Thinking about hiring a VW California for the ultimate staycation holiday? Our VW California hire directory is what you need.
Whether you’re considering buying one of these brilliant campervans or just want to enjoy a camping holiday in comfort and style, you’re in the right place.
We’ve put together this handy directory of VW California rental companies by UK region, and listed which vehicle models they hire. We hope you find it useful.
- VW California Hire – Scotland
- VW California Hire – Yorkshire and North-West UK
- VW California Hire – East and West Midlands, UK
- VW California Hire – South East UK
- VW California Hire – South West UK & Wales
- Why hire a VW California?
- VW California Ocean v Coast v Beach
- VW Grand California
- Try before you buy
- Other VW California rental firms?
VW California Hire – Scotland
| Hire Company | Locations | Postcode Area | California Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Scotland | Leadburn nr Edinburgh | EH46 | VW California Ocean |
| Cheeky CooCampervans | Hamilton | ML3 | VW California Ocean |
| Clarkies Campers | Edinburgh, Aberdeen | EH25 9SL AB21 7GQ | VW California Ocean |
| Cool Campervan Hire Scotland | Cumbernauld (other collection options) | G67 2XX | VW California Ocean |
| Easi Campervan Hire | Edinburgh | EH28 8PJ | VW California Ocean |
| Four Seasons Campers | Loch Lomond | G83 9LX | VW California Ocean, VW California Coast |
| Kombi Campers | Paisley | PA3 1QT | VW California Ocean |
| Mountain Campers | Inverness | IV2 6YP | VW California Ocean |
| Stoney Campers | Aberdeen | AB39 | VW California Ocean |
| VW Camperhire Scotland | Edinburgh | VW California Ocean |
VW California Hire – Yorkshire and North-West UK
| Hire Company | Locations | Postcode Area | California Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easi Campervan Hire | Manchester, Liverpool, Wigan, Preston, Blackburn | VW California Ocean | |
| EV Motorhome Hire | Penrith | VW California Ocean | |
| Hiders Seekers | Doncaster | VW California Ocean | |
| Leighton Camper Hire | Rotherham nr Sheffield | S60 1BX | VW California Ocean |
| Liberty Campers | Ilkley nr Leeds/Bradford | VW California Coast |
VW California Hire – East and West Midlands, UK
| Hire Company | Locations | Postcode Areas | California Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easi Campervan Hire | Wolverhampton, Birmingham | VW California Ocean | |
| Fernwhe Campervan Hire | Woodhouse Eaves, Loughborough | LE12 | VW California Ocean |
| My California | Leicester, Kettering | LE1 3EA NN15 6XY | VW California SE, VW California Beach |
| VanGlorious | Redmile, Leicestershire | NG13 | VW California Ocean |
VW California Hire – South East UK
| Hire Company | Locations | Postcode Area | California Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aktive Kampers | Wilmington | BN26 | VW California Ocean |
| BMVS | Bognor Regis, Chichester | PO22 9RT, PO19 7TF | VW California Ocean |
| Campervantastic | Forest Hill, London | SE23 1BX | VW California Ocean, VW California Beach, VW Grand California |
| Explore Campervans | Tingewick, Buckingham | MK18 4BD | VW California Ocean |
| Kamperhire | Bishops Waltham (other collection options) | SO32 1FB | VW California Ocean, VW California Coast |
| LandCruise | Chichester | PO20 2BX | VW California Ocean |
| Loko Campers | Guildford | GU2 7RZ | VW California Ocean, VW California Beach |
| Ocean Mist Campers | Liss | GU33 6HA | VW California Ocean |
| Southampton Campers | Southampton | SO16 8LS | VW California Ocean, VW Grand California |
| Turtle Vans | Milton Keynes | MK1 1DB | VW California Ocean |
| VW California 4 Hire | Brighton, Bexley Heath | VW California Ocean |
VW California Hire – South West UK & Wales
| Hire Company | Locations | Postcode Area | California Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathwick Car and Van Hire | Chippenham | SN14 0AB | VW California Ocean |
| California Camper | Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol | BS9 3JT | VW California Ocean |
| Chief Motorhome Hire | Paignton | TQ4 5EF | VW California Ocean |
| Call Campervan Hire | Ringwood | BH24 3SB | VW California Ocean |
| Crawford Motorhome Hire | Maidenhead | SL6 3TE | VW California Ocean |
| Go Mushroom | Ardudwy, Gwynedd | LL44 2EA | VW California Ocean |
| Heritage Automotive | Salisbury | SP2 7QD | VW California Ocean |
| North Devon Camper Hire | East Budleigh | EX9 7DT | VW California Ocean |
| O’Connors Campers | Okehampton | EX20 1SP | VW California Ocean |
| Sunkissed Campervan Hire | Bristol | BS31 2ED | VW California Ocean |
| VW Kamperhire | Sidmouth | EX10 0NJ | VW California Ocean |
Why hire a VW California?
The VW California campervan is Volkswagen’s answer to a factory-built motorhome.
Actually, VW have made the California (affectionately known as the Cali) in various forms for over 30 years.
VW California models – comparison
The VW California is produced in four models to suit needs and budget. This table outlines their key differences:
| Model | Berths | Seats | Built in Kitchen | Toilet & Shower |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean | 4 | 4 | Y | N |
| Beach | 4 | 4 or 5 | N* | N |
| Coast | 4 | 4 | Y | N |
| Grand California ** | 2 | 4 | Y | Y |
* The 4-seater California Beach T6.1 model has a pop-out kitchen.
** The Grand California 600 has two adult-sized berths and above cab sleeping for two small children. The rear seats for two extra people are narrow but suitable for children.
VW California benefits
Hiring a genuine VW California will give you luxury and attention to detail you won’t find in a campervan conversion.
The key benefits are:
- Not too big, not too small. The VW California is similar in size to a standard large family car. No restrictions when parking. Big enough to carry gear for four people for a trip away.
- Innovative design. The VW California delivers the very best ways to maximise space, comfort and practicality.
- Highest safety standards.
- A campervan that drives like a car. You’ll notice little difference between the handling of a VW California and a standard car. It’s effortless to drive.
- Latest Bluemotion technology for great fuel economy.
- Leisure batteries to keep you powered for several days off electric hook up.
- 240V sockets for electric hook up.
- On-board heating, so the VW California can be used year-round.
- Cleverly built-in outdoor table and chairs.
VW California Ocean v Coast v Beach
Aside from the berths and seatbelted positions, what are the main differences between the VW California Ocean, Coast and Beach?
As you might imagine, they are the Gold, Silver, and Bronze offering of the Volkswagen California campervan fleet. Actually, make that Platinum, Gold, and Silver – they are all great vehicles.
The VW California Ocean has the most to offer, followed by the Coast and then the Beach.
Outside of seats, storage and kitchen detailed above, these are the main differences:
| California Model | Elevating Roof Mechanism | Wheel Size | Engine Size | Discover Media Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean | Electronic | 17” | 150 or 204bhp | Included |
| Coast | Manual | 16” | 150bhp | Extra |
| Beach | Manual | 17” | 148bhp | Extra |
The VW California Ocean and the Coast have the same kitchen and wardrobe storage options. The Beach has no kitchen or rear storage options, although the T6.1 Beach four-seat option does have a pop-out kitchen in the living area.
It should be noted that the VW California Beach has a fixed built-in shelf in the tailgate of the campervan, which comprises part of the rock n roll bed. This can be removed in the other VW California models to have a large boot space. This makes the rear boot space of the Beach slightly more restrictive.
This same shelf in the VW California Coast can tilt upwards to provide you with a reclined seated position. Great if you want to sit up in bed and have a coffee with your legs extended. The VW California Ocean and Beach do not have this feature.
The VW California Beach has the widest bed of the range – 150cm wide by 200cm long. It is the same size as a UK King bed (although the VW Grand California 680 model has an even wider 167cm lower bed).
Campervan hire companies who supply a VW California Beach model without the pop-out kitchen, may well offer a portable kitchen unit as part of the hire, to be used outside of the van.
VW Grand California
The VW Grand California is the true motorhome of the fleet. That is to say, it has all the facilities on board for you to be self-sufficient.
The VW Grand California 600 model officially berths four but is limited. The over-cab bed is short and can’t take a lot of weight so is only suitable for small children.
The same is true of the rear two seatbelted seats. They are narrow and would be uncomfortable on a long journey for two adults.
Like the Ocean and the Coast, the Grand California has a built-in kitchen, comprising two gas rings, a fridge and a sink. It is the only vehicle in the VW California fleet to have a wet room on board with a shower and toilet inside.
As can be seen in our VW California hire directory, there are only two hiring companies that currently offer Grand California hire, both in the South East UK region.
Try before you buy
If you are thinking about purchasing a VW California, it is a great idea to try before you buy.
Spending a few nights in a campervan might help you decide exactly what model you need, potentially saving you thousands of pounds or regrets in the long run. Or it may convince you that a VW California is the way to go, as it did for us.
Other VW California rental firms?
We’ve tried to be as comprehensive as possible but may have overlooked some companies that rent out VW California campervans.
If you know any other VW California hirers we should showcase in our directory, please do contact us with the details.