The first stop on this California RV road trip is Rancho Oso RV and Camping Resort, in Santa Barbara, California! Rancho Oso has 310 acres of absolute beauty. This campground features RV sites, cabins, western style wagons, and cabins for guests to stay in. And, if someone happens to be all in on the western vibe of the area, Rancho Oso offers horse stables and horse camping options, as well.
The RV of choice for this California road trip is a 2016 Mercedes Winnebago View. It’s a Class C and 25 feet in length, making it easy to maneuver and drive throughout the California coast and terrain. It features a sleeping space in the back with a double bed, a dining room table that doubles as a bed, a cabover sleeping area at the front, and a bathroom and small kitchen. Truly all of the necessities for a road trip.
For those who are more into glamping than camping, Rancho Oso also offers a number of cabins, with living spaces, full kitchens and bathrooms, separate bedrooms, lofted sleeping areas, and dedicated grills, fire pits, and outdoor living space. Life on the road doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. If you’re hoping to stay in a more rustic rental accommodation, the covered wagons and western style cabins are great options.
After going horseback riding with the onsite guides, our crew caught up with Liz, the assistant manager at Rancho Oso, to learn a bit more about the area and the history of the campground itself. “Rancho Oso has actually been around since the mid-1800s,” Liz said. “This property specifically has a deep history. The Three Stooges and Charlie Chaplin used to come here. Santa Barbara was the hub of Hollywood at that point, so a lot of the old black and white movie stars would come here and they’d have dinner here. This was their resort to hang out and socialize with each other.”
Santa Barbara continues to be a top travel destination for a reason. Horseback riding, surfing, mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing are all within an hour of Rancho Oso. The campground itself has numerous hiking trails and plenty of onsite activities to keep guests of all ages entertained.
This southern California campground is a great place to relax and get away from it all, while enjoying the very same views as The Three Stooges and Charlie Chaplin! Check out Rancho Oso RV and Camping Resort and make Santa Barbara your next vacation destination.
