Stylish SoCal Van Life: Vanspeed Debuts California Coast Model

If you’re looking for a sleek new van life option — Vanspeed would like a word. The Orange County-based company has launched the California Coast, a rig geared toward a variety of outdoor sports. Vanspeed founder Duran Morley wanted a sleek aesthetic for this conversion, which is meant for weekend getaways and longer trips along the breezy beaches of the Western U.S.

Morley grew up with outdoor sports, frequently racing motocross in Baja with his friends, many of whom are now professional athletes. He leveraged that experience to found Vanspeed in 2017, and now offers a van conversion that sleeps two and includes plenty of room for surfboards, bikes, kayaks, and other gear.

“The layout was designed specifically with adventure and coastal exploration in mind,” Morley said. “Obviously, the beach is a big point of interest for our clients, so designing a van made for the surf and sand that can be used hard and easily cleaned out is key.” 

Vanspeed California Coast: Features

Morley’s journey to van conversions began the same way as many of us — by seeing someone else’s van and thinking, “I want to do that.”

He met a couple of software engineers traveling in a van they had converted themselves and was floored by its smooth combination of style and substance. That thinking has driven Morley ever since, including the California Coast, which is Vanspeed’s fifth model.

“It was something that actually looked good, but also worked really well functionally for many sports,” Morley said of his initial inspiration.

The California Coast is built on the Sprinter 144 chassis and can accommodate two adults. An adaptable layout includes a bed that converts to a dinette.

The kitchen comes with a two-burner induction cooktop, and an Isotherm refrigerator and freezer. Additional kitchen storage includes a four-drawer setup, while ceiling cabinets offer extra storage. A 25-gallon freshwater tank means ample water for longer trips.

A quick-connect shower on the outside allows owners to clean off sand and dirt while still feeling the Cali sun.

“The interior really screams out southern California, beach coastal vibe,” Morley said. “I wanted to keep a clean design. But I also had to make sure it worked for any gear.”

To that end, the California Coast also has under-bed storage and an exclusive “gear garage” that can accommodate big items without big sacrifices to the living space. The van easily fits larger gear like longboards, kayaks, snowboards, tents, and bikes.

Off-grid power comes from a 200W solar panel. There’s even a vacuum system for cleanup. Insulation and sound damping help keep the interior peaceful.

Vanspeed California Coast: Pricing & Availability

Vanspeed Californa Coast van builds start at $65,000 — not including the price of the Sprinter van. However, turnkey packages are also available and start at about $140,000.

“The best part about Vanspeed’s California Coast is that our build processes allow us to get customers their new adventure van so fast,” Morley said.

By relying on preset configurations, Vanspeed can complete conversions very quickly, Morley said. Instead of a common waiting period of 6 to 8 months for custom adventure vans, Vanspeed promises a completion time of under 3 months. For more information on the company’s available conversions, visit Vanspeed online.

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