to/3tFQWbA
& For Our Battery: https://amzn.to/3tFQWbA
& For Our Battery: https://amzn.to/3tFQWbA
& For Our Battery: https://amzn.to/3tFQWbA
& For Our Battery: https://amzn.to/3tFQWbA
& For Our Battery: https://amzn.to/3tFQWbA
& For Our Battery: https://amzn.to/3tFQWbA
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Some of Our Favorite Vanlife Photos
