🇺🇸 Weekend Getaway Near Irvine: Camping & Riverside Relaxation 🏕️🌲

How do people in the US spend their weekends? Lots of them go camping ⛺️, hit the beach 🏝️, or explore shopping centers. Here’s a hidden gem not too far from Irvine—Applewhite Campground, nestled inside the San Bernardino National Forest. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Irvine 🚗, and just around an hour on the way back (if you avoid traffic!). Driving into the mountain roads gave me a nostalgic vibe—almost like heading toward the Badaling Mountains back in Beijing 🏔️. Along the way to the campground, there are several spots where you can stop and play by the water. Just park on the side of the road and enjoy! The campground requires advance reservations 🎫, especially from Friday to Sunday and through October (peak season!). I asked on-site—it used to be first-come-first-served, but now you really need to book ahead. The camping area isn’t very large, so spots fill up fast! Our family loves being near the river, so we spent most of our time by a little stream nearby 💦. The water was incredibly clear and refreshing—so peaceful and cooling on a warm day. We even brought a portable stove and had hotpot right by the river… Absolute bliss! 🍲😋 #LosAngeles #IrvineLife #WeekendEscape #CampingLA #NatureGetaway #SoCalAdventures #FamilyTime #RiverLife #OutdoorCooking #PeakSeason #ApplewhiteCampground #SanBernardinoNF #EscapeTheCity #ExploreCalifornia