Heading south for the winter. Van Life in California

Hello friends! In today’s video, I’m finally leaving the Bay Area of California and heading south for the winter. My destination is Monrovia, California, where I’ll meet my mechanic to get some work done on my vehicle. In this video, I’ll take you along for the ride, showing how I plan my route using Google Maps, which is super handy and easy to navigate. I’ll also share the cool stealth camping spot I’ve been staying at for the past few days, which has been a fantastic location.

Today, I’m starting just north of San Jose. For the past few days, I’ve been moving around, camping near places like Alviso Marina County Park and Shoreline Park. Recently, I found a great spot in a commercial area near Planet Fitness. This spot, next to a shopping center with stores like Michaels, Ross, Best Buy, and a Walmart Supercenter, turned out to be perfect for stealth camping. After showering at Planet Fitness, I decided to test the waters by parking overnight. The atmosphere was chill and no one bothered me, so I ended up staying there for three days. I spent my time catching up on computer work, working out, grabbing groceries at Walmart, and exploring the local restaurants. I tried Banana Leaf, a Malaysian restaurant, and OK Noodle, a great Chinese restaurant. It felt like a mini vacation, with everything I needed right there, including access to a gym and shopping.

Now, I’m hitting the road, heading south to Monrovia. Google Maps shows it’s about a 5 ½-hour drive, but I prefer driving for about three hours at a time to avoid fatigue. My first stop will be at the San Luis Reservoir, a beautiful recreation area. I’ll take a break, stretch my legs, and continue the drive in two days. After the reservoir, I’ll stop at a rest area to spend the night before continuing on to Monrovia the next day.

The trip has been interesting so far. About an hour in, Google Maps alerted me to an accident on the highway, which was backed up with traffic. Instead of sitting in stop-and-go traffic, I decided to take an alternate route, even though it added 15 minutes to my drive. Unfortunately, the new route also showed another accident, which was surprising given we were in the middle of rural farmland. I’m not in a rush though, so I can take my time. The sun is setting, giving a beautiful golden-hour glow to the landscape.

Eventually, I arrived at the scenic San Luis Reservoir, though it was later than planned, so I couldn’t fly my drone. The view was stunning, and I found a nice, level spot to park, make some food, and relax. After making a few phone calls, I planned to spend the night at a rest area, but when I arrived, I discovered it was closed. It seems California had to shut down some rest areas, possibly due to damage from the homeless. This was disappointing, as I was on a quiet stretch of I-5 with limited options nearby.

Luckily, I spotted a Chevron station nearby and decided to check if I could stay there for the night. Google Maps said it was closed, but when I drove by, I saw it was still open with a big gravel parking lot. One of the great things about van life is that your home is always with you, so as long as you find a place to park, you’re set for the night. This trip hasn’t gone as planned, but that’s part of the nomadic lifestyle. You have to roll with the unexpected.

I found a spot near some truckers, being careful not to take up too much space. I don’t want to block a big rig, but I also want to avoid any accidents. Once I settled in, I felt safe and ready to relax for the night. Even though the day had its challenges, like getting late to the reservoir and the closed rest area, the flexibility of nomadic life made it all work out in the end. Now, I’ll spend some time working on this video and preparing for the next leg of my journey. Let’s see what tomorrow brings!

After settling in at the Chevron station for the night, I took a moment to reflect on the flexibility and freedom that come with living the nomadic lifestyle. Sure, things didn’t go exactly as planned—missing out on the scenic drone shots at the reservoir and finding the rest area closed was disappointing—but that’s just part of the journey. There’s always an opportunity to adapt and find new solutions, whether it’s a random parking lot or an unexpected detour. And that’s something I’ve come to appreciate about this way of living.

The fact that my “home” is always with me is such a comfort. I don’t have to worry about hotel check-ins or making last-minute reservations. If I find a safe spot to park, like tonight at the Chevron, then I’m set. And there’s a certain peace in knowing that wherever I go, I can settle down for the night, no matter how unpredictable the day might have been. Once I parked, I took some time to make dinner and work on editing this video, getting ready to share this experience with all of you.

The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to hit the road again. I still had a few hours left to drive before reaching Monrovia, but since I had no strict schedule, I could take my time. The plan was to continue south, stopping along the way to take in any interesting sights or breaks. I enjoy the slower pace, not having to rush anywhere, and just cruising through the countryside while soaking in the views.

As I drove further into southern California, I began to feel the excitement of reaching my destination. Monrovia isn’t just about getting work done on my vehicle—it’s also a place where I can catch up with my mechanic, someone who’s been part of my journey for a while now. It’s nice to have a trusted person to rely on when it comes to maintaining the van. That connection adds a sense of community to this otherwise solo journey.

Along the way, I stopped at a few more scenic spots, stretched my legs, and enjoyed the simple pleasure of being on the open road. It’s these little moments—when the sun is shining, the road is open, and the world feels expansive—that remind me why I chose this life. There’s a sense of freedom in knowing I can go wherever I want, whenever I want, with nothing holding me back.

As I got closer to Monrovia, I started thinking ahead about the work that needed to be done on my van. I’ve had a few things on my list for a while, and getting everything checked off will ensure that the vehicle is in top shape for the next leg of my journey. Once that’s done, I’ll be able to hit the road again with a clear mind and a fully functioning home on wheels.

Overall, this trip has been a reminder that, in the nomad life, things don’t always go according to plan, but that’s okay. There’s always a way to keep moving forward, even when the road throws you a curveball. Whether it’s finding a new place to sleep for the night or taking a detour to avoid traffic, the journey is just as important as the destination. So, I’m excited for what comes next and ready to embrace the adventures that lie ahead!

After leaving the Chevron station, I continued my drive south towards Monrovia. The highway stretched on, flanked by rolling hills and patches of farmland. With the sun rising higher, the morning light gave everything a soft glow, making the landscape feel even more serene. I took my time, keeping the windows cracked open, letting the cool breeze flow through the van, and savoring the freedom of being on the road.

As I got closer to Los Angeles County, the scenery began to shift. The rural landscape gradually transformed into a more urban environment, with traffic picking up and buildings starting to dot the horizon. It’s always a bit of an adjustment going from quieter, remote areas back into the bustling energy of a city, but there’s also a sense of anticipation and excitement that comes with it. Knowing that I was getting closer to Monrovia and that I’d soon be meeting my mechanic added a layer of purpose to the drive.

I made one final stop at a rest area just before entering the busier part of the city. There, I took the opportunity to step out, stretch my legs, and prepare a quick lunch. One of the perks of van life is that I can pull over, make a meal, and relax anywhere I find a nice view. This particular rest area overlooked a small valley, with a mix of trees and open fields. I made myself a sandwich, grabbed a cold drink from the fridge, and sat outside for a bit, just enjoying the calm before diving into the city traffic.

With lunch done and a bit of relaxation under my belt, I packed everything up and continued on the final leg of the journey. It wasn’t long before I found myself navigating the streets of Monrovia, a small city on the outskirts of Los Angeles, known for its historic charm and beautiful mountain backdrop. I’ve always liked this area—it has a laid-back vibe and feels more like a community than a big city. Plus, having a mechanic here who understands the unique needs of my van is a huge bonus.

When I arrived at the mechanic’s shop, it was a relief to see a familiar face. We chatted for a bit about the trip down and went over the work I needed to be done. This time, it was mainly routine maintenance: checking the brakes, an oil change, and a couple of small tweaks to the van’s electrical system. Nothing too major, but important things to keep my home on wheels in top condition. I handed over the keys, feeling good about getting everything sorted out.

While the van was in the shop, I decided to explore Monrovia a bit. It’s a picturesque town with a historic downtown area full of cafes, boutique shops, and tree-lined streets. I took a leisurely stroll, stopped for a cup of coffee at a local café, and even popped into a used bookstore I stumbled upon. This is one of my favorite things about this lifestyle—having the freedom to explore new places, big or small, that I might not have taken the time to visit otherwise.

After spending a few hours wandering around, I got a call that the van was ready to be picked up. Everything had been checked and tuned up, and I was all set for the next phase of my journey. There’s always a sense of satisfaction when maintenance is complete and the van is running smoothly again. It’s like hitting the reset button, knowing I can head out confidently with my home in peak condition.

With Monrovia behind me and the van feeling great, I started thinking about my next destination. I hadn’t made any firm plans yet, which is often how I like it. Having the flexibility to choose where to go next, based on how I’m feeling or what sounds interesting, is one of the greatest joys of van life. Maybe I’ll head out to the desert for some stargazing, or perhaps make my way towards the coast to catch some beach vibes.

Wherever I decide to go, I know the journey will be full of unexpected twists, beautiful sights, and the kind of small, everyday moments that make life on the road so rewarding. And as I turn my thoughts to what lies ahead, I feel a familiar excitement building—a sense of wonder about the open road and all the possibilities it holds.

But for now, I’m content just to have completed this leg of the trip, with a fully functioning van and a mind full of new experiences. It’s moments like these, with a successful journey behind me and endless possibilities ahead, that remind me why I chose this path in the first place. No matter what tomorrow brings, I’m ready to embrace it.