Hey there! My name is Bert, and I live in beautiful Southern California and travel almost full-time in my self-built Ford Transit 250 van named Ernie. Like most van lifers, I got tired of the 9-5 lifestyle and decided to hit the road to see what the country had to offer. I’ve traveled mostly up and down the west coast from Canada to Baja and had wonderful adventures along the way while meeting some of the most amazing people on the road. I’m using SoCalVanLife.com to document my adventures and help fellow van lifers and travelers find the best adventures in Southern California and throughout our spectacular nation.
Top Adventures
Bridge to Nowhere
Previous Next Overview: The Bridge to Nowhere is a great hiking adventure for any van or RV nomad looking to visit a unique LA landmark
Vasquez Rocks
Overview: Vasquez Rocks is located in the high desert near Agua Dulce Springs and feature spectacular rock formations and a seasonal stream. The park is
Avila Sea Caves
Previous Next Overview Avila Sea Caves is located south of Avril Beach and is a wonderful place to park your van and spend the day
Imperial Sand Dunes
Previous Next Overview The Imperial Sand Dunes, or Glamis, as the locals call it, is worth a visit for any van or RV nomad looking
Top Blogs
Travel Diary – Summer 2022
Welcome to my summer 2022 travel blog. My goal for this blog is to capture day-to-day life on the road, from the fun adventures of hiking to waterfalls to the
Best Beachfront Parking Between LA and San Diego
Every nomad who visits Southern California wants to go to a beach where they can park their van or RV and step out directly onto the sand. This is the goal for most van and RV nomads, and they want the
Exploring the Adventurous Side of the Antelope Valley
The Antelope Valley is a wild desert oasis with fascinating wildlife, ancient artifacts, landscape, and aerospace history. It is the location where Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier and where
Top 5 Beaches to Learn to Surf in Southern California for any Van or RV Nomad
What are the Top 5 best beaches in SoCal for anyone traveling in their van or RV to learn to surf? Answer: There are many amazing beaches in Southern California,