**What a great find!** All the glowing 5-star reviews led me to check out *Vintage Safari Wagons* in Costa Mesa--and I'm so glad they did. Since we live nearby, my wife and I stopped by unannounced one weekend. We were warmly greeted by Diane, who was not only kind and welcoming but also very knowledgeable. She took the time to show us around the lot and walk us through the different vans available. Each one looked to be in excellent condition, especially considering their age and use as rentals. It's clear they take great care of their fleet. After hearing horror stories about other van rental companies--poorly maintained vehicles, withheld deposits, rude service--we felt totally at ease here. So we booked our first rental, *Albie*, for a quick weekend trip to San Mateo (May 16-18). Bill gave me a quick, no-nonsense rundown of the van's operation. His confidence in the simplicity of the vehicle and in me as a driver was refreshing. His attitude was basically: "You'll have a blast--go enjoy it!" And we did. Albie, a 70s VW van with a smooth 4-speed manual, drove like a charm. Yes, it had that classic steering play like you'd expect from an old-school vehicle, but it was part of the fun and easy to adjust to. At the campground, everything worked as expected--no issues or surprises. The van was fully stocked with essentials: cookware, a flashlight, dish soap, and more. We brought our own since we're local, but it was great to know it was all there without any nickel-and-diming. Bill even added a bike rack for us for a small, totally reasonable fee. Returning the van was a breeze. Bill did a quick, low-key inspection and genuinely seemed more interested in hearing how our trip went than scrutinizing the vehicle. He clearly cares about both his customers and his vans. **Bottom line: this is a top-notch, trustworthy business with reasonable prices and a personal touch.** If you're thinking about a vintage van adventure, *don't hesitate to rent from these guys. So glad we found them!* B Wilson read more

Vintage Surfari Wagons - San Mateo campground- San Onofre, CA 2025 - RV Rental Near Me - Avalon, California

Peace Vans connected us to Bill at Vintage Surfari Wagons to help troubleshoot an electrical problem and to reinstall a standpipe for our heater. Bill was great to work with in setting up a date/time for the work to be done. As it turns out the standpipe work was done under a recall and we only had the electrical problem remaining. Bill reached out to make sure we had done some basic troubleshooting, just in case we could solve the problem over the phone rather than make the long drive up from San Diego. After reviewing the Peace Vans material for our unit, we discovered a variance in a setting and solved the problem. Bill's encouragement to just review simple things meant no wasted time for us or for his busy technicians. We appreciate his willingness to take on helping us and his can-do attitude! read more

We had the most amazing family holiday in one of Bill + Diane's kombis. We traveled from Australia to see California and it was amazing!! They gave us such great ideas on where to camp + were really lovely. They love their kombis and totally looked after us + especially because we looked after their kombi. We highly recommend a trip in their vws. read more

Vintage Surfari Wagons - RV Rental Near Me - Avalon, California

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I cannot express how much fun we had during our weekend excursion in this little van. Bill was a pleasure to work with, and the van was in tip top shape for being 50+ years old. I rented this as a surprise for my honey, as he is obsessed with VW wagon vans. We made many lasting memories that weekend! read more

Vintage Surfari Wagons - Our weekend rental - RV Rental Near Me - Avalon, California

This just happened to me today 3/29/2019.... Im a business owner as well and would NEVER reply to a potential client this way... SMH.... REALLY BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO BEGIN WITH AND TO END WITH! Was not expecting these type of replies from this business... i was really hyped up to make business with them but they LITERALLY KILLED THE VIBE... SO DISAPPOINTING.... Hope you all have a better experience with them.... :-/ read more

Vintage Surfari Wagons - Who replies to potential clients this way??? So UNPROFESSIONAL, SO DISRESPECTFUL.... Literally killed my hyped up vibe... :-/ - RV Rental Near Me - Avalon, California

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Nothing but positive things to say about our experience with Vintage Surfari. We made our booking about a month out, and got exactly what e asked for (even though we had to change dates a week before). We took Ala Lani, a light blue '79. We actually own a '73 VW bus, so we were very familiar with how temperamental these ol' girls can be. We were pleasantly surprised, however, with how well loved and maintained Ala Lani was. She drove like a dream, and her upgraded engine (and automatic transmission) made it completely drivable even for someone only used to modern cars. Good thing to note, is that it's not just the cars from another era, the business itself is run "old school." Meaning, you can sit and have a conversation with the owner, a lot of the research and planning is left to the renter etc. This made it even more appealing for my wife and I who were looking to really unplug for our anniversary get away. We left Bill's parking lot still not sure where we going to go, but just headed north and based on a couple of recommendations from Bill were able to find the perfect spot on the beach and sleep on top of the bus with the sounds of waves crashing all around us. You get the sense right away from working with this company that it runs much more like a community than a business, and after our amazing experience this weekend, I think it's a community we want to be a part of. read more

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Owner sent me an email stating that I was incompetent to drive one of his VW bus due to my question. It seems like he feels superior over some people. Check out some of the other negative reviews on how he treats people. I've posted a picture of his recent email. I would recommend checking out other rental places for VW vans for cheaper prices. read more

Vintage Surfari Wagons - He called me an idiot to drive one. This is what he sent me. Who does this? - RV Rental Near Me - Avalon, California

We just rented the 1986 Westfalia last weekend for a short trip to Joshua Tree and loved it. We'd read about it in Sunset magazine and had been wanting to give it a try. What a fun adventure it was for my wife, two kids and I. Bill and Diane were fantastic in helping us find a van that worked for us on somewhat short notice and providing a quality Westy that ran well. We can't wait to rent an older version and try that experience. Bill and Diane are an awesome couple with a good thing going. read more

Vintage Surfari Wagons - RV Rental Near Me - Avalon, California

We rented a VW wagon from Vintage Surfari Wagons this past week. The wagon was in great condition and carefully restored so that it maintained its classic charm. The van was equipped with everything you would need for a little cozy getaway. The owner, Bill Staggs was very helpful and gave us great ideas for mini vacations around California. We will definitely rent from Vintage Surfari Wagons again! read more

Vintage Surfari Wagons - the lovely turtle :) - RV Rental Near Me - Avalon, California

A long overdue review... In March 2015, I went on a girls trip with a friend to CA. We'd come across Vintage Surfari Wagons thanks to a blog post (Traveling Triplets - Kylie Fly) and contacted Bill & Diane Staggs, the owners. They were both awesome and helpful from the get-go. Bill was our main contact, and helped us plan our trip. We flew into Santa Maria, and headed to Costa Mesa - We drove "Mavericks", a Eurovan, up to Big Sur to explore and set up camp for a night, as well as camped along the way at Morro Bay and Gaviota State Park. The Staggs provided pretty much everything we needed in the van (pillows, blankets, dishware, cookware, phone chargers, flashlights, etc) and immediately on arrival, Bill showed us how to maneuver the ol' bus in about 15-20 minutes. The 4 star versus 5 star rating is due to the fact that we had reserved a Vanagon but once we arrived, we were told that one was not available for us (even though we booked 2 months in advance), and ended up with a 1999 (?) Eurovan. I was disappointed at first but it ended up being just fine. Also, right before getting into Big Sur, the "check engine" light turned on, but after a quick phone call to Bill, we got it figured out and we were able to finish our trip as planned. The van slept 2 people comfortably - One person sleeping in the pop-up/upper part of the van, and the other on the lower part / seats-turned-bed area. Could easily have slept 4 though, if you're willing to squeeze a little bit. :) Vintage Surfari helped me live a dream. I can't wait to plan another VW bus adventure with Vintage Surfari Wagons! read more

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Vintage Surfari Wagons Costa Mesa For a magical mystery tour and time travel experience, this is a must do. Proprietors Bill & Diane Staggs are great! They are a small shop close to Newport Beach that have a quiver of old VW vans. We rented Abaco, a 1979 Westfalia which was recently restored to look like a timeless classic Surfari camper van. Attention to detail was remarkable. It felt like a brand new old Westfalia even better than new due to the most excellent colors and fabrics used in the remodel. The experience started with Bill taking us through step-by-step everything we needed to know about Abaco in about 15 minutes. If anyone is considering buying an old Westy, it might be worth renting for this experience alone! While I am a long time bug owner, I was new to the Westy bus world and now feel like an expert thanks to Bill! Abaco took us on a camping adventure to Mojave Narrows and Big Bear. Absolutely no problems. Driving an old VW was a relaxing and fun experience. It was wonderful being self-contained and having plenty of room for my wife and two kids. Before returning Abaco, we also stopped by the beach to cap off our wonderful experience. While I am considering finding one to purchase, if I need one before then, I know the right place to go! read more

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Flawless! Bill was extremely courteous and helpful at every stage. And then there's the VWs: we fell in love with our '79 Westie "Eddie." He was clean and well cared for, came stocked with everything we needed, and comfortably slept all four of our crew. The bus also ran beautifully! The thing was a happiness-making machine. It provoked countless reveries of good times past from fellow travelers up the CA coast and never failed to make us smile when we saw it waiting for us after a hike. Can't say good enough things about VSW. We're already picking out our bus for the next trip! read more

Vintage Surfari Wagons - Unexpected encounter at Big Sur. - RV Rental Near Me - Avalon, California

My wife and I are from New Orleans, La, and we just finished a 8 day group VW bus trip along the California coast and had a absolutely wonderful time. The team at Vintage Safari Wagons, Diane, Bill, Happy and Kimber made the trip extra special for my wife and I. The attention to detail within the VW bus was absolutely superb, from Goose down comforter's to a French press for coffee and tea, there was no detail left out. To top it off, the VSW team has a friend who happens to be a famous chef that they brought along to cook some meals at the camp sites, and the meals were absolutely amazing. If you are looking for a once in a lifetime experience in a vintage VW bus, this is the place to go. P.S. Be sure when booking to ask Diane and Bill about campground recommendations as the ones we stayed at were breath taking. read more

It had to have been over 5 years ago that we first rented from vintage Surfari, and like most people that rent from them...as we've come to find out, we ended up renting several times. The buses are like your very own time machine. The pace is slow, they tell you EVERYWHERE to go, and wouldn't you know, we ended up buying our own bus years later. AND! They even helped us find that! It's not a business, it's a family. It's another home, a vessel to roam. They'll give you everything you need...indeed, all you need to do is call ya'll, and you'll see it will be, the adventure of a lifetime. Thanks, Vintage Bill and Diamond D, for changing our lives. read more

In August, I rented the Ala Lani bus for my boyfriend and I to beach camp in Malibu. We had so much fun, some great memories were made. The bus was definitely the highlight of our trip. People kept stopping by our campsite and complimenting the bus and our set up. Bill and Diane were absolutely lovely to rent from. Bill was very sweet and took the time to teach me every little thing about the the bus when I came to pick up. Dianne was thoughtful to make the bus look "homey" for us and greeted us when we returned the bus. The bus was equipped with everything we needed. Would highly recommend VWsurfari! Can't wait for our next trip. PS- my little nephew loved the bus and wanted to come with us so badly, we will have to rent again when he is a little older to join. read more

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Amazing experience in the Sierra Nevada. Bill guided us on this trip and we were so pleased. The Eurowagon was perfect and outfitted extremely well. Will do this again! read more

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My seven year old son and I have been doing a father and son trip to Southern California for the past five years. We keep a few traditions but also change it up every year and decided to rent a Volkswagen Westfalia from Vintage Safari Wagons. We ended up with a green 1979 VW they call Honuliu. The owner, Bill, was super nice. He let me son, a major dog lover lover, play with his dog. The three of us went over the features of the Volks and we were on our way. We used the VW to cook out of, sleep in and drive all over Southern California in. The Bus comes from an era when you and your vehicle made a secret deal-you would take care of it, it would take care of you. The fuel injected engine had plenty of power, and the road manners were good-very impressive when you consider this is a fifty year old design. Comparing it to something truly modern is not really fair, nor is it the point-in fact, the point of the VW is to get away from that. It performed flawlessly and I would gladly drive one of these any distance. The interior is a lesson in planning. It is very compact but extremely functional, easy to set up and everything worked well. It was easy to drive, sleep in, change in, etc. This is easily a vehicle one could not only use on vacation, but daily drive and commute in as well. The guys at VSW were great to work with. They were very fast with helping us get on our way upon returning the van. As a real rare bonus, the day after I got back, I got a text message from them with a picture of a watch that I mistakenly left in the Bus! I hadn't even realized I left it. They put it in the mail and I had it within two days. So these guys are not only friendly and enthusiastic about the business they are running, but honest too. We will be back in California and plan to use a Bus from VSW next trip as well. read more

We took the vehicle to Lake Tahoe and it broke down. The owner was well aware of our plans to go to Lake Tahoe as he took us over to the large map they have hanging in the hall in their facility and showed us routes and recommended we skip going all the way up north to see the redwoods. We were not upset at the fact that the vehicle broke down because we know those older vehicles are finicky but the owner, Bill?, left us stranded in some small town near Lake Tahoe with no vehicle, no lodging (as we were supposed to be staying in the camper van) AND he notified us he would be keeping our $500 deposit. We were a mere 5 min outside of the restricted area (only because all of the campsites on the California side were booked up) when the vehicle stopped running so we did not get our deposit back. I am 100% positive that the additional 5 min of driving was not the reason that the vehicle broke down. Upon trying to get this resolved, the owner was crass and disrespectful. We also witnessed him accusing another group of smoking weed in the vehicle and trying to charge them an additional cleaning fee (which is ridiculous considering marijuana smell doesn't linger very long anyway). But judging by their reactions they were really surprised by the accusation and I am inclined to think they did nothing of the sort. Just know that this company will try and unjustifiably keep your deposit and tack on additional unwarranted charges. Apparently that is how they choose to make their money. EDIT: Typical that owner responds with an unprofessional and incorrect recount of the events whenever someone isn't satisfied. Let this be a warning to anyone who still wishes to risk doing business with this despicable business. read more

If you've ever thought of getting a VW campervan, this is a great place to try one out in rare fully-operational condition, from any era (70's buses, 80's Vanagons, or 90's Eurovans). Trying one for a few days can tell you a lot about whether it would work for you. I've always wanted one of these, and we did a trip for my birthday, flying into the nearby Santa Ana airport and a quick taxi to the garage. It was awesome. Taking a bus is a great variation to the road trip, and instantly puts you in a unique community that is enthusiastic about these. A fellow van driver let us stay with him at a campsite that was full just because he wanted to check out the bus. People want to talk to you right away about it. Bill and Diane were great, after we brought the bus back on time, they let us take it to the beach for a few extra hours before our flight, which was generous. If you take good care of their increasingly rare and sweet rides, and communicate well with them, they are very accommodating. We originally signed up for Blue Max, but had to change our reservation and ended up with Honu Liu, a 1979 green bay window. What a charmer. It turned out to be good fortune, as that bus is one of the most original of the interiors (we were totally into the green and yellow plaid upholstery). One thing we did on our trip, which I wholeheartedly recommend, is to turn off the phones for the weekend. It was a real vintage experience, with paper maps (included onboard), choosing your own route, getting lost, asking directions, and always showing up exactly where you need to be when you need to get there. (Bring some CD's, though!) It made the vacation into a real vacation. read more

I rented Ala-Lani for Coachella this year. The van ran great and we had an awesome experience! Tons of people complemented Ala-Lani. We were 3 people and we were super comfortable, we slept great! Things to improve would be to notify people that the gas gage isn't accurate so it's best to calculate mileage with the odometer. Also the heater didn't work and while driving thru the San Jacinto mountains temperature dropped to 48 degrees! Overall I'd recommend VW Surfari and I'd totally re-book Ala-Lani for a California beach town road trip that's in my bucket list. read more

Vintage Surfari Wagons - RV Rental Near Me - Avalon, California

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If you are an adventurer like me that just wants to get away for the weekend...you have to check out this place! They have about 20 VW buses to choose from. We rented a neon green '84 Westfalia Vanagon and went up and down the Pacific Coast Highway for 3 days. Bill & Dianne give you everything you need and are always a text away if you have any questions. read more

Vintage Surfari Wagons - RV Rental Near Me - Avalon, California

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I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Vintage Surfari. Bill and Diane were extremely helpful in helping me plan a surprise trip for my husbands 30th birthday and even helped me to navigate state park reservations etc for our stay. Picking up the van was easy and efficient and the option to add on extras like camp chairs and beach towels was a huge win. Staying in the van was incredible and had everything you could think of: plates, coffee mugs, storage space, flashlight, utensils, the list goes on. We were fully equipped to enjoy an awesome trip. It was so special to be a part of the VW camper van community for a few days and we will definitely be renting from Vintage Surfari again. Thank you Bill & Diane for an amazing experience and hope to see you again soon! read more

I surprised my husband for his big birthday with a road trip in Taos, Vintage Surfari's 1977 orange Bay Window. We nicknamed her Daphne, after Scooby Doo's red head. And she was a dream. Like all hot girls, she had her moments of sass. But forgivable and endearing. So...we started in Costa Mesa. I really admire Bill and Dianne. They REALLY have their business together. Everything from the website, to the booking and paperwork processes, the orientation videos to the inventory of the cozy office, and the very thorough walk through of the vehicle with Bill in person. They've created a fantastic system for clients. And they're obviously passionate about the VW culture.. The garage full of vintage vans being gutted and worked on is a testament to this. A few things to consider before you decide to take out a vintage beauty like "Taos" and look super cool driving down the highway. 1) Understand that you will max out at 60-65mph (depends how hot) and 45 mph on any incline. If you're in a rush, on a tight schedule, give the decision pause. 2) Be extra extra conservative with gas calculation, taking into account driving in higher gear. Our gas gauge was not functioning. 3) Don't expect air conditioning the way you currently expect air conditioning. 4) Our vintage van was not a water-cooled engine and was susceptible to over heating. We were driving though the desert at the beginning of fall, and it was pretty hot. My husband and I aren't of the generation that knew how to handle the hiccups of the mechanics these vehicles or who remember the good 'ol days when we used to drive the around and get stuck in the rain (as many of our older friends have reminisced about). So, no, we're not the best candidates to get under the car and bypass the starter, ect. ect. Vintage Surfari is pretty clear about the risks of encountering issues, and as you can see in the responses to other reviews below, tries to keep everyone's expectations in check. We learned some important things from Bill along the way. For example, if it's hot, keep the engine running for a while before taking the keys out of the ignition. 5) This vehicle was something perfect for a couple currently without kiddies. If you have the responsibilities of little ones, engine issues could become some serious extra stresses. Having the dog with us gave us a tiny sense of this. So a personal story- on our way to Indio to catch the Rolling Stones at Desert Trip, Daphne wouldn't start back up after stopping at a gas station. She overheated. We learned all the points above, after the fact. (Believe me, this is ALL part of the adventure that you will look back on so lovingly on and gush, remember the time when...?") Bill was very responsive, gave us some instructions over the phone, that didn't end up doing the trick, and finally said, "you guys should catch a ride to the concert so you don't miss it. I'll fix the van." And he drove something like 2 1/2 hours out towards us to fix our issue. And then turned back home. That is some serious customer service. We were truly grateful. The adventure showed us other worldly wonders. We took Daphne to Joshua Tree, drove through Vegas, and camped out at Zion National Park. Every second in those fun tight quarters was a bonding moment. The camper is outfitted with everything you could need. We were always self-sufficient. It was a week we will NEVER forget. A highlight of our marriage. We'd do it all over again and again. Thank you, Bill and Dianne. My hubs is a photographer...some very stunning photos to come. read more

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Truly one of the greatest adventures we have had. Traveling up the coast to camp at the incredible Limekiln campground in Big Sur was absolutely perfect because of the Vanagon. We did however encounter vehicle problems that caused us to miss out on a big day in our planned travels. Please read the policies they have in place, be ready for additional charges for mileage and know what may happen if you experience difficulties with the vehicle. These are old vehicles so encountering problems is always a risk, and Bill is so helpful and knowledgable you are in good hands, but you might find yourself in a stressful situation. Thankfully, by the end of the trip we had an incredible time and they were extremely generous in costs to make up for our stresses and lost day of travel. Overall, we will never forget the experience and hope to do it again. read more

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Do not use this company! They have ruined my holiday from the UK. I emailed them in December to reserve a VW Campervan in California (Los Angeles/ The OC) for a festival. After a long exchange of emails chose a van with their advice. When I emailed to confirm the flight we were coming in on for transfer they advised that they had completely lost the reservation details and given our van to another customer, by this stage we had already spent close to $3000 on our holiday but had no van! VW Safari refused to amend the booking even though we had been first, and refused to co-operate in helping us procure another vehicle because of their mistake. The emails they "apologised" with were offensive and overly dramatic, including detailed paragraphs of how they can't organise their own business by taking care of simple tasks, and even referred to my situation being as "if they dropped dead" rather than them being incompetent! Deal this company at your peril! read more

This is the shop that is near the John Wayne airport where you can hop of a plane and he in an RV in a few hours. We took one from Costa Mesa up the coast to the Julia Pfeiffer State Park. Camping along the way is such a breeze for there are numinous opportunities to discover wonderful redwood forests hidden up the backside canyon. 130.00 a day read more

We rented Mad Maxx for a week 5/2/2015-5/8/2015 and headed north. We drove through Big Sur to Carmel and hit all the beautiful parks/tourist spots. We stayed in a few campgrounds along the way, Limekiln was our favorite. Absolutely beautiful!!! Driving the VW bus was the icing on the cake. The interior of the bus was so nice, clean and updated. Fully stocked with dishes, silverware, condiments, etc. The sink and propane stove made meals a breeze. Mad Maxx ran perfectly without any issues. He handled the winding roads and switchbacks in Big Sur like a pro. He may not be as beautifully painted as their other buses on the outside, but he was awesome! We were so sad to have to give him back. I can't say enough about how much I love this unique, cool business. The owners Bill & Diane were super friendly, helpful, accommodating and just good people. We received such a positive response from all our friends and family that are looking forward to booking their VW vacations. Highly recommend booking a trip with VW Surfari!! Bucket list trip of a lifetime. Can't wait to do it again!! :) read more

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My daughter and I rented the Cardiff for a 3 day trip up the California coast and had an amazing time. Driving the van is a lot of fun and we had no issues with windy roads and changes in elevation. The van included everything we needed to prepare meals (dishes/pots/pans/utensils) and the pop up was easy to put up and down. Diane and Bill were very responsive to our questions and provided clear instructions. We will definitely be back! read more

We will be California dreamin' about this experience for a long time. We had an amazing experience in a vintage '79 VW bus. We got lots of envious looks from other drivers and heard many stories from people who have fond memories of their own buses. The process was flawless from pickup to return. The folks at Vintage Surfari are very friendly and were available to answer our questions whenever we had them. Definitely treat yourself to this unique experience. read more

We flew in from Minnesota in January for a roadtrip to the Pinnacles, Hearst Castle and some beach camping in one of the newer Eurovans (which we liked so much that we just bought one and brought it home to MN!). Cannot say enough about Bill & Dianne and their hospitality. We received a fully outfitted van (rented sheet sets, etc.) and were out the door after orientation. I also love their love of the campervan--their shop is like a little tour in history. I wanted to move into a van right away. We somehow broke the side door and Bill was very understanding and only charged a bit off our deposit. Great rental experience--felt fully supported to travel in an older vehicle over distance. read more

Our bus rental was so fun! What a cute and fun way to get around! The owners were so pleasant and helpful...and the bus was so cute, inside and out! read more

Legendary trip in a 1985 Vanagon! We had a tremendous time with Fritz, the VW vanagon. I fell in love. I travelled with my sister and daughter and her bestie. The girls slept downstairs, I slept upstairs and my sister slept in a tent. It was a bit cramped with all our belongings, but it was an iconic trip. Bill and Diane offer emotional and mechanical support...:) The van was in awesome shape. We had beautiful weather. This trip surpassed our expectations. We will remember this for many years to come. I went to sleep reading the owners' manual and dreaming of owning one of these some day...Thanks also to Jack, the mechanic from Texas, who gave us a ride to Jonn Wayne airport on our last day. We will be back for more Vdubbing around California some day I hope. read more

I was thrilled to find them, the website pics look really cool. We made reservations almost a year in advance....9 months. We had to change our reservations when my mother passed away and we had to go to a funeral. As it was still 9 months notice, they were nice enough to accommodate us rescheduling. Great. Right? My experience with them has turned out to be bad. Very BAD. Their website states; CANCELLATIONS | There is an administration fee of $50 for bookings cancelled up to 30 days prior to your pick-up date. If reservations are cancelled 30 to 8 days prior to pick-up there is a $250 cancellation fee. We ended up finding a rental closer to our location in SF, so we called three times to cancel. Emailed twice. We have not heard from them regarding getting our deposit back. BEWARE! We cancelled months in advance and should receive back $200. Haven't heard a word from them. We're so disappointed. They seemed like a legitimate very well organized company but unfortunately, they are not. Ignoring phone calls and emails is no way to run a business. I really didn't want to write this review, but I feel like other people need to know how they do business. read more

Caution Read the fine PRINT... The GRINCH who would not give our deposit back. I am usually a laid back easy going guy but felt I needed to share my disappointing experience with future VW bus renters. To say I am disappointed is an understatement. My two girls and I were planing a fun trip for Christmas and the owners of VW bus rental company were not accommodating. I received a call this week that the van I chose to rent was in the shop and would not be available for my trip. The owners offered me a substitute vehicle but my family and I decided it was not the one we wanted and asked for our deposit back. The owners said we could not get our deposit back because they offered us a substitute vehicle, no negotiation. They referred to the fine print in their policy statement on their website. It is not clear though that the VW owners can take the deposit even if the customer chooses not to take a substitute vehicle. It is a bummer and sort of weird thing to do to us a day before Christmas. I am now out 250.00 dollars, and suggested to the owners to use the money to change the verbiage and placement of the policy language. Make the information more transparent so the customer knows his or her rights. Apparently this has happened a couple of times before with other customers and the owners protect themselves by saying " did you read our policy statement". Again not very cool or accommodating. I hate to say this but there is a lot of legal language so you may want to have a lawyer look at and be clearly advised of your risks. Just FYI the laid back attitude conveyed on the site and its messaging was completely opposite from when I got when I tried to get my deposit back. Rather the owner was defensive, dismissive and not customer friendly. Just BEWARE of the fine print and its repercussions. Merry Christmas read more

I just got back from my second trip with Vintage Surfari Wagons. Another perfect trip! Bill and Diane are amazing people and they have a first class operation. The buses are great, every detail is well thought out and they offer great advice and support regarding the vans. If you want a fun vacation that will give you an experience you can't get anyplace else - go with Surfari Wagons. read more

We rented the Westfalia and took it to Death Valley- had a great time! Our two year old loved being able to climb up into the drivers seat (when we were parked!) and pretend to drive. We travelled comfortably and saw so much. We will definitely rent again and highly recommend the adventure! read more

We love vw surfari! Bill the owner is super friendly, professional and honest and his buses are in amazing condition. We rented a 79 vw bus for a weekend getaway and had a great time. read more

Rented a wagon for them for a trip. Three weeks before the trip I get an email refunding my deposit. They said they had mechanical problems and had to cancel my reservation. Apparently they don't have any "backup" vehicles. (Not a good business model if people are planning trips around your service). No help finding a replacement. Meanwhile I'm stuck with a ticket to LA and deposits for camping I can't get refunded. In my line of work we would have put effort in to find a replacement - something to try to make it right and taken some financial responsibility for our error. Can't say what happens if you actually get a wagon from them. I can tell you not to plan your trip around them - they are unreliable. read more

Just finished an incredible 2 week trip up the Pacific Coast Highway from LA to San Francisco over to Yosemite and Sequoia and back with our 2 kids, 5 and 7, in a 1978 mango green Westfalia named Abaco. It was the trip of a lifetime and the coolest way possible to see California. Bill and Diane were so friendly, helpful and easy-going. We never had a single problem with the bus and driving it was a blast. The bus was thoughtfully stocked with everything you need and we rented bedding from them which included pillows, sheets, beach towels, down comforters and blankets. Perfect for the weather we encountered which could get quite cool in places even in July. They threw in camping chairs (which bungee neatly onto the rooftop cargo space) and an extra cooler of our choice and even have an array of leftover sunscreen, bug spray, guide books and beach toys to take what you want from. They really think of everything! People everywhere stopped to talk to us about the bus and lots of people even took pictures with it. Unbelievably great experience! Cannot recommend it highly enough. read more

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Just came back from a 2 week VW Westphalia tour of California. We had an incredible camping trip in our VW. Bill and Diane Staggs were very patient with us. They showed us how easy it was to operate and drive their camper. We followed the coast all the way to San Francisco, then on to Lake Tahoe and then the drive south thru and along the Sierra Nevada mountains. We had so many memorable stops along the way. What a beautiful and relaxing way to see California. We will do this again Bill and Diane. Thanks so much for helping us with our adventure. Next time we'll take the kids! read more