Easily Book Campgrounds and RV Parks in Irvine, CA

Irvine, California is located 40 miles southeast of Los Angeles, just southeast of Santa Ana. It’s a mostly flat city nested between the Loma Ridge to the north and the San Joaquin Hills to the south. Irvine has a more variable climate than LA or nearby cities closer to the coast. Like many neighboring So-Cal cities, it is subject to “June Gloom,” where weather is overcast in late spring or early summer.

Probably the best place for most campers to put up shop near Irvine is by Irvine Lake. Less than 30 minutes northeast of the city, this 750-acre lake is excellent for fishing, especially since fishing permits aren’t required. RV spots are limited, so Irvine Lake requires reservations for RV campers.

The San Joaquin Wildlife Santuary is a notable attraction in Irvine. Though closed after dark, the park offers over 10 miles of wheelchair-accessible hiking trails for daytime use. The land has attracted over 120 different species of birds, including roadrunners, hummingbirds, herons, and pelicans.

You’ll want to visit Orange County Great Park at some point if you stay near Irvine. Sunday may be the best time to visit, as it’s when the farmer’s market occupies the premises (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). However, the Great Park Balloon is the site’s most popular attraction, taking 30 passengers at a time 400 feet above the ground. Balloon-goes can see distances of up to 40 miles, on a clear day.