Can I use Harvest Hosts in California during winter?

Yes — coastal, valley, and desert hosts operate year-round, and winter is peak season in the deserts. Wine country stays quieter in winter, which some members prefer: shorter tasting-room lines, easier stay requests, green hills after the rains.

Is Harvest Hosts worth it for California RV trips?

Strongly yes — California's private campgrounds are among the priciest in the nation, often $60–100+/night near the coast. A $99/year Classic membership can pay for itself in one or two nights here, faster than almost any other state.

RV Camping in California

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Winery stay at Mendocino Wine Country Estate

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California RV Camping Guide

North Coast and Wine Country

Napa and Sonoma Counties offer lively, social experiences, but don't overlook the quieter beauty of Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and Del Norte Counties. From cold-water beaches on Highway 1 and ancient redwoods to breathtaking hiking trails and one-of-a-kind farm-to-table experiences, this region has a way of stealing your heart and filling you with a renewed sense of adventure.

The Central Valley and the Sierra Nevadas

The Valley's charm leaves a lasting impression: California's Gold Country along Highway 49 mixes wineries and mining-town history through the foothills. Farm stays put you among the orchards and groves that make a wonderful stop before a full-day trek to Yosemite, Sequoia, or Kings Canyon. Park entrances limit RV length on some roads — Yosemite's Tioga Road (CA-120), Glacier Point Road, Generals Highway (Sequoia/Kings Canyon), and seasonal Sierra passes — so many members stay and support hosts outside these iconic national parks and treat the routes as requiring advance planning. Pro tip: check whether your host offers "extra nights" as a way to enjoy the parks without towing a rig.

The Central Coast

Paso Robles is one of California's most RV-friendly wine regions, with the vineyards of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara continuing south. Highway 1 through Big Sur is a true bucket-list drive, offering miles of remote coastline with little to no cell service for travelers seeking a secluded, unplugged experience. The scenery is well worth the journey, but check current road conditions and vehicle-length advisories before setting out — this stretch is remote, steep, and mountainous. For a more relaxed drive, US-101 winds through rolling hills and expansive agricultural landscapes filled with citrus groves, strawberry fields, and lettuce farms.

Southern California

From citrus groves and wineries near San Diego to high-desert stays toward Joshua Tree, SoCal hosts serve both winter sunseekers and year-round locals. Temecula wine country sits nicely off I-15, and eastbound routes continue into Arizona desert country.

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Build the wider itinerary with our must-see places in California. Crossing state lines? Browse hosts in neighboring Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona.

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When is the best time to RV camp in California?

California has no true off-season. The coast and wine country shine from April through October, while the Central Valley is especially lively from August through December, when harvest season brings some of its most festive experiences. The desert offers a cooler escape from October through April, and the Sierra is best explored from June through September, before snow closes many of the high mountain passes. Whatever the month, some corner of California is always at its best.

Is overnight RV parking legal in California?

California cities are among the strictest in the country on overnight RV parking, with widespread street bans and patrolled lots. Harvest Hosts stays remove the risk entirely: you're an invited guest on private property with the host's permission — a vineyard row instead of a tow-away zone.

How does RV camping at Harvest Hosts work in California?

Harvest Hosts is an annual membership that lets RVers stay overnight at 379 California wineries, farms, breweries, and attractions with no camping fees. Members request stays through the app, arrive in a self-contained RV, and support their hosts with a purchase such as olive oil, a wine club pickup, or a crate of just-picked citrus.

Are California's mountain and coastal roads RV-friendly?

The interstates and major US highways, yes. The famous scenic routes need a bit more research: sections of Highway 1 carry RV length advisories, Sierra passes close in winter, and national park roads can restrict longer rigs. Highway 1 through Big Sur is often not recommended for large RVs or trailers, and travelers should always check Caltrans for closures before departure. When in doubt, overnight at a host in the lowlands and make the dramatic drive in a tow vehicle.

California has 379 Harvest Hosts locations, one of the largest host networks of any state, offering overnight RV stays at wineries, farms, breweries, and attractions from the redwoods to the desert. This is a state where you can enjoy the 'peak to shore' experience by waking up at a coastal olive ranch, tasting a boutique wine in the Central Valley by afternoon, and arriving for the night in a quiet corner of the Sierra foothills. Member-favorite stops include Hillside Olive Mill Ranch Retreat, Mendocino Wine Country Estate, and Idyllic Family-Run Citrus Grove Winery — the state's three most-booked hosts. Members can choose from 73 farm stays, 113 wineries, and 14 breweries, spanning more growing regions than some entire countries.