What was I supposed to bring to stay comfortable and live for eight weeks in a van I had never seen before? I spent a week before we left making an extensive list in Google docs. Every time some new necessity occurred to me, I jotted it down. Three weeks into our adventure, I'm very pleased with my selection of items.
Most of the items on this list are the ones I use in my everyday life or on shorter camping or hiking trips. This list condenses all the research I've done on the best products, many that I have used and been happy with for several years. Please check them out!
Here is my COMPLETE list of items I flew with to outfit our rental van:
California trip packing list
Clothes
Swim trunks
4 pairs gray socks
10 t shirts (1 buttoned shirt)
2 fleece jackets (1 heavy, 1 light)
Blue pullover hoodie
Hiking pants (2)
Cargo shorts (2)
Jeans (wear day of travel)
Exercise shorts
Leggings (as a warmth layer)
Warm hat
Fingerless gloves (+ regular gloves)
Pajama pants
Black belt
Gi
Electronics and chargers
Phone
Usb A to usb C cable
Micro USB cable
Battery pack x2
Usb bricks
Car inverter
Camping
Big bug mesh
Metal salad bowl
Small scrubby brush
Metal coffee cup
Big coffee cup for dollar coffee
Lighters
Camping pot and saucepan
1 lid for pot
Propane 1 burner stove attachment and base
Headlamp and extra batteries
Athletic tape
Bandaids
Neosporin
Hydrocortisone cream
Packable jacket
Pillowcases (2)
Thin sheet
Second pair of glasses
Contacts, case, and travel size solution
Washcloths
Camping towel
Hiking
Light backpack
Few brown paper bags
Sunglasses clip on
Small plastic water bottle
Sunscreen
Travel
Drivers license
BART card(s)
Covid vaccine card
Covid rapid tests
Cloth mask
Cosmetics / personal care
Dr Bronners soap
Toothbrush
Floss
Hair ties
Travel toothpaste
Coconut oil (in small jar)
Hair trimmer
Face cleanser, serum, moisturizer
Bag containing nail clippers, tweezers
Benadryl cream
Deodorant
Medications for 60 days