One of the most common questions we get at Sandy Vans is, "What should we eat on our camper van rental trip?" It's a great question, and one that can make or break your adventure.
Whether you're taking a San Diego camper van rental to explore iconic National Parks like Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Sequoia, or Yosemite, heading to California State Parks like Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Palomar Mountain, or Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, or simply escaping the city for a weekend of van camping, a little meal planning goes a long way.
Everyone has different tastes, but after years of personal adventures and countless camper van trips, we've found a handful of meals that are easy to prepare, require minimal cleanup, and somehow taste even better when enjoyed around a campfire.
One Less Thing to Worry About
One of the best parts of booking a camper van rental in San Diego with Sandy Vans is that nearly everything you need is already included. Besides our exceptional customer service, we've spent years fine-tuning our vans with all the little extras that make camping easier and more enjoyable.
Our camper vans come stocked with items like:
- Bluetooth speaker
- Fire starters
- Outdoor porch mat from CGEAR
- Cozy blankets
- Shower towels
- Two-way radios
- BioLite Solar String Lights or Devos Camp Lights
- Chess and playing cards
- Emergency toilet from Trelino
- Fully equipped camp kitchen with pots, pans, utensils, plates, cups, spices, and cooking essentials
That means you can skip packing half your garage. Besides clothes, groceries, and maybe some firewood, the biggest decision you'll have to make is what's for dinner.
Breakfast
Camp Breakfast Scramble
If you're willing to spend about 30 minutes prepping before your trip, this is hard to beat.
Boil a large batch of potatoes until tender. Once they've cooled, dice them into bite sized cubes and pan fry them in avocado oil until they're crispy and golden brown. Let them cool before storing them in an airtight container. Also pre dice the veggies and bring them along.
When morning rolls around at camp:
- Reheat the potatoes in a lightly buttered or oiled skillet.
- Crack in a few eggs.
- Toss in diced onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, or whatever vegetables you like.
- Sprinkle on cheese once everything is heated up if you're feeling ambitious.
You'll have a hearty breakfast that rivals most diners and fuels a full day of hiking, surfing, climbing, or exploring California.
Oatmeal
Simple. Cheap. Filling. Just boil water, stir in your favorite oatmeal packets, and customize with fruit, nuts, peanut butter, cinnamon, or brown sugar. It may not be glamorous, but it's one of the easiest breakfasts you can make while camper van camping.
Dehydrated Meals
Rehydrated eggs don't sound particularly appealing, but companies like Mountain House, Backpacker's Pantry, and Peak Refuel do a respectable job with freeze dried eggs. Breakfast is the weakest category in the dehydrated and freeze dried meal world, but these meals are incredibly convenient, high in protein, and perfect when you want to hit the trail early.
Our current favorite: the Peak Refuel Breakfast Skillet with Eggs, Sausage, Potatoes and Peppers. It's more than respectable. It's awesome.
Pro tips: If you go with the Mountain House Breakfast Skillet, pour in a little less water than they recommend to avoid a soupy egg breakfast. For all the brands, when the package says 2 servings, that's really more like 1 serving unless you want a light meal.
And whatever breakfast you choose, don't forget the hot sauce.
Lunch
Every California camper van road trip has its own pace. Some days you'll spend hours relaxing around camp. Other days you'll be squeezing in a hike, paddle, mountain bike ride, or scenic drive before sunset. We're usually in the second group, so lunch tends to be quick.
Make Ahead Sandwiches
Build your sandwiches during breakfast, toss them in the fridge, and you're good to go wherever the day takes you. Turkey, roast beef, peanut butter and jelly, tuna salad. It's hard to go wrong.
Snack Style
Sometimes lunch is more of a rolling buffet than an actual meal. Simple foods mean less cleanup and more time enjoying your adventure.
Some of our favorites include:
- Clif Bars
- Beef jerky
- Trail mix
- Fresh fruit
- Chips with guacamole, salsa, or hummus
Dinner
Dinner is where camp cooking shines. After a day exploring California's incredible parks, almost anything tastes amazing around a campfire. Grab your headlamp and start preparing a camp feast.
Chef Woo High Protein Ramen
Our current favorite is Chef Woo's Spicy Tequila Lime ramen. Add grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, or vegetables, and you've transformed an inexpensive packet of ramen into a surprisingly satisfying camp dinner.
The All American Camp Meal
Hot dogs and burgers. Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason. Throw them over the campfire, toast your buns, and enjoy.
Hobo Chili
This one has become a team favorite. Heat up your favorite canned chili, then top it with a generous handful of Fritos. Simple. Delicious. Minimal cleanup. Maximum happiness.
Cardiff Crack Tri Tip
If you're from North County San Diego, you already know about Cardiff Crack from Seaside Market. If you don't, you're in for a treat. Throw this legendary marinated tri tip over a campground grill, slice it thin, and pair it with roasted vegetables or garlic bread. It might just become the best meal of your entire camper van vacation.
Good To Go Thai Curry
Saving the best for last. This dehydrated meal is absolutely phenomenal. We're admittedly biased because we love curry, but every guest we've recommended it to has come back raving about it. If you're only buying one dehydrated backpacking meal for your trip, make it this one.
Don't Overthink the Brands
REI carries a good selection of dehydrated backpacking meals. Some are definitely better than others, but most are surprisingly good after a long day outdoors. Browse the aisle, pick the meals that sound good, and don't get too hung up on the brand. Half the fun is trying something new.
Dessert
There is only one correct answer. S'mores. Nothing goes better with a crackling campfire. It's practically a requirement for any family camper van trip.
Final Thoughts
One of the best parts about traveling in a Sandy Vans camper van rental is that cooking becomes part of the adventure instead of a chore. With a fully equipped camp kitchen already included, you'll spend less time worrying about what you forgot and more time making memories around the campfire.
Whether you're planning a weekend escape to Joshua Tree, a scenic Highway 395 road trip to the Owens River Valley, or an unforgettable California National Parks adventure, a little meal planning goes a long way.
Pack simple ingredients, embrace easy recipes, and don't stress about making gourmet meals. After a day spent hiking, surfing, fishing, climbing, or exploring, almost everything tastes incredible outdoors.
If you're ready to experience California the way it was meant to be explored, book your next San Diego camper van rental with Sandy Vans and let the adventure, and the camp cooking, begin!
