Holiday Lights Roadtrip: Your merry RV itinerary
Don't Just See the Lights...Live the Season
It's the first week of December and the spirit of the holidays are becoming more and more alive as we see the planning of local holiday events—light festivals, parades, craft fairs, and tree lightings. These create the best holiday memories!
The RV Advantage: The RV is the essential tool that lets you turn an evening event into a stress-free mini-vacation. It's your cozy, mobile holiday headquarters. Imagine: Attending the Riverside Festival of Lights and having your own warm space for dinner, changing out of formal clothes, and a short drive to your overnight spot afterward. It's a homey abode wherever the holiday spirit takes you.
Why an RV is the Essential Holiday Command Center
RV rentals are never the first thing that comes to mind when you hear "holiday vacation", but its flexibility and comfort (especially while visiting events) makes RVs the ultimate holiday planning helper. Whether travel trailer, or fifth-wheel, an RV creates a convenient solution for reducing holiday anxiety!
🏠 Stress-Free Home Base: Skip the expensive hotel booking and the chaotic drive home. Park near the event and have a cozy haven waiting.
☕ Catering Your Comfort: Use the kitchenette for pre-event dinners, hot cocoa refills, and quick breakfast before hitting the road again. RV Rentals Way of Life has fully functioning kitchens to cook all your favorite meals or even store all your leftovers from local restaurants and food trucks,
📦 Storage for Gifts & Gear: Room to safely store handmade craft fair finds, extra blankets, and bulky event gear. We have ample interior and exterior storage to make sure you don't have to compromise any packing.
🎁 Elevate the Tradition: Transform a single day of lights viewing into a full, unforgettable 2-day festive road trip experience.
Interested in creating an even more immersive Christmas light itinerary? Then maybe a class A motorhome may be perfect for you and your family
Why an Motorhome is the ULTIMATE Lights Viewing Vehicle
The Motorhome Advantage: Using a rental RV for the ultimate lights tour. It's not just transportation—it's a mobile, cozy viewing party. Imagine: Being able to use the restroom, make hot cocoa in the kitchenette, or let the kids play a game while you wait in the slow-moving traffic lines. It's easier to see the reactions from your loved ones and see your children's faces light up when they see all the Christmas decorations. Using an RV contributes to the magic of the holidays that we all yearn for.
☕ Mobile Hot Cocoa Station: Use the RV stove/microwave for continuous hot drinks and snacks. RV Rentals Way of Life has large enough fridges to stock all of your favorite beverages. No more "Are we there yet?" hunger.
🚽 The Restroom Perk: No need to cut the trip short because someone needs a pit stop to a questionable public restroom. RV Rentals Way of Life offers private, clean and well-maintained restrooms in all of our trailers. Not to mention, there is no need to leave the RV to brace the cold.
🛋️ Comfort and View: Reclining seats, large windows, heaters, and room to stretch out make long routes enjoyable. Don't forget all of our pull-out beds too!
🎁 Family Tradition Starter: Make the RV rental the annual tradition your family looks forward to every December. It's an affordable option and often much more affordable than hotels and Airbnbs.
A motorhome is an all-in-one travel hack because it serves as your transportation, lodging, and memory maker! Explore our Class C motorhomes, your best friend for a compact utility recreational vehicle.
III. The Local Guide: Best Displays Near Hemet & Coachella
Ready to book your holiday ride? You can start your lights adventure from one of our two convenient locations: Hemet, CA or Coachella, CA!
Here are the best holiday light routes accessible from both the Inland Empire and the Desert regions:
| Destination/Route | Best Pickup Point | RV Trip Tip |
| The Inland Empire Classic: Riverside's Festival of Lights | Hemet Pickup (Approx. 45 min – 1 hr drive) | This display is stunning, but parking is tight. Park your RV at a nearby spot (like a metered lot a few blocks away) and enjoy the short walk to the Mission Inn for the full spectacle! |
| Desert Extravaganza: The Palm Springs/Coachella Valley Loop | Coachella Pickup (Right in our backyard!) | Drive the classic neighborhoods of Indian Canyons (Palm Springs) and Rancho Mirage. Rent a comfortable Class C and take your time cruising the illuminated streets with continuous hot drinks onboard. |
| The Drive-Thru Experience: Local Fairgrounds/Parks | Hemet or Coachella (Check local listings!) | Many local fairgrounds or parks (like in Perris or Indio) offer dedicated drive-thru light tunnels. This is where the RV wins! Rent a high-top RV for the best vertical views over low-lying displays. Here are a couple options in neighboring cities:
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| The Coastal Holiday: Dana Point Harbor | Hemet Pickup (Approx. 1.5-2 hour drive) | If you want a full overnight trip, head to the coast! The Dana Point Harbor boat parades are incredible. Use your RV for a weekend stay at a nearby campground and make it a whole weekend escape. |
Temecula Valley Christmas Itinerary:
| Itinerary Focus | Pickup Point | Destination & Event Highlights (First Week of Dec) | RV Trip Strategy & Overnight Spot |
| Inland Empire Festive Fun | Hemet, CA | Day 1: Old Town Holiday Kick-Off Event: Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Temecula Duck Pond (Dec 1st) or the Holiday Taste of Old Town (Dec 3rd). Focus: Enjoy live music, treats, and the festive small-town atmosphere. | Overnight Spot: Drive your RV a short distance to Pechanga RV Resort or Temecula KOA at Vail Lake. Enjoy your cozy RV kitchen for dinner and skip the traffic! |
| Old Town & Parade Weekend | Hemet, CA | Day 2: Santa's Electric Light Parade (Friday, Dec 5th, 7:00 PM in Old Town). Focus: Watch the dazzling parade of floats and lights in the heart of Temecula. Tip: Visit Santa's cozy cottage at Pennypickle's Workshop earlier in the day! | RV Strategy: Park your RV at an area like the Temecula Community Center early (many roads close at 6 PM). The RV becomes your warm base for sitting and waiting, with cocoa and restrooms on demand! Other nearby campgrounds include: Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes Menifee or Launch Pointe Lake Elsinore. These two campgrounds tend to have jam packed schedules of on-site events and activities to enjoy as well! |
| Wine Country Winter Magic | Hemet, CA | Day 3: European Holiday Market at Europa Village (Ongoing). Focus: Experience a stunning European-inspired winter wonderland with carolers, shopping, and unique dining (like the Igloo di Vino experience). | Overnight Spot: Book a stay at Vail Lake KOA RV Resort or one of the RV resorts near the wineries for a relaxing, scenic Sunday morning before dropping the RV off. |
Coachella Valley Christmas Itinerary:
| Itinerary Focus | Pickup Point | Destination & Event Highlights (First Week of Dec) | RV Trip Strategy & Overnight Spot |
| Desert Light Spectacular | Coachella, CA | Day 1: Light Immersion Event: Magic of Lights Coachella Valley at the Empire Polo Club (Indio). This is a spectacular drive-thru event that the whole family can enjoy from the comfort of the RV! Focus: An easy, high-impact light show right near your pickup location. | RV Strategy: The "Magic of Lights" is designed for cars, making your RV the ultimate viewing box! Park at a nearby RV park like Indian Waters RV Resort after the show for a cozy end to the evening. |
| The Wild Animal Adventure | Coachella, CA | Day 2 (Evening): WildLights at the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens. Event: Walk-through light display with millions of lights, a carousel, and s'mores stations! (Runs through Dec). Focus: A unique, family-friendly event mixing lights with wildlife. | Overnight Spot: Stay at the Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA or a central resort like Palm Springs Oasis RV Resort. This gives you an easy launch point for other Palm Springs-area events the next day. |
| Classic Palm Springs Cheer | Coachella, CA | Day 2 (Daytime/Evening): Downtown Holiday Charm Event: Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade (typically the first Saturday in Dec). Focus: Dazzling floats, Macy's-style balloons, and Santa! OR Visit the Holiday Market at VillageFest on Palm Canyon Drive (Thursdays in Dec). | RV Strategy: For the parade, arrive early and park your RV in a lot on the periphery of the route (Palm Canyon Drive). Use the RV as your warm changing station, snack hub, and restroom before claiming your spots! |
Don't let this December fly by in a scramble! Secure your comfortable, flexible, and fully equipped RV now to make these holiday events truly memorable. Renting is simple and even just 2-3 night rentals are perfect for these holiday weekend itineraries. If you are feeling extra adventurous and festive, book a longer stay. We offer discounts for extended reservations. Be quick, because Decembers book fast! Merry RV Christmas!
Looking for a new way to celebrate the holiday season?
Rent an RV from RV Rentals Way of Life!
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We will even deliver and set-up your RV to your desired location!
Call or text 951-691-1244
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