You Donāt Have to Travel Far in Southern California for an Epic Adventure
Itās time to go on a road trip! Summer vacations have been cancelled or postponed, youāve spent more time in your house than ever before and your travel bug is itchinā. Meet The Camper Cartel, the latest and greatest travel company. The Camper Cartel offers travelers a chance to rent gorgeous renovated campers, offering an elevated van-life experience for your next epic road trip. Camper Van Rentals LA
Launched just two weeks before Californiaās initial COVID shutdown, Bayusana and Chelsea were inspired by a weekend trip to Iceland. During that trip, they rented a van and experienced their first taste of van life about a year and a half earlier. The adventure left a lasting impression and ultimately sparked the idea that became their very own van-life business.
Prior to their trip to Iceland, Bayusanaās dear friend was diagnosed with lymphoma.
āHe had an incredible eye for details in nature that really changed my perspective,ā Bayusana explains.
Bayusana became his friendās full-time caregiver, and during that time, they often talked about launching a business after treatment. Following the Iceland trip, Bayusana and Chelsea returned home with a fully formed plan for The Camper Cartel. They had mapped out the entire concept during their four-day weekend adventure, turning inspiration into a real plan.
āWe were super excited to share it with our friend, [but] upon arriving, his condition worsened over the weekend,ā Bayusana explains, āI was able to make it home to hold him but not share our business plan with him.ā
From that experience, Bayusana was inspired to pursue this project full-speed ahead. With the pandemic occurring, however, he almost sold the entire company, thinking it would go nowhere. Luckily, the complete opposite happened; RV rentals are up an increasing amount. The Camper Cartel has found a niche that bridges the gap between avid campers and those who have never had this kind of experience before. Their goal is to capture the feeling they got when they rented a van for the first time in Iceland.Ā
Six different campers are available to rent, starting at $230 per day. Whether youāve got a camping destination in mind or just want to unplug for the weekend, thereās a rental for you. Choose from options like the California Classic, a 2018 Ford Transit High Roof 2×2 that comfortably sleeps two. Or go bold with The West Coast Safari, a Jeep Gladiator with rooftop tents that sleep two to three people. Each rental is built for adventure, offering comfort, freedom, and a whole new way to explore the great outdoors.
The campers include everything from outdoor showers and a rooftop deck to a Marshall Bluetooth speaker and kitchen supplies. The Camper Cartel has thought of every last detail, including a Polaroid camera, outdoor grill, a hammock and even a fire starter all available to add on to each rental.
āEighty to 90% of renters are first-time camper van renters. Everything is straightforward and user-friendly,ā Bayusana explains. āRenters are so diverseāitās everyone from families to couples to people in their 70s!āĀ
From a design standpoint, the founders wanted to have a masculine and feminine balance. āThe interiors are fun and feminine, and the outside is a little more ruggedāit appeals to the ladies and the gentlemen!ā Bayusana laughs. Choose a curated road trip playlist before you hit the road, whether youāre headed to Big Sur, Joshua Tree or Yosemite.Ā
The vans are parked outside of Bayusanaās restaurant in Topanga: Topanga Living Cafe. āWe spent zero dollars on advertising; people saw our vans parked outside the restaurant when they were picking up food orders to take home, and [they] heard about The Camper Cartel that way,ā Bayusana says. Reservations were fully booked in June and July, and August dates are filling up quickly.Ā
This is a company with a mission. Theyāve put values in place that protect Mother Earth and the beauty of our planet. One percent of the total value of your trip will be donated to one of four causes. Customers can also choose to offset their trip by planting trees and supporting sustainable energy projects tied to their mileage. Itās an easy way to explore while giving back, making every mile driven a little more meaningful and eco-friendly.
āWe give people an outlet to travel responsibility; you’re fully self-contained in your vehicle to venture deep into nature. It couldn’t be a more perfect way to just get out for a bit,ā Bayusana says.Ā
Their next set of vehicles will be hybrid vehicles, and the company hopes to eventually have electric vans in the future.
The wanderlust is real, and now that itās all said and done, The Camper Cartel could not have been launched at a more perfect time. āThere is so much beauty in our backyard that people tend to forget about,ā says Bayusana. Camper vans are picked up at their main location in Topanga, which is just about a 35-minute drive from LAX. Pack a backpack, turn your phone off and book your luxurious, comfortable camper today.Ā Camper Van Rentals LA
The Camper Cartel
1704 N Topanga Canyon Blvd
Topanga, CA 90290
@thecampercartel Camper Van Rentals LA
Photography Provided By: The Camper Cartel: Patrick Mordi @patrickmordi,Ā Mike Bishop @mikebishoptv,Ā Ben Flynn @benflynn_ andĀ Drew Hermann @drew_hermannĀ Camper Van Rentals LA
Taylor is a graduate from the University of Southern California with a degree in journalism. She is our Los Angeles and Orange County editor. You can find her dining at a new restaurant, in the ocean or planning her next adventure. Say hello!
