Big Sur
In California, wildfires happen when annual rainfalls don't materialize and timber gets dry. Big Sur's Basin Complex fire in 2008 was a prime example of what happens when lightning strikes a drought-plagued forest.

While Big Sur is a sparsely populated region of central California, it is home to some of the state's oldest redwood trees and has abundant marine life. The Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean, and Big Sur offers incredible views and pristine beaches. Out of consideration for the ample marine life that inhabits this part of the coast, beaches here are not particularly dog-friendly.

We had read about the fire before our trip, but it did not affect the Big Sur Campgrounds & Cabins where we stayed. A spot with electricity, water, and access to the dump and recycle stations was $58 per night.

In a way, we were thankful we had taken this trip in a diesel-powered RV, given that many turbodiesels like this one perform better and pollute less than their gas-powered counterparts. When you're in areas of such beauty, being environmentally aware is always a good thing.

The First Night
On the first night in SS-Agile I realized why Roadtrek designed certain features the way it had. Everything was finished to maximize the living space, including the way the bathroom door opened to reveal the shower and toilet.

On the downside, the bifold door lacked upper-end hardware, and keeping it latched was irritating. But that was a minor inconvenience better left to Roadtrek's engineering department to improve.

There was a lot of standing room (6 feet 3 inches), but, as with living in any small space, you had to be organized and tidy.

A few things worth noting: My wife pointed out that the sheets we had brought along fit "nice and tight" on the sofa bed. The bed was as comfortable as any quality hotel mattress, and with the privacy curtains open it was like sleeping under the stars in your own bed.

The Big Sur Campgrounds & Cabins was a family-friendly place and has become an destination for many international tourists. Foreign guests nearly outnumbered Americans. Asking around, it appeared that the weak U.S. dollar had made travel to this country more affordable than ever. And we learned that Europeans take three- or four-week vacations every year, unlike Americans, who maybe take a week or two.

The blackened landscape up the road was clear evidence that fire had swept through the area, but the small town of Big Sur is alive and doing well. In fact, the restaurant that was only a few hundred yards from the campgrounds offered a picturesque retreat like no other: an eclectic grouping of chairs literally lounging in a bumbling creek, ideal for sipping a lattè in the morning and just listening to the sounds of nature.

That's what you do in Big Sur after all-chill out and turn off your Blackberry.

Carmel-By-The-Sea
Of all the stops we made, nothing compared to Carmel. Clint Eastwood was mayor here not so long ago, and this seaside village offered all the trappings of Hollywood's elite without the stuffiness.

Carmel's main beach, which stretches below the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links, rivals that of the finest resorts with its white sand and striking coastline hemmed in by million-dollar cottages of all shapes and sizes. Tourists were there from every part of the world, basking in the sun's warmth. Dogs were not only welcomed here, they were spoiled by the tourists that strolled along the sands.

While in Carmel, we stayed about 20 minutes east of town at Saddle Mountain RV Park. It certainly wasn't the Ritz, but the campgrounds was secluded.

Half Moon Bay
The following morning we were up early and continued north on Highway 1. Although we would stay only a night there, Pelican Point RV Park in Half Moon Bay was banked above the surf, and we looked forward to the visit.

Aside from its location, the RV park wasn't very unique. It could have been much more appealing if some attention had been paid to the weathered concrete RV pads and the surrounding landscaping.

It's located about an hour south of San Francisco, just off Highway 1, and is about 3 miles south of downtown Half Moon Bay. The park had a solid history since the '70s but has changed ownership several times, we were told. We found it welcoming though, even if the general condition of the park and the environment made you feel more like you were camping at a drive-in theater rather than a coastal RV park, albeit a nice drive-in theater close to the water's edge.

What made up for some featureless aspects of the park were the paved walking trails that connected you to a remote beach and nearby Ritz Carlton Hotel. The beach itself was accessible by a short flight of stairs. Dogs were permitted on the beach, and ours took advantage of the situation without any reservations. This was not a swimming beach, and due to the rough waters, just getting in could be disconcerting for some.

For golfers, there were two championship 18-hole courses next door at Half Moon Bay Golf Course, both Par 72 with stunning views of the Pacific. I'd recommend afternoon play because of low-lying fog and the cold that blankets the area in the morning.

We did get a good night's rest at Pelican Point and, for what it's worth, would go back-although we'd bring warmer jackets.

San Francisco Bay
I can see why Tony Bennett wrote such a beautiful song about San Francisco. It is an absolutely amazing city. To get to Marin we decided to continue on Highway 1, which took us through the heart of San Francisco via 19th to the 101 and over the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito.

This area is typically not the place one would think of to take an RV if you're worried about traffic jams with narrow, frightfully steep streets. Marin, with its small streets, was no picnic either. But traveling with this type of vehicle has its advantages over a larger Class C, and we found ourselves more interested in the sights than thinking about the perils of the road.

Our time in San Francisco was brief, but it provided us with clues to the real-world capabilities of this Class B. Was it just an RV to be used occasionally, or could it be an all-around transport for moms looking for a roomy passenger van or for professionals who spend lots of time on the road and want a portable office?

The answer is probably yes on all accounts.

Marin County
It's been hailed as one of the wealthiest regions in the U.S., so it seemed fitting that we ended our journey north in Marin, after logging hundreds of miles in a Sprinter from Roadtrek. While Marin's residents probably would have preferred a three-pointed Mercedes star instead of the Dodge logo emblazoned on the front and rear, the Roadtrek SS-Agile didn't have to dig too deep to find fans in a place accustomed to high-end vehicles that can cost much more.

The drive from Southern California to Marin County really made an impression on us. Not only did it give my wife and me lessons in the coastal characteristics of California, but it also put the van camper into perspective in other ways.

For instance, driving a clean-burning diesel that got, by our own calculations, a respectable 17.8 to 18.5 mpg was good news.

Based on our standards of travel, if we had taken this route by car and dined out regularly, we could have easily spent $60 a day for two people. Instead, my wife and I planned the meals (purchased prior to this trip) at a cost of only $20 per day, saving more than $200 on food for the trip. The on-board refrigerator, small freezer, and microwave made meal planning a snap.

A similar trip with hotel stays would cost you about $140 per night (dog fees not included). Over six nights, that's $840. Compare that to the approximate $350 we spent staying in RV parks, and you see the advantage to living this kind of life.

What more is there to say? The SS-Agile is definitely an investment that could pay for itself over time. RV