Basking on the western US coast, California has it all — from picturesque beaches and unique deserts to towering mountains and dense forests. You can visit iconic places and landmarks, such as Yosemite National Park, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Golden Gate Bridge, Death Valley, or Lake Tahoe. And one of the best ways to soak in this untamed beauty is to stay at one of the best long-term RV parks in California.
Read on to find out about the eight best long-term RV parks in the California Golden State that allow you to live in your RV on their property for a month, a season, a year, or more. You’ll also find helpful information, such as each park’s Google ratings, location, number of sites, and their rates.
Bakersfield River Run RV Park
- Location: Bakersfield
- Google Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 665 reviews
- RV Sites: 123
- Rates: $40 to $50 nightly and $590 to $740 per month + electricity
When you decide to put down roots and stay for a while in California, Bakersfield River Run RV Park is one of the first places you should consider. This resort-style retreat rolls out the red carpet for long-term campers and has enticing amenities to keep you in high spirits. It has full hookups, concrete patios, grassy areas, 60-channel cable TV, and WiFi.
RV sites are up to 200′ in length level and feature a mix of pull-thru and back-in options. Additionally, the roads are paved. One stunning highlight of the park is the clubhouse with a pool, spa, exercise room, and a large recreation room with a TV. Other amenities include a kitchen, BBQ facilities, a dump station, two laundry facilities, shower buildings, and diesel, gas, and propane sales.
Emerald Desert RV Resort
- Location: Palm Desert
- Google Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 stars from 409 reviews
- RV Sites: 165
- Rates: $55 to $110 per night with discounts for long-term campers
In the heart of the Coachella Valley, you’ll find the fabulous Emerald Desert RV Resort. It offers a diverse array of amenities and activities to make your stay memorable. Top features include a well-equipped gym, 8 pickleball courts, a tennis court, an adult heated pool and a hot tub, a putting green, a ballroom, a billiard room, two club rooms, and three fenced-in dog parks.
You can rent BBQ grills and cabanas, catch your favorite show using cable TV, and stay connected with free WiFi. When you’re away for a while, there’s climate-controlled RV storage. Campsites range from spots with full utilities to dry RV camping sites. You can explore the 100+ acres of lush desert landscape surrounding the park, visit local attractions like the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, or discover the dining scene at El Paseo Shopping District.
Gold Country Campground Resort
- Location: Pine Grove
- Google Ratings: 4.2 out of 5 stars from 300 reviews
- RV Sites: 151
- Rates: $80 to $99 per night and $825 per month
If you’ve traded in your bricks and sticks home for a mobile one and want to remain stationary at a campground for months, direct your RV to Gold Country Campground Resort. This park lies in the Sierra Mountain foothills and offers a tranquil environment to set up your rig indefinitely. You’ll love the pristine mountain air, the area’s wine country, skiing opportunities at the nearby Kirkwood Ski Resort, plus exploring gold mines and caves.
On-site, this getaway has 46 acres, complete with nature trails and wildlife, a pool, splash park, mini-golf, a basketball court, yard games, a game room, and a dog park. Campers value the full-hookup sites (30/50 amp), that are big-rig friendly and equipped with WiFi and cable. You’ll also appreciate the clean showers and restrooms, dump station, coin-operated laundry, and convenience store.
Coyote Valley RV Resort
- Location: San Jose
- Google Ratings: 4.2 out of 5 stars from 270 reviews
- RV Sites: 127
- Rates: $75 to $106 per night and $2,390 to $2,570 + tax
Rated among the 30 best RV parks nationwide by Good Sam Club in 2022, you can expect Coyote Valley RV Resort to offer world-class accommodations during short- and long-term stays. This deluxe oasis is situated in a magnificent valley setting and provides easy access to everything in the San Francisco Bay Area, making it an ideal location. Guests are delighted by the area’s walking, running, and biking trails, beautiful surrounding hills, rivers, and bird estuaries.
More outdoor activities include biking, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, or boating on their local reservoir. Some premium amenities include deluxe sites with 20/30/50/100 Amps, free WiFi, and satellite TV. More upscale facilities are a heated pool, a fitness center, a pet park, golf courses, outdoor games, a pavilion, a private patio, and a clubhouse with an entertainment center. Guests also enjoy free coffee all day.
Circle RV Resort
- Location: El Cajon
- Google Ratings: 4.1 out of 5 stars from 227 reviews
- RV Sites: 165
- Rates: $55 to $90 per night with discounts for long-term campers
Another of the best long-term California RV parks for extended stays is Circle RV Resort. This getaway allows you to settle on its property for up to 6 months. To keep you relaxed and comfortable, it has all the amenities you need so you never miss home. They have a heated pool and spa, a fitness center, a library, a billiards room, and pet-friendly areas.
You’ll also have clean bathrooms with spacious showers, modern laundry facilities, lush landscaping, WiFi, and RV storage. The RV sites are spacious, level, and equipped with full hookups and cable TV. For activities, you’ll have easy access to Sea World, Coronado Island, USS Midway Museum, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, and the beautiful beaches of Coronado Island, which are a great spot for relaxing.
Flag City RV Resort
- Location: Lodi
- Google Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 stars from 814 reviews
- RV Sites: 180
- Rates: $50 to $85 daily, $475 weekly, and $900 bi-weekly
Situated on the edge of Lodi Wine Country, Flag City RV Resort welcomes extended-stay guests. It is one of the best long-term RV parks in California that you can consider. This escape has consistently received excellent ratings from Good Sam, has reasonable rates, friendly hosts, and is close to wine-tasting opportunities. The property is designed with the big-rig RVs in mind, so you can expect wide paved roads, as well as spacious concrete pads.
Expect full hookups, picnic tables, WiFi, cable, sparkling restrooms and showers, and three laundry facilities. You’ll also be delighted to find a heated pool, a spa, a convenience store, 24-hour security, a propane station, a book exchange, a 2,100-square-foot clubhouse, and a 2.6-acre fenced pet run. The park is minutes from Lodi Lake and just 5 miles from the Sacramento River Delta, where you’ll find over 1000 miles of navigable waterways for water sports.
Trinidad Extended Stay RV
- Location: Trinidad
- Google Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars from 35 reviews
- RV Sites: 53
- Rates: $500 to $750 per month
If you’re looking for an RV park that only welcomes long-term residents, pilot your wheeled home to Trinidad Extended Stay RV. This retreat has plenty of space to pull in your rig and kick up your feet, as well as facilities to ensure you never miss home. Expect high-speed internet, a state-of-the-art water and septic system, laundry facilities, a propane dispenser, a patio area, and an enclosed dog park.
Moreover, you’ll be less than 5 minutes away from great shopping and an amazing dining scene right on the beach. To park in this quiet and friendly community, the minimum you can stay is one month, your RV must be in excellent shape, and you will be required to produce proof of income.
Ventura Ranch KOA Holiday
- Location: Santa Paula
- Google Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 stars from 466 reviews
- RV Sites: 165
- Rates: $75 to $100 per night with discounts for long-term campers
Lying at the foot of Ventura County’s highest mountain, Ventura Ranch KOA Holiday is a 76-acre campground that raises the standards of outdoor hospitality. This park hosts RV and tent campers and also unique accommodations such as teepees, safari tents, cabins, and Conestoga wagons.
Kids will love arts and crafts, a jumping pillow, a playground area, a rock climbing tower, gem mining, or splashing in the pool. There’s also a creek on the property. Other amenities include full and partial hookups, a dump station, bathrooms/showers, a pavilion, a clubhouse, propane, a dog park, WiFi, a zip line, ropes/obstacle course, nature trails, and firewood for sale. You’ll also absolutely love the area’s wildlife, clear star-lit nights, mountain views, and scenic byway.
FAQs
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about long-term RV parks in California.
Why Choose a Long-Term RV Park in California?
Many commercial RV parks have a maximum stay of four weeks, while public campgrounds only allow a 14-day stay. Hoping from one place to the other can get old pretty fast. Plus, securing a decent campsite on short notice is pretty tough. Additionally, short-term stays are pretty expensive as you’re charged per night.
With a long-term RV park in California, you can stay in one area for as long as you like, which is great for people who want to tour extensively at a slower pace or those who prefer to live full-time in their RV at a campground.. Contractors that move somewhere and live there for several months also appreciate this option as it puts them closer to their new workplace and is more flexible compared to renting an apartment.
Some weekenders also book long-term sites and park their RVs there for an entire season so they can escape to the campground on weekends or holidays. This eliminates the hassle of having to pack and drive your RV every time. Compared to short-term guests, long-term campers are given amazing discounts, which allow substantial savings.
Along with Virginia and Washington, California is ranked as one of the best states for full-time RV living. Winter in the Golden State is pleasant and mild, making it an attractive option for snowbirds. Plus, the nine national parks and 280 state parks mean you could spend an entire year here and not run out of great places to explore.
Kickback and Relax at California’s Long-Term RV Parks
If you’re a seasonal contractor with a new job in California or you’re just taking several months off to embrace the Golden State’s astonishing beauty from the comfort of your wheeled home, there are plenty of long-term RV parks in California that will welcome you with open arms. Just make sure you call ahead and book your site a few months in advance, as long-term spots are rare to find.
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About the author:
Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.
The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.