Stealth Camping San Diego in a Sprinter Van

San Diego is probably one of the easier places to be a van dweller which led to why we we’re able to do it for so long. San Diego has the best weather in the country so you don’t have to worry about extreme heat or cold.

University Heights, San Diego, Ca

With the combination of the tourist and the beach culture a van tends to just blend in with the environment. One thing we did was Chris started his own Company and created magnetic business logo signs to go onto the side of our van. Then it’s no longer just a van, it’s a work van.

The parks in San Diego are what you would call van friendly. You might not be able to park overnight at the park and the beaches but you could be there all day undisturbed. I highly recommend having your van “drive ready” before you sleep, it helps the entire process of stealth camping. You can leave instantly upon waking up. You can just go to a nearby park or beach and be what I like to call “windows down” or “doors open”.

As far as where to park for overnight we recommend 3 different types of places/ areas:

1. Near Apartment complex’s

Because apartment complexes hold so many occupants your van will blend in with the rest of the cars parked around. Apartment complexes are such high traffic areas with all kinds of vehicles coming in and out. You’re just another vehicle in the parking lot.

2. Congested Neighborhoods at nighttime

Sliding into a congested neighborhood in the middle of the night works very well for a good nights rest. Also with that being said you don’t want to overstay your welcome.

This is a place where your chances are higher of get the police called about your van being in-front of someone’s house if you’re there for too long. It’s more of an in and out kind of thing, because your house is on wheels it’s easier to just move somewhere else during the day time.

In the morning after a successful stealth camp…we left right after we took this photo.

3. Near the beach

Not the parking lot for the beach but, near the beach. There is a ton of “overflow” parking that might be a few minutes of extra walking but perfect for overnight parking. The best part is waking up and you’re just footsteps from the beach. And typically you can stay there during the day time as well and enjoy your day.