General Questions
Budget, mid-range, luxury – what’s the difference?
The difference is the impression you wish to give your team, including accommodation style, luxury transportation and more. For example, staying in a boutique hotel with a premium San Francisco tour is quite different than staying in a budget hostel for an educational school field trip.
Please fill out our Planning Form to discover the best strategy for your team.
Where do your retreats depart from?
Downtown San Francisco. More retreats depart from Newport Beach in Orange County, such as on our VW Camper Offsite.
What private vehicles do you use?
The following vehicle combinations are used for safety, comfort and logistics:
- Intimate Retreats: 1-3 guests Mercedes-Benz GL 450
- Small Groups: 4-12 guests Mercedes Sprinter
- Groups of 30-50 guests Luxury Motorcoach
- VW Campers 4-7 VW buses per tour (approx. 4-14 guests)
Your group size, time frame and overall budget will determine your final vehicle selection. Please fill out our Planning Form to get started.
Do you offer private tours for under-18’s?
No, although we do offer consulting services for student groups, with a recommendation of 1 chaperone per 9 students.
Families, on the other hand, are always welcome on our trips, except for on our Yosemite Digital Detox Hikes, where a minimum age of 16 (accompanied by a parent) with a valid driver’s license is required.
Do you offer travel insurance?
No. Your team can choose to purchase travel insurance through a third-party supplier such as World Nomads.
Is gratuity included for your private guides?
Yes. A 20% gratuity is automatically added for all parties of six or more.
What’s your cancellation policy?
Corporate retreats canceled…
- More than 120 days before the departure date will be charged a 10% administration fee (and subject to third-party cancellation fees)
- Between 60-120 days will lose their deposit
- Between 30-60 days will lose 75% of their retreat fee
- 0-30 days from the tour departure date will be charged 100% of their retreat fee
National Park and Digital Detox Offsites
What should I bring on a Yosemite Corporate Retreat?
Please bring the following for each team member:
Regular Camping: Bring a backpack with a change of clothes for 2-3 days of camping, including comfortable shoes and a warm jacket. Also, bring any toiletries you may need such as toothbrush, wet wipes, hand sanitizer and deodorant. All of your camping equipment, including pillow, mattress, tent, sleeping bag and more is provided.
Hotel Weekend Getaway: In addition to a comfortable wardrobe, we recommend you wear walking shoes, a hat to protect yourself from the sun and sunblock (as needed). In winter, obviously dress warmly. If you plan to dine at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel, please note a dress code is required for dinner. Gentlemen are asked to wear long pants and a shirt with a collar, and ladies are asked to wear a dress, skirt or long pants with a blouse. Children over the age of four are asked to dress for the occasion as well. Breakfast, brunch and lunch are always casual.
Backcountry Hiking: More information on what to bring will be provided in your confirmation documents.
For all Yosemite offsites, please bring the items and luggage which are only needed for your private tour (and please keep in mind, less is more). Your larger bags can be safely stored with your hotel concierge in San Francisco.
May we stay in hotels instead of camp?
Yes. Each adventure is planned to fit your team’s needs. This may include camping, not camping, wilderness hikes, day spas and more. Please fill out our Planning Form to get started.
Do I need my own camping equipment?
No. All of your camping equipment is provided.
I’m a first-time camper. Will I be comfortable?
This, really, depends on your personal preferences. We always recommend stepping outside of your comfort zone, especially in a safe environment. But preference is not universal, and comfort is subjective.
If you are unsure about your desired camping style, please contact us.
Are your hiking activities safe?
Yes. Our private guides are highly trained with advanced certifications. When you reserve your California offsite with us, you are teaming up with the best in their field.
With that said, there is risk in anything, even crossing your neighborhood cul de sac. Rest assured, we’ll do all we can to keep your team safe.
Leave my phone behind – are you kidding?
No. We are firm believers that technology, although wonderful, is the cause of many generational mental health problems. We strongly recommend disconnecting from your phone while on the road (relax – it’s just a few days) to reconnect with your team.
Nothing is required, of course, only highly recommended.
San Francisco Offsites and City Tours
What type of city tours do you offer?
We offer Group San Francisco Intros along with multi-day California Coast Offsites. Give us a call or fill out our Planning Form to discover the best strategy for your team.
What should I bring on a Private San Francisco Tour?
Please bring anything you’ll need for a weekend of sightseeing, including your camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable shoes and a hat – in addition to your wardrobe, of course.
San Francisco’s summers can be surprisingly chilly, so please dress in layers.
What are your minimums?
Our Private San Francisco Tours (for 1-3 guests) are a 4-hour minimum. All other offsites are a 6-hour minimum (usually only offered as daily rates).
Do you offer other California tour packages?
Yes. We offer California Relocation Packages for companies wishing to sell their job candidates on the advantages of living in the Bay Area, and Sports Weekend Getaways for out-of-town visitors landing in San Francisco to support their home team while on the road.
Are event tickets included in your Sports Weekend Getaways?
No.
Do you offer step-on guide services?
No. We handle all private transportation and group overnight logistics in-house.
VW Camper Offsites
Where do your VW Camper Offsites depart from?
VSW World Headquarters, 765 Newton Way, Costa Mesa, CA 92627.
We recommend staying in Newport Beach, a lovely coastal town, the night before.
The best airport to fly into is John Wayne Airport (Orange County), about 10 minutes away from our headquarters, as opposed to LAX which is a 1+ hour drive away.
Our VW Camper Offsites also can also begin in San Francisco, although a one-way rental fee per VW camper will be added to your final rate.
Do we drive our VW camper ourselves?
Yes.
Is there a minimum age for drivers?
Yes – VW camper drivers are required to be a minimum of 25 years old with a valid driver’s license.
What’s included in my VW camper?
Everything. Please see our What’s Inside page.
What’s the difference between Bay Window, Vanagon and Eurovans?
Each VW camper model has its advantages and disadvantages:
Bay Windows: Years in production 1968-1979. These are the classic VWs characterized by a large, curved windshield, commonly called a vintage Bay Window (thus the name). Unfortunately, due to their air-cooled engines, like many vintage cars, they cannot go long distances in hot weather. Therefore, only Southern California road trips are permitted.
Vanagons: Years in production 1980-1991. The VW Vanagon is the same classic style as the Bay Windows but with more modern features, including more floor space, a larger water tank and refrigerator and improved maneuverability. We believe these models are the most economical for first-time VW drivers, although they are limited to 65 mph, just like the Bay Window models.
Eurovans: Years in production 1993-2003. These VWs are best suited for a more modern RV experience. They can go above 65 mph (unlike Bay Windows or Vanagons) and are well-suited for families and those looking for a longer road trip, such as from Los Angeles to Seattle. These are our favorites for our personal road trips.
How many guests are recommended per VW camper?
We recommend 2 guests per VW camper – one who sleeps on the top bunk and the other who naps on the bottom. Please see our VW overnight suggestions page.
May I bring my dog?
Yes, although Rover is required to be well-behaved. This is for the comfort of our guests, other pets and fellow campers. In addition, dogs may not be allowed in certain hotels, restaurants or on particular hiking trails.
What are your VW minimums?
Our VW Camper Offsites are a 3-night, 4-day minimum.
What’s the required VW camper maintenance as we drive?
Please fill up with 91 octane gas only, and when you do, check the oil simultaneously. You do so by checking the rear engine compartment and removing the dipstick. Does it say you need more oil? Then add some. It’s that simple.
Not to worry if you feel overwhelmed—we’ll show you how when you arrive and can perform these services for you while on the road.
Can you explain your VW camper insurance?
You have two choices for insurance. One is through your personal American policy provider (and you’ll need our approval and theirs), and the other is from our third-party supplier, Outdoorsy.
The easier way—through Outdoorsy—guarantees $1,000,000 in coverage in case of an accident, with the rate as roughly $15-30 per day, depending on your chosen VW camper. Your driving record will be authorized once your driver’s license and offsite deposit are submitted.
Note: If you are involved in an accident, please call us and the insurance provider immediately. Waiting for more than 24 hours to report your damage can void your claim, meaning you will pay for the damages on your own.
Can non-American citizens use your third-party insurance?
Yes.
What if I’m involved in a car accident?
First, pull over to the side of the road and make sure you (and those you are with) are safe. Once you are safe, give us and the police a call (dial 911). You’ll need to go through the standard traffic accident protocol in America, so a police officer will show up and fill out an accident report and document the situation. We will then move on to the next step, assessing the condition of your VW (is it drivable?) and how you feel and then make a decision accordingly, to either provide you with a new VW camper or abort your road trip altogether. If you can stay calm and cool throughout the ordeal, we promise we’ll get through it.
What if I get a parking ticket?
Then pay it. If we find the bill on your VW after your trip, we’ll charge your credit card on file plus an added $75 fee.
Can I smoke in my VW camper, just like a hippie?
No. All of our VW campers are smoke-free. There will be a $250 smoking fee assessed if caught smoking in your VW.
Travel Consulting
Can you help us discover group tour opportunities for our community?
Yes, we’d love to. Please contact us.