G
Grizwald
First Impressions of the VW T7 California Beach: Our First Camp
We’ve just come back from our first proper camping trip in our VW T7 California Beach, so I thought I’d share some honest first impressions for anyone considering one.
Overall, we’re really pleased with it.
For context, we moved from an electric VW ID.7, which is a genuinely very good car. Comfortable, loads of tech, plenty of kit and ridiculously refined to drive.
The first thing I noticed is that although, on paper, the California isn’t massively bigger, it definitely feels it when you first drive it. You sit higher, it feels wider and you’re more aware of the size, especially parking and manoeuvring.
That said, after a few days it quickly started to feel normal.
What surprised me most is how little I actually miss the ID.7. The ID.7 is objectively a nicer drive in a lot of ways and has more tech than most people will ever use, but honestly, 99% of it I haven’t missed. The California still feels modern, comfortable and easy to live with.
The trade off feels worth it for what the van gives you in return.
We deliberately went for the California Beach rather than the Coast or Ocean.
For us, we wanted a practical family car that could also sleep four when we wanted an adventure. This will be our main family vehicle, not a second leisure vehicle that spends most of its life parked up.
The Beach just made more sense for how we’ll actually use it.
It still works as an everyday people carrier, school run car and family wagon, but with the bonus that you can head off for a weekend and sleep in it.
The Beach felt like the better compromise.
First camp
The first trip was brilliant, although there’s definitely a learning curve.
You quickly realise organisation matters. Space is good for what it is, but you can’t just throw gear everywhere like you might in a tent or caravan. After one trip we were already learning what we actually used and what was unnecessary clutter. I think I'll get an awning. Of nothing else just somewhere to chuck everything into to help with organisation as I felt like I was constantly moving things around, arrival, then to put the ned down then again when the bed got put away.
The pop top is great and there’s something genuinely satisfying about pulling onto site, popping the roof and being set up in minutes. Its a huge hit with our 7 and 10 year old too.
The fridge has been one of those surprisingly brilliant additions too. The beach doesnt come with one. We bought one and it’s already getting used far more than expected. We’ve found ourselves picking the kids up from school, parking up somewhere nice, having dinner and just enjoying being outdoors a bit more. It sounds simple, but it changes how you use the vehicle. It feels less like a car and more like something that encourages you to make the most of your time.
Sleeping was better than expected too. It takes a bit of getting organised and working out where everything goes, but once you get a system I can see it being really good.
Spec I’d recommend
If you’re ordering one, I’d definitely spec the Parking Pack. For something this size it just makes life easier and takes the stress out of tight spaces. Manual roof is up amd down in a matter of seconds.
One option I’m glad we’ve got is the parking heater. I can already tell that’ll massively extend the camping season and make shoulder season trips far more comfortable.
Looking ahead
We’ve got a six week driving holiday around Europe planned this summer and I actually think this is where the California will really come into its own.
For short UK weekends it’s already been great, but having the flexibility to stop where you want, eat when you want, chill out somewhere scenic and have sleeping space with you all the time feels like exactly what this sort of vehicle was designed for.
I think the extra space and versatility will really prove themselves on a longer trip.
Overall
Early days, but after the first camp we’re really happy with it.
For us, it feels like the sweet spot between family car and adventure vehicle. You can still do the practical day to day stuff, but at the same time decide on a Friday that you fancy heading somewhere for the weekend.
That flexibility is probably the thing we like most so far.
We’ve just come back from our first proper camping trip in our VW T7 California Beach, so I thought I’d share some honest first impressions for anyone considering one.
Overall, we’re really pleased with it.
For context, we moved from an electric VW ID.7, which is a genuinely very good car. Comfortable, loads of tech, plenty of kit and ridiculously refined to drive.
The first thing I noticed is that although, on paper, the California isn’t massively bigger, it definitely feels it when you first drive it. You sit higher, it feels wider and you’re more aware of the size, especially parking and manoeuvring.
That said, after a few days it quickly started to feel normal.
What surprised me most is how little I actually miss the ID.7. The ID.7 is objectively a nicer drive in a lot of ways and has more tech than most people will ever use, but honestly, 99% of it I haven’t missed. The California still feels modern, comfortable and easy to live with.
The trade off feels worth it for what the van gives you in return.
We deliberately went for the California Beach rather than the Coast or Ocean.
For us, we wanted a practical family car that could also sleep four when we wanted an adventure. This will be our main family vehicle, not a second leisure vehicle that spends most of its life parked up.
The Beach just made more sense for how we’ll actually use it.
It still works as an everyday people carrier, school run car and family wagon, but with the bonus that you can head off for a weekend and sleep in it.
The Beach felt like the better compromise.
First camp
The first trip was brilliant, although there’s definitely a learning curve.
You quickly realise organisation matters. Space is good for what it is, but you can’t just throw gear everywhere like you might in a tent or caravan. After one trip we were already learning what we actually used and what was unnecessary clutter. I think I'll get an awning. Of nothing else just somewhere to chuck everything into to help with organisation as I felt like I was constantly moving things around, arrival, then to put the ned down then again when the bed got put away.
The pop top is great and there’s something genuinely satisfying about pulling onto site, popping the roof and being set up in minutes. Its a huge hit with our 7 and 10 year old too.
The fridge has been one of those surprisingly brilliant additions too. The beach doesnt come with one. We bought one and it’s already getting used far more than expected. We’ve found ourselves picking the kids up from school, parking up somewhere nice, having dinner and just enjoying being outdoors a bit more. It sounds simple, but it changes how you use the vehicle. It feels less like a car and more like something that encourages you to make the most of your time.
Sleeping was better than expected too. It takes a bit of getting organised and working out where everything goes, but once you get a system I can see it being really good.
Spec I’d recommend
If you’re ordering one, I’d definitely spec the Parking Pack. For something this size it just makes life easier and takes the stress out of tight spaces. Manual roof is up amd down in a matter of seconds.
One option I’m glad we’ve got is the parking heater. I can already tell that’ll massively extend the camping season and make shoulder season trips far more comfortable.
Looking ahead
We’ve got a six week driving holiday around Europe planned this summer and I actually think this is where the California will really come into its own.
For short UK weekends it’s already been great, but having the flexibility to stop where you want, eat when you want, chill out somewhere scenic and have sleeping space with you all the time feels like exactly what this sort of vehicle was designed for.
I think the extra space and versatility will really prove themselves on a longer trip.
Overall
Early days, but after the first camp we’re really happy with it.
For us, it feels like the sweet spot between family car and adventure vehicle. You can still do the practical day to day stuff, but at the same time decide on a Friday that you fancy heading somewhere for the weekend.
That flexibility is probably the thing we like most so far.
