New to California life

Hello
We got our California T6 at the end of the summer last year and only now getting around to making it our own.
This forum has been so helpful in getting me started however I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with what to buy and how to make in work for our family of 4 (my kids are 4 and 2). We went away for 1 night last week and it ended in a lot of tears, I would really appreciate your tips on how it works for your families.

Hi and welcome to the Cali family.
Kids of 4 and 2 should be loving it. What were the tears over, and from whom, the kids or your wife, and over what?

KellyMoorcroft said:

Hello
We got our California T6 at the end of the summer last year and only now getting around to making it our own.
This forum has been so helpful in getting me started however I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with what to buy and how to make in work for our family of 4 (my kids are 4 and 2). We went away for 1 night last week and it ended in a lot of tears, I would really appreciate your tips on how it works for your families.

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Welcome to the real world of trying to live in a tiny box vs the glamour shown in the brochure and Instagram. I always warn if you are coming from proper camping then the transition is easy, but if you are coming from luxury airbnbs, then it's hard work.
I was going to point you to the calicamperfamily on YouTube, (3 daughters, living in Italy) but remember they have moved up to a bigger van. I think the best Cali experience they had was on the trip back to the UK to sell it, when they really only took the absolute essentials. The most important thing to 'take' is space in a cupboard, otherwise you are fighting the van with every move.
Many will tell you a drive away awning is the answer, although personally I find them to be the work of the devil.
Whatever the answer will be for your circumstances, practice and use is the only way to find it, so you need to brave yourself for some more tears before it starts to get better, then wonderful.

SusiBus said:

Hi and welcome to the Cali family.
Kids of 4 and 2 should be loving it. What were the tears over, and from whom, the kids or your wife, and over what?

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Assuming a husband wrote this

Am expecting my Cali later in the year and my kids will be a similar age to yours so will be watching this with interest! The Mrs and I have agreed that our first couple of overnighters will be without the kids so we can really get used to the van and how everything works without the additional pressures and stresses of having to watch them. Will also give us a feel for what is and isn’t essential for us to pack. Could be worth a go?

We bought ours in 2008 when my wife was pregnant with our first child. Our kids are now 13 and 10. We still have the same van.

Both our two love camping, and us taking a big tote bag of toys, pens and paper. On our summer holiday my wife packs them both a couple of new presents - often Lego etc. They like that they get to eat cereals they don’t get at home and have bbqs etc.

I always quiz them about what they like doing, pools vs beaches etc - often not what you expect.

We have definitely had tears although usually after 3 days of rain.

I’m guessing some of your family tears may be around getting kids to sleep?? We stick to similar routines to home. Read them a story etc. We are very fair weather campers who love camping in France and Spain so they sleep downstairs and then we sit outside reading our kindles. Ours are ok at sharing the bed, even now.

We always take a v small pop up tent which we chuck in the car seats, prams etc when we arrive, to make more room.

It would be good if you could add some details about what is causing the tears…

Camping with young kids will typically involve tears somewhere along the way. However, our experience is that the smiles far outweigh the tears and it’s those that we tend to remember.

It also gets much easier with practice and kids having experienced the bedtime and morning routines. We started when our eldest two were 3 and 1. We now have three kids - 8,6,2 - and whilst it’s not always straightforward, it’s much easier. Stick with it would be my advice - prepare ahead and pack little.

Have you previously been campers before getting the California? We camped for years in a tent before getting our Beach and treat it just the same as camping. Bedtimes are always later when camping. Our children are 8, 10 and 12 and we actually find it easier all going to bed at the same time now as it was a bit of a palava trying to get changed around a portapoti and a dog with 3 kids asleep in the van.
We have a trailer we tow which has all our camping gear in so all that’s in the van is our clothes and shoes. We only ever stay on campsites so don’t have an issue with a trailer. We also have the Vanessa bags which are great for storing the night time stuff and things which don’t have a ‘place’ in the van.

SusiBus said:

Hi and welcome to the Cali family.
Kids of 4 and 2 should be loving it. What were the tears over, and from whom, the kids or your wife, and over what?

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I thought I might get picked up on this. Sorry about the, is it called sexism.

Camperfamily said:

. We now have three kids - 8,6,2

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Hi, I have ordered my first Cali and have three kids. 8,5 and 2. It would be great if you could start a thread to share your tips for living with the Cali with three kids under ten.

SusiBus said:

I thought I might get picked up on this. Sorry about the, is it called sexism.

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Thank you for your replies
Well, it was an accumulation of different things - but not actually tears from me (the wife)
The kids are not great at travelling (i've got the travel sickness bands so hopefully this will help - any other tips?) and they were very confused about why we were staying in a field next to cows (we booked a very basic camp site with only a horrible portaloo)
They are proper city kids and husband - which I am trying very hard to reverse with our new campervan adventures. I am used to camping having done so every summer as a child, either in a tent or a small towing caravan.
I had thought buying more stuff to get us through would be the answer, but from some of the replies I am understanding that maybe less is more. Just the essentials - which I am still trying to figure out what these are.
I am so excited about our adventures, and am aware that with most things involving being a parent- managing expectation v reality is always key. It's not going to be instagram but I am excited for the fun and happy memories.

Jimmylondon07 said:

Am expecting my Cali later in the year and my kids will be a similar age to yours so will be watching this with interest! The Mrs and I have agreed that our first couple of overnighters will be without the kids so we can really get used to the van and how everything works without the additional pressures and stresses of having to watch them. Will also give us a feel for what is and isn’t essential for us to pack. Could be worth a go?

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Thanks, that is a good idea - we are going to Glastonbury next month without the kids so could see how that goes.
Would be good to just get time to figure out how everything works. I am finding new things all the time, it is such a great design!

I camp a lot but my wife has never done so. For me it was easy but if I am going with my wife I always book a decent campsite with good facilities. Hopefully get her used to camping before we do offgrid.
Maybe you could book one of the luxury campsites to get them motivated!

KellyMoorcroft said:

Thank you for your replies
Well, it was an accumulation of different things - but not actually tears from me (the wife)
The kids are not great at travelling (i've got the travel sickness bands so hopefully this will help - any other tips?) and they were very confused about why we were staying in a field next to cows (we booked a very basic camp site with only a horrible portaloo)
They are proper city kids and husband - which I am trying very hard to reverse with our new campervan adventures. I am used to camping having done so every summer as a child, either in a tent or a small towing caravan.
I had thought buying more stuff to get us through would be the answer, but from some of the replies I am understanding that maybe less is more. Just the essentials - which I am still trying to figure out what these are.
I am so excited about our adventures, and am aware that with most things involving being a parent- managing expectation v reality is always key. It's not going to be instagram but I am excited for the fun and happy memories.

Click to expand...

My kids are very much city kids too. Their memories of camping holidays when younger are all about what friends they made there, what games they played, other things of interest like chickens or a good campsite shop! Maybe go somewhere with extra activities, small animals or a good play area? One site we stayed at last year did tractor rides for all the kids every afternoon they all loved it (Elmwicke nr cheltenham). You'll have some amazing trips to make up for the odd dodgy one I'm sure

Old ice cream tubs for the travel sick episodes!


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Welcome, Kelly.

I'm quite sure that between the friendly and insightful peeps on here, and your evident determination to turn those tears into laughter and joy, you'll soon be having amazing adventures in your Cali.

California Dreamer said:

My kids are very much city kids too. Their memories of camping holidays when younger are all about what friends they made there, what games they played, other things of interest like chickens or a good campsite shop! Maybe go somewhere with extra activities, small animals or a good play area? One site we stayed at last year did tractor rides for all the kids every afternoon they all loved it (Elmwicke nr cheltenham). You'll have some amazing trips to make up for the odd dodgy one I'm sure

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Sounds good, I will check it out. Thinking we will stick to UK and Ireland this year and then further afield into the rest of Europe next year. Any other good campsites with activities for kids (and a bar nearby for husband) would be greatly appreciated

Wannabecamperman said:

Welcome, Kelly. View attachment 108522

I'm quite sure that between the friendly and insightful peeps on here, and your evident determination to turn those tears into laughter and joy, you'll soon be having amazing adventures in your Cali.

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Thank you, that's lovely

KellyMoorcroft said:

Thank you for your replies
Well, it was an accumulation of different things - but not actually tears from me (the wife)
The kids are not great at travelling (i've got the travel sickness bands so hopefully this will help - any other tips?) and they were very confused about why we were staying in a field next to cows (we booked a very basic camp site with only a horrible portaloo)
They are proper city kids and husband - which I am trying very hard to reverse with our new campervan adventures. I am used to camping having done so every summer as a child, either in a tent or a small towing caravan.
I had thought buying more stuff to get us through would be the answer, but from some of the replies I am understanding that maybe less is more. Just the essentials - which I am still trying to figure out what these are.
I am so excited about our adventures, and am aware that with most things involving being a parent- managing expectation v reality is always key. It's not going to be instagram but I am excited for the fun and happy memories.

Click to expand...

Welcome here. You have bought a great vehicle that is certainly capable of being the key to opening up city kids eyes to the wider world. But the road trip isn’t, for us, the point of the van, it’s what we do where we’re there. So if you’ve got carsick kids, look closer to home. No need to slog for miles to sit in a different field, I bet there are great places to spend time within an hour of home.
No need either to sit in fields with horrible toilets. Plenty of threads on here about great camp sites. Some are happy with their book in a field with a bbq. Others prefer a hot shower, a walk along a river to a pub meal. Each to their own - You just need to work out what will keep the kids entertained.
No shame in watching a screen in the evening, if it’s raining. I have a screen and nebula projector. But keeping kids busy is key. And giving them parts to play in setting up and taking down, lighting fires, cooking, destination finding…it’s all part of it.
Don’t despair, answers will come

KellyMoorcroft said:

Sounds good, I will check it out. Thinking we will stick to UK and Ireland this year and then further afield into the rest of Europe next year. Any other good campsites with activities for kids (and a bar nearby for husband) would be greatly appreciated

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Show caves for the kids and a pub across the road.

Just spotted kids age maybe better in a few more years.

KellyMoorcroft said:

Thank you for your replies
Well, it was an accumulation of different things - but not actually tears from me (the wife)
The kids are not great at travelling (i've got the travel sickness bands so hopefully this will help - any other tips?) and they were very confused about why we were staying in a field next to cows (we booked a very basic camp site with only a horrible portaloo)
They are proper city kids and husband - which I am trying very hard to reverse with our new campervan adventures. I am used to camping having done so every summer as a child, either in a tent or a small towing caravan.
I had thought buying more stuff to get us through would be the answer, but from some of the replies I am understanding that maybe less is more. Just the essentials - which I am still trying to figure out what these are.
I am so excited about our adventures, and am aware that with most things involving being a parent- managing expectation v reality is always key. It's not going to be instagram but I am excited for the fun and happy memories.

Click to expand...

Oh wow. Good for you. Thanks for more details. I will try and provide some tips. You can do this.
I’ll leave you with this for now. Every year I do an album after our summer holiday. Here they are

If the house catches fire, apart from my family, these are the only things I would save.

Have a look at this thread

I went and had a look at our 2015 album when our kids were 2 and 5.
As far as what you need to buy, I would say plates, bedding, kids chairs, a low kids play table, picnic rug. A Weber travel bbq maybe. The other question is whether you need a shelter or awning. For years we took a v small ‘pup’ tent which I put car seats, prams, nappies and most of the contents of the top of the boot. I had 2x64 litre Really Useful boxes in the bottom boot and 1 64 litre box on the top which could be chucked in this store tent to quickly make space. After a wet trip to Brittany I got us a brilliant pop up shelter (Cinch equivalent) which I put up if we’re somewhere a few days. We take bikes to New Forest and France.

Every morning we can have a very lazy morning drinking coffee. The kids like cereal variety packs that always starts the day off well. We then put out the picnic blanket, low play table and toy bag (a tote full of stuff, pens paper and in 2015 Octonauts!). Looking at pictures they seem to be doing Usborne sticker books. They would play for ages. I like this lounging around in the morning. But we definitely took a lot of stuff to entertain the kids. They would occasionally get on their bike and explore a little. We often camp in view of - but never next to - a campsite playground. Sometimes they make friends. Our two would often invent a club. I remember them invent a set of rules for ‘Waffle Club’.
By coincidence, 2015 was one of our best summer holidays. We went to a site called Camping Au Bois Joli Andryes 4 hrs from Calais. There was an incredibly shallow kids pool surrounded by water toys. Our kids played safely for hours. I even read a book.Most evenings there was a classic ‘mini disco’. My daughter loved it. Twice a week there was a camp fire and marshmallows. And there was an on site pizza restaurant that was very good. It was such a great time we went back twice but 2015 and the kids pool was definitely the best year.

Camping Au Bois Joli

Brevedent in Normandy also 2015

In England we go to Roundhill in the New Forest a lot but now the showers have shut we will go to others sites in the same chain. Cycling in the New Forest is awesome.
We camp on the North Norfolk Coast where there are massive empty beaches where we walk and walk. Our kids love camping but aren’t actually super active tree climbing types. All walks and days out only really happen after detailed picnic and meal out discussions/negotiations. They do like sites with a playground and or animals. Abroad a pool is a must. After dinner we usually play a game. We have been playing Travel Guess Who for years and years.

I suppose it’s pretty self evident that for us warm weather is a key component and for that Eurotunnel and France are the foundation of a great holiday. During Covid we did one summer in Dorset. It was so windy I couldn’t light the bbq and every time I stood up my chair blew over. I swore ‘never again’. You could go for broke, buy Cool Camping France and book Eurotunnel in August!?

KellyMoorcroft said:

The kids are not great at travelling (i've got the travel sickness bands so hopefully this will help - any other tips?) and they were very confused about why we were staying in a field next to cows (we booked a very basic camp site with only a horrible portaloo)

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A couple of tips. Re the travel sickness, it might help if you move the rear seat as far forward as you can.
Try using quality campsites with great facilities to start with. This will help bring other family members on board, more basic camping can come later when confidence in the Cali and camping experience has improved. As above, keep it simple.

KellyMoorcroft said:

Sounds good, I will check it out. Thinking we will stick to UK and Ireland this year and then further afield into the rest of Europe next year. Any other good campsites with activities for kids (and a bar nearby for husband) would be greatly appreciated

Click to expand...

We have a 4 and 2 year old. We also got our van late summer. (Glasto next month will also be our first trip without the kids!)

Hopefully some of the info below on how we started using the van might help.

It took us about 6 weekend trips and countless days messing with the van at home before we felt like we knew what we were fully doing. (We have since spent about 40 nights in the van).

I would recommend “Masons Campsite” in Appletreewick in the Yorkshire Dales. Or if it’s too far look for something similar closer to you.

This was our first and favourite campsite as a family. Beautiful views. Next to a river with footpath (easy to take the kids for 10 mins to throw stones in the river if one of you needs to sort the van or cook without the kids about). Lots of animals about for the kids to look at. No playground but a huge field for playing on.

They have a coffee & bread shed (so an easy breakfast is Croissants and coffee. And I think they may do Pizza some nights now too)

It’s only about a 10 min walk from a great pub which does good food (Craven Arms).

If you stay somewhere with breakfast / meal options your learning how to adapt to being in the van you can easily eat out whilst you get the hang of things. Then introduce cooking on a later trip.

How we currently do weekend trips in the UK is below (we have a 3 seater Beach)

Friday: Just about getting there and setting up after work. (Easy picnic style tea taken from home). We throw a lot of stuff which doesn’t live in the van in a pop up toilet tent (car seats, kids bikes / backpack carrier / pushchair etc depending on what you take). We only spin the passenger chair. Drivers chair is moved as far forward it goes but it’s where we put all clothes

Let the kids have a quick explore of the campsite to get their bearings. Then get them to bed around 8pm.

(Both kids sleep ‘sideways’ upstairs. But it took about 8 nights before the kids were comfortable upstairs)

Once the kids are asleep we sit outside if the weather is good with a firepit and a drink. If the weather is bad we get in bed and read / watch something on the tablet.

Saturday: Lazy start to the day. With a short walk before lunch (or walk to a pub). After lunch our 2 year old naps upstairs and the 4 year old usually has some quite play time, Lego, sticker books etc (sometimes watches a film / cartoons if he is shattered from a walk whilst his sister naps. We have an iPad mount which goes on the drivers headrest)

After nap time we stay close to the campsite and start thinking about tea. Time seems to fly when camping because everything takes forever with the kids being young. If we manage 3 meals and a short walk in a day it’s a success.

If it’s a rainy day we leave downstairs in bed mode with the ceiling pushed up. As the kids can mess about on the bed it feels like more space. Take some toys from home incase the weather isn’t great. At first the kids played with their toys from home outside. But after a few trips we found they use the ‘home’ toys less and play with balls, buckets and sticks etc.

Sunday: Quick breakfast then tag team having the kids so we can get packed up (initially it took hours). If the kids get fussy when packing up we put them in their car seats and let them watch cartoons.

Once leaving the campsite we usually have a kid / family friendly activity planned for the Sunday. (Hesketh Farm Park is great if you do make it to the dales).

We let the kids have a good play / run about then some food and drive home. They usually sleep most of the way back because they are shattered.

Our 4 year old feels travel sick sometimes when he is tired. So we do our best to get him napping in the van on the way home. On the way there he never seems to feel as bad.

We have a Cinch Hub which we use instead of the ‘toilet tent’ if we take more stuff. (The first few times we went away the Cinch Hub was full because we took way too many things).

In terms of essentials what @Lambeth Cali describes above is very similar to what we take.

Even once you and the kids have got used to the van sometimes it will feel like hard work!

We packed up and went home one Saturday night because our little girl was teething and wouldn’t stop screaming.