Excellent
36 trips
Pet friendly
25+
Sleeps 2
20 ft. long
o. Pets welcome! (Please select pet add-on; $125 additional cleaning fee).
o. Pets welcome! (Please select pet add-on; $125 additional cleaning fee).
Quick summary
AI generated
Perfect for couples, Balou delivers your ultimate, turnkey off-grid van life adventure.
Meticulously stocked with solar power, just pack food and your spirit of adventure.
Relax on a plush memory foam bed with hot outdoor showers and cozy heating.
Travel confidently with a 5-star superhost providing all the essentials for your trip.
2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Length
20 ft
20 ft
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Fuel Type
Diesel
Diesel
Tank Size
24 gal
24 gal
Gross Weight
9,000 lbs
9,000 lbs
Sleeps
2
2
Seatbelts
2
2
Sleeping arrangements
1 bed
Queen bed
1
1
Dates
Guest reviews
Excellent
28 reviews
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
Communication
5.0
Top 5% in California
Cleanliness
5.0
Top 5% in California
Maintenance
5.0
Top 5% in California
Value
5.0
Listing accuracy
5.0
Top 5% in California
Review summary
Provides thorough, clear explanations
Niko and Annette are highly communicative, responsive, and provide detailed instructions and resources, including a dedicated app and binder. They are known for their helpfulness, flexibility, and accommodating nature, making the booking and trip seamless.
Drives with great ease
The van is consistently described as meticulously outfitted, organized, and fully stocked with essentials and thoughtful extras like a heater, large fridge, and extensive cooking gear. It features a comfortable bed and a functional outdoor shower.
Fred S.
August 2026
5.0Thank you for making our camping trip up the north coast of California into Oregon so successful! Engine: powerful but noisy. Maneuverability: almost like a big SUV and can intuit reversing but would be better with a bigger screen to see what's behind and are there collision warnings for reversing and going forward when parking. Seats: driver seat with pillow, " could drive for eight hours and would still be comfortable.", passenger side, a bit too high off the ground so my legs were not relaxed, not the best experience but okay. Porta-potti: suitable for urine only, no paper or anything else. Easy to empty and clean. Cook top: we used it only once when the insects were bad, works as expected, we mostly cooked outdoors as the real camping experience is what we both enjoy more than being in the van. Sink: should really consider it as a drinking faucet, it can't be used for washing up; a dish bowl was provided and washing up liquid and sponges and it worked out just fine, two drying towels one to put washed items the other to dry them. Storage: super well organized, all the items kettle electric, coffee pot, tissues kitchen tools (missing scissors) cutlery, knives, plates pasta and breakfast bowls, two wine glasses stemless and coffee mugs and glass mugs, although we brought our own tea mugs and accomplished our tea in bed woohoo! Bed: the best thing of all, we needed to sleep north south so we used the fold up bench seat back, couldn't be simpler, bedding was fine, a little lightweight for the chilly nights in the fog, slept fully clothed to be comfortable, pillows good as was the back drape that also provided insulation as well as privacy. Shower: didn't work but most campgrounds have showers so it wasn't limiting. Many, many accessories, super well equipped! We used the camping stove and pans all the time.
Thank you for making our camping trip up the north coast of California into Oregon so successful! Engine: powerful but noisy. Maneuverability: almost like a big SUV and can intuit reversing but would be better with a bigger screen to see what's behind and are there collision warnings for reversing and going forward when parking. Seats: driver seat with pillow, " could drive for eight hours and would still be comfortable.", passenger side, a bit too high off the ground so my legs were not relaxed, not the best experience but okay. Porta-potti: suitable for urine only, no paper or anything else. Easy to empty and clean. Cook top: we used it only once when the insects were bad, works as expected, we mostly cooked outdoors as the real camping experience is what we both enjoy more than being in the van. Sink: should really consider it as a drinking faucet, it can't be used for washing up; a dish bowl was provided and washing up liquid and sponges and it worked out just fine, two drying towels one to put washed items the other to dry them. Storage: super well organized, all the items kettle electric, coffee pot, tissues kitchen tools (missing scissors) cutlery, knives, plates pasta and breakfast bowls, two wine glasses stemless and coffee mugs and glass mugs, although we brought our own tea mugs and accomplished our tea in bed woohoo! Bed: the best thing of all, we needed to sleep north south so we used the fold up bench seat back, couldn't be simpler, bedding was fine, a little lightweight for the chilly nights in the fog, slept fully clothed to be comfortable, pillows good as was the back drape that also provided insulation as well as privacy. Shower: didn't work but most campgrounds have showers so it wasn't limiting. Many, many accessories, super well equipped! We used the camping stove and pans all the time.
Lindsay S.
June 2026
5.0Where do we even begin? The moment we first laid eyes on Balou, we knew we were in for something special. And the second we drove her through the streets of Berkeley, that feeling only grew stronger. It quickly became clear that this wasn't just a van—it was a labor of love. You can feel the care Niko and Annette poured into every inch of Balou. From the little teddy bear waiting to greet us to the thoughtfully designed cupboards, every detail tells a story. Nothing was overlooked. We didn’t have to worry about purchasing a thing. Everything we needed was already in the van. Even from hundreds of miles away, we felt completely taken care of. Niko was very thorough when going through the van with us, even having an app of their own so we could get comfortable before the trip. He went over how the van ran and all its operations so we can feel comfortable and confidant on our journey. Niko and Annette were attentive, kind, and endlessly inspiring throughout the entire journey. They trusted two complete strangers with something they'd built with so much love, and that trust made the experience even more meaningful. We thought two weeks in Balou would have been enough... but honestly, we could have lived in her forever. This trip has inspired us to build a van of our own someday, and that's a gift we'll carry with us long after the miles have faded. Thank you, Niko and Annette, for being more than hosts. Thank you for creating a space that invited adventure, comfort, and connection—not just with the road, but with ourselves and each other. We'll always be grateful for the care you put into every detail and for sharing Balou with us. This journey is one we'll never forget, and we can't wait for others to experience the magic of Balou and discover their own journey within her, too. Lindsay and Brendan
Where do we even begin? The moment we first laid eyes on Balou, we knew we were in for something special. And the second we drove her through the streets of Berkeley, that feeling only grew stronger. It quickly became clear that this wasn't just a van—it was a labor of love. You can feel the care Niko and Annette poured into every inch of Balou. From the little teddy bear waiting to greet us to the thoughtfully designed cupboards, every detail tells a story. Nothing was overlooked. We didn’t have to worry about purchasing a thing. Everything we needed was already in the van. Even from hundreds of miles away, we felt completely taken care of. Niko was very thorough when going through the van with us, even having an app of their own so we could get comfortable before the trip. He went over how the van ran and all its operations so we can feel comfortable and confidant on our journey. Niko and Annette were attentive, kind, and endlessly inspiring throughout the entire journey. They trusted two complete strangers with something they'd built with so much love, and that trust made the experience even more meaningful. We thought two weeks in Balou would have been enough... but honestly, we could have lived in her forever. This trip has inspired us to build a van of our own someday, and that's a gift we'll carry with us long after the miles have faded. Thank you, Niko and Annette, for being more than hosts. Thank you for creating a space that invited adventure, comfort, and connection—not just with the road, but with ourselves and each other. We'll always be grateful for the care you put into every detail and for sharing Balou with us. This journey is one we'll never forget, and we can't wait for others to experience the magic of Balou and discover their own journey within her, too. Lindsay and Brendan
Jingyue L.
May 2026
5.0We were fortunate to spend a birthday trip in Balou traveling to the national parks. The van is sparkling clean, in great condition, and has all of the necessities and amenities we needed for our for van trip, and we fell in love with it immediately. Niko was super nice and explained everything in detail to us, gave us tips and tricks as well to make our trip really easy and enjoyable. Would recommend to anyone that's interested in renting!
We were fortunate to spend a birthday trip in Balou traveling to the national parks. The van is sparkling clean, in great condition, and has all of the necessities and amenities we needed for our for van trip, and we fell in love with it immediately. Niko was super nice and explained everything in detail to us, gave us tips and tricks as well to make our trip really easy and enjoyable. Would recommend to anyone that's interested in renting!
Peter W.
May 2026
5.0This is my second Balou trip, both times have been effortless. The van is very well stocked, well cared for, and easy to drive. Nikolaus has been equally helpful, easy-going, and flexible. Can’t recommend more enthusiastically.
This is my second Balou trip, both times have been effortless. The van is very well stocked, well cared for, and easy to drive. Nikolaus has been equally helpful, easy-going, and flexible. Can’t recommend more enthusiastically.
Andrea D.
April 2026
5.0It was almost too easy and pleasant to borrow Balou... a pleasure from start to finish. Niko was extremely easy to communicate with, Balou was a dream—clean, easy to drive, and easy to care for. I hope we won't be strangers to this perfect van. 🤩
It was almost too easy and pleasant to borrow Balou... a pleasure from start to finish. Niko was extremely easy to communicate with, Balou was a dream—clean, easy to drive, and easy to care for. I hope we won't be strangers to this perfect van. 🤩
Sean C.
April 2026
5.0Nikolaus was great to work with, especially on short notice. The Sprinter was clean, well-maintained, and had everything we needed for a week up the California and Oregon coast. Easy pickup and dropoff process. Would definitely rent from him again!
Nikolaus was great to work with, especially on short notice. The Sprinter was clean, well-maintained, and had everything we needed for a week up the California and Oregon coast. Easy pickup and dropoff process. Would definitely rent from him again!
Guest Photos
Features
- Sleeps 2
- 2 seatbelts
- Fresh water: 23 gal
- Fuel type: Diesel
- Fuel capacity: 24 gal
- Automatic transmission
- Sleeps 2
- 2 seatbelts
- Fresh water: 23 gal
- Fuel type: Diesel
- Fuel capacity: 24 gal
- Automatic transmission
Amenities
- Linens included
- Outside Shower
- Hot water
- Solart
- Audio Inputs
- Radio
- Bluetooth
- Stove
- Refrigerator
- Linens included
- Outside Shower
- Hot water
- Solart
- Audio Inputs
- Radio
- Bluetooth
- Stove
- Refrigerator
Location
Berkeley, CA • Exact location provided after booking
Berkeley, CA • Exact location provided after booking
Rules and policies
- 12 p.m. start time
12 p.m. end time - Pet friendly
- No music festivals
- No tailgating
- No smoking
- Mileage: 100 free miles / day
- No generator
Cancellation: Moderate
Meet your host, Nikolaus
Superhost • Member since 2017
Nikolaus is a Superhost
Superhosts are highly-rated and experienced, ensuring you have a fantastic outdoor experience.
