Serving Irvine & South OC
Irvine's Custom Van Builder — An Hour Down the 5
Our North County San Diego shop in Encinitas is about an hour from Irvine via the 5. Clients from Irvine, Tustin, Lake Forest, and Mission Viejo work with us because the build quality speaks for itself — and the drive is a straight shot down the freeway.
Why Irvine Clients Build With Us
If you're in Irvine or south Orange County and looking for a van builder, our Encinitas shop is about an hour south on the 5. We handle everything from initial design to final walkthrough, and most clients only need to visit the shop two or three times during the entire build.
The initial consultation can happen by phone or video, so you don't need to make the drive just to talk through your project. During the build, we send regular photo updates. When you do visit, it's a straight shot down the 5 — no complicated route, no LA traffic.
We build on all the major platforms and handle the full scope — electrical, plumbing, interior, exterior, and climate control. Every build is custom to your plans, your van, and your budget.
Drive Times from Irvine & South OC
Irvine
55–65 min via I-5
Tustin
60–70 min via I-5
Lake Forest
45–55 min via I-5
Mission Viejo
40–50 min via I-5
Laguna Beach
45–55 min via I-5 / CA-133
Dana Point
30–40 min via I-5
What We Build for Irvine & South OC 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 Irvine
Orange County is a great home base for van life. You're right on the coast with easy access to both the mountains and the desert. Here's what our Irvine-area clients explore most:
Coast & South
- Crystal Cove State Park — 15 min, coastal camping in your backyard
- San Onofre — 30-40 min south, surf camping at Trestles
- San Clemente — 30 min south along PCH or I-5
- Baja, Mexico — 3-3.5 hours to Ensenada
Mountains & Desert
- Big Bear Lake — 2 hours east, year-round camping
- Joshua Tree — 2 hours east, world-class boondocking
- Idyllwild — 1.5 hours southeast, mountain forest camping
- Anza-Borrego — 2.5 hours southeast, free desert camping
How the Process Works
Most Irvine and south OC 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. You're welcome to visit the shop anytime. When the build is finished and every system has been tested, we do a full walkthrough and hand you the keys.
See Our Full ProcessFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Emery Custom Builds from Irvine?
Our Encinitas shop is about an hour from Irvine via the 5. Tustin is about 65 minutes. Lake Forest and Mission Viejo are 45-55 minutes. It's a straight shot down the freeway.
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.
Can I visit the shop during my build?
Most Irvine clients visit two or three times total — once for consultation (which can also be done by phone or video), once mid-build, and once for the final walkthrough. We send regular photo updates between visits so you're always in the loop.
We also serve San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, and all of Southern California.
Ready to Build Your Adventure Rig?
Professional van conversions from our San Diego area shop. Tell us about your project and we'll put together a detailed quote.
Tell Us About Your Build