RV Destinations for BC Snowbirds
We get it - when the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fly that’s your signal to get out of Chilliwack! Fortunately, you’re an RV owner with the freedom to travel just about anywhere your wheels can take you. So instead of spending weeks winterizing your RV for off-season storage, embrace the snowbird life and check out some of these sunny camping and vacation destinations south of the border!
Where to Vacation Outside of BC
Palm Springs/Palm Desert, California
Palm Springs (and it’s lesser-known yet equally beautiful neighbour Palm Desert) is a prime destination for BC snowbirds. Driveable in just shy of 24 hours if you stick to major highways, it’s a straight trip south from Chilliwack where you’ll get to take in breathtakingly beautiful landscapes as you pass through Washington, Oregon and California. Add a few extra hours to the drive and you can take California’s Pacific Coast Highway nearly the entire way, which has been hailed as one of the most scenic drives in the world. As you slowly watch the snow and mountains melt away into rolling golden hills and sand dunes, Palm Springs welcomes you with a plethora of restaurants, shopping, golf, shows, accessible hikes (Indian Canyons are not to be missed!), resorts and RV parks. If you plan a New Year’s Day launch, you can make it to the city in time for the Palm Springs International Film Festival, which takes place during the first two weeks of January each year. To soak in one of the most unique desert landscapes in North America, head to nearby Joshua Tree National Park for unbeatable camping and relaxation under the warm California sun.
Arizona
It is estimated that nearly 300,000 Canadian snowbirds “fly” to Arizona to temporarily escape our cold climate each year! Arizona has dozens of fantastic locations to settle into for the winter, including Mohave Valley, Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, Scottsdale and Fort McDowell where you can enjoy restaurants, golf, shopping and so much more. The approximately 26-hour drive from Chilliwack will take you through Washington, Idaho and Utah where you can visit one (or more!) of Utah’s 5 National Parks before you reach your destination. As cooler winter temperatures descend into the desert, you’ll be able to comfortably enjoy hiking through Utah and Arizona’s many canyons where you’ll see some of the most unique rock formations in the world. Arizona is primed and prepped to receive thousands of Canadian snowbirds each year, so you’ll have no trouble finding an RV campground or one of their famed resort parks to call home for the winter.
South Padre Island, Texas.
South Padre Island is as close to a tropical paradise as you can get without leaving the US or getting on an airplane. This barrier island off the south coast of Texas features 34-kilometers of coastline, with calm waters, warm temperatures and a relaxed island vibe. Animal enthusiasts will love that South Padre Island is situated on a major bird migratory path, is home to the South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sealife Nature Center and Sea Turtle Inc. Rehabilitation Center for rescued sea turtles. At just over 4000km south-east of Chilliwack, you’ll have the opportunity to drive through multiple US states, taking in both mountain and desert landscapes before arriving at your coastal paradise. South Padre Island is growing in popularity as a prime snowbird vacation destination, so you’ll have no problem finding an RV park on the island - just consider making your reservations in advance!
O’Connor is Your RV Travel Expert!
Whatever your travel plans this season, O’Connor RV is here to help. Our experts will help you find the perfect RV for your lifestyle, whether you need a lightweight trailer that will comfortably get you get from destination to destination or a luxury RV with enough space to house the whole family. Our finance team is here to help you create a realistic budget and can explain how an RV lifestyle can help you save money, plus give you tips on where to splurge. Our service team will examine your RV from top to bottom, making sure you feel safe and secure when you set out for your adventure. There are no barriers that can’t be overcome with O’Connor RV by your side! Give us a call today to find out more about how to make your snowbird dreams a reality!
