Serving the Inland Empire
The IE's Custom Van Builder — A Short Drive West
We build custom vans and cargo trailers out of our North County San Diego shop in Encinitas, about 1 to 1.5 hours from most of the Inland Empire via the 15. Clients from Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, and Rancho Cucamonga make the drive because the build quality speaks for itself — and because our San Diego location means lower overhead than an LA shop.
Why Inland Empire Clients Choose Our San Diego Shop
The Inland Empire is one of the fastest-growing van life markets in Southern California. Between the access to Big Bear, Joshua Tree, and the San Gabriel Mountains, IE residents are perfectly positioned for weekend adventures — they just need the right rig.
Finding a professional van builder in the IE can be tough. Most of the established shops are closer to the coast, and the ones that do operate inland often lack the experience or the portfolio to back up their pricing. Our Encinitas shop gives you a proven builder with a track record you can see, at prices that make the drive worth it.
The route is straightforward — take the 15 south and you're here in about an hour to an hour and a half. Most of our IE clients handle the initial consultation by phone or video, then visit the shop once or twice during the build. We keep you updated with regular photo check-ins throughout.
We also build with the IE in mind. That means climate control sized for triple-digit summers and freezing mountain nights, solid off-grid capability for boondocking out in Joshua Tree or the high desert, and rigs that handle dirt roads and washboard as well as the highway run home.
Drive Times from the Inland Empire
Riverside
60–75 min via I-15
San Bernardino
80–95 min via I-15
Ontario
75–90 min via I-15
Rancho Cucamonga
80–95 min via I-15
Corona
55–70 min via I-15
Temecula
35–50 min via I-15
What We Build for IE Clients
We do full custom conversions on Mercedes Sprinters, RAM ProMasters, Ford Transits, and cargo trailers. Every build covers five core systems:
Interior & Cabinetry
Custom layouts, storage, beds, seating, countertops
Electrical
Solar, lithium batteries, inverters, shore power, lighting
Plumbing
Fresh/gray water tanks, sinks, showers, water heaters
Exterior
Roof racks, awnings, bike mounts, exterior lighting
Climate Control
Insulation, ventilation fans, diesel heaters, AC units
Builds typically range from $30K to $120K+ depending on scope and finish level. Check our pricing page for a full breakdown.
Van Life Destinations from the Inland Empire
Living in the IE puts you closer to some of the best van life destinations in California than almost anyone else in SoCal. No long freeway crawls to get to the mountains or the desert — you're already on the doorstep.
Mountains & Desert
- Big Bear Lake — 1-1.5 hours from San Bernardino, year-round camping
- Joshua Tree — 1.5–2 hours east, world-class boondocking
- San Gabriel Mountains — 45 min to an hour from the western IE
- Idyllwild — 1.5 hours from Riverside, mountain forest camping
Coast & Beyond
- San Onofre — 1–1.5 hours south, surf camping at its best
- Anza-Borrego — 2 hours southeast, free desert camping
- Death Valley — 3.5–4 hours, best in winter and spring
- Baja, Mexico — 3.5–4 hours to Ensenada
How the Process Works for IE Clients
Most of our Inland Empire clients start with a phone or video consultation. We talk through your van, your plans, and your budget, then put together a detailed build plan and quote broken down by system. You approve everything before we start.
During the build, we send photo updates so you always know where things stand. When it's time for your final walkthrough, you drive down, we walk you through every system, and you drive home in your finished van.
See Our Full ProcessFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Emery Custom Builds from the Inland Empire?
Our Encinitas shop is about 1 to 1.5 hours from most parts of the Inland Empire via the 15. Riverside is roughly 60-75 minutes. Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga are about 75-90 minutes. San Bernardino is around 80-95 minutes.
How much does a custom van conversion cost?
Builds typically range from $30,000 to $120,000+ depending on scope and finish level. Basic builds run $30K-$50K, Standard builds run $55K-$75K, and Premium builds run $80K-$120K+. These prices cover labor and materials — the vehicle is separate.
What van platforms do you convert?
We build on Mercedes Sprinters, RAM ProMasters, Ford Transits, and cargo trailers.
Do I need to visit the shop during the build?
Most clients visit two or three times: once for the consultation (which can also be done by phone or video), once mid-build to check progress, and once for the final walkthrough. We send regular photo updates between visits.
We also serve San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, and all of Southern California.
Ready to Build Your Adventure Rig?
Get professional van conversion quality from our San Diego shop. Tell us about your project and we'll put together a detailed quote.
Tell Us About Your Build