The first settlers in Santa Clarita were the Tataviam Indians. In 1769, the area was explored by Gaspar de Portola, who named the region Santa Clara for its river. However, the name was already being used in the San Francisco Bay area, so to avoid further confusion, it was renamed, Santa Clarita. In the early 19th century, the Spaniards built an agricultural outpost in the valley. In 1839, the territory became part of the Rancho San Francisco land grant to Antonio Del Valle.
Del Valle established a cattle and sheep ranching center, and it was prosperous until a severe drought wiped the economy out in the 1860s. During this time, oil became a significant part of the industry, and California’s first refinery was built. The railways connected the valley with San Francisco and Los Angeles during the same year. The film industry took off in Santa Clarita shortly after the start of the 20th century. This encouraged western actors to live here, including John Wayne, William S. Hart, Gene Autry, Tom Mix, and Harry Carey.
While you’re visiting Santa Clarita, stop in at Vasquez Nature Area and Nature Center to explore the 932 acres of seasonal streams and spectacular rock formations. There are places to picnic, hike, camp, and watch a movie. Another popular spot is the Reyes Winery off the Sierra Highway in Santa Clarita, where you can participate in a wine tasting of their handcrafted cabernet, sauvignon, merlot, and syrah wines.
• Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival – At this two-day event, you can walk through rich western heritage displays, listen to live music, and shop for cowboy accessories during April at William S. Hart Park in Newhall.
• 9th Annual Wheelchair Sports Festival – This two-day sporting event features 15 adaptive recreational activities to watch as competitive individuals strive to excel in their sports of choice. The event is held in spring at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex.
• Santa Clarita Boots & Brews Country Music Festival - This one-day country music festival is a fabulous celebration of delicious foods, great music, and ice-cold beer in June at Central Park.
At 80 miles, or 69.42 nautical miles away, Channel Islands National Park is the closest national park to Santa Clarita. The only way to reach the five amazing islands that make up the park is by boat, ferry, or plane. Snorkeling, kayaking, undersea exploration, and rugged hiking are some popular activities that visitors enjoy on the islands.
Joshua Tree National Park is 162 miles from Santa Clarita. The park is comprised of two ecosystems featuring a variety of plants and animals. Hike along the 8,000 established nature trail routes to see the enormous Joshua trees and large rock formations. There are roughly 2,000 boulders that rock climbers may want to challenge themselves on.
Sequoia National Park is 173 miles from Santa Clarita. Visitors generally enjoy snowshoeing, skiing, and sledding during the winter months. There are many things to occupy your time in summer, such as rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, and ranger programs. You’ll find deep canyons, vast caverns, huge mountains, and rugged foothills to explore in the park.
Dockweiler State Beach near the Los Angeles airport is a 288-acre beach with lots of summer fun activities. Sunbathing and relaxing are the most popular pastimes at the beach. However, some visitors enjoy jogging, walking, and picnicking on the beach.
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area is one of the largest state water reservoirs in California. This 12,658-acre northern oasis features two lakes that offer wakeboarding, Jet Skiing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming opportunities. The park also has hiking and equestrian trails for exploring.
Malibu Creek State Park is about 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles and offers 15 miles of streamside trails through oak and sycamore woodlands on chaparral-covered slopes. The park has spectacular vistas, including scenic pools, volcanic rock gorges, and breathtaking views of Malibu Canyon and the Las Virgenes Valley. There are bird-watching, horseback riding, fishing, and mountain biking opportunities at the park.
There are many California landmarks near Santa Clarita that you will not want to miss. The Chandelier Tree in Calaveras Big Trees State Park is a spectacular natural landmark that you can drive through, providing your vehicle isn’t too large. You can stroll through the park to see the beautiful views and various plants, including the massive redwood trees.
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre has been open for over 70 years and is still a great place to view a movie. Its legendary forecourt has distinguished footprints of the stars.
Balboa Park is a broad 1,200-acre area tucked in the urban part of San Diego. At the park, you can explore the San Diego Model Railroad Museum or take a stroll through the Botanical Building and Lily Pond. The Science Center and California Tower are great places to visit within the park.
River’s End RV Park in Santa Clarita is a popular place to stay with live music and all the RV accommodations you need to have a great stay. Another popular place nearby is the Valencia Travel Village in Castaic. This resort has several amenities, such as a playground, a pool for small children, a spa, and two heated pools. Balboa RV Park features a fitness room, free Wi-Fi, and a recreational hall.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Santa Clarita, CA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Santa Clarita?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Santa Clarita from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Santa Clarita?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
