We review the VW California SE from price to economy and all its features
IT’S holiday season and many of you might be considering a “staycation”. So why not do it in a camper van? Mum-of-three Sally Land took the VW California SE away for a long weekend. Here’s how she got on:
"AS the rain started lashing down and wind blew the campsite all over the exposed hill, it was satisfying to know our next step was to snuggle down deeper under the covers.
All around us we heard the sound of tent zips being hastily pulled and campers urgently bashing tent pegs even farther into the ground.
We were lucky to be in a VW California SE camper van and emerged unscathed after the storm. Other rain-drenched campers weren’t so lucky.
We took the van for a weekend in the Cotswolds with our three sons. The kids loved exploring every nook and cranny of the van – but the real hit was the top deck with double mattress.
When they weren’t out playing football we knew we would find them up there watching the campsite go by.
Converting the van from bus to living space was simple. Everything in the van felt solid, as you would expect with VW.
But it was the clever little storage tricks that I loved – the fold-up table tucked into the main sliding door and the fold-up chairs packed into the rear door.
It was fantastic being able to pack food, clothes, toys and all the other weekend paraphernalia into the van once without worrying about unpacking everything again on arrival as you would normally.
And as for the obligatory uncomfortable camping nights – we felt like frauds as the mattresses were gorgeously comfortable.
We’re saving for our own camper van but, at £45,000 for a brand new California SE, it might take us a while!"