Live cameras in San Bernardino, United States

San Bernardino is the county seat of San Bernardino County, the largest county by area in the contiguous United States, and one of the main cities of Southern California's Inland Empire. It lies about sixty miles east of Los Angeles in the eastern San Bernardino Valley, at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains, which rise steeply along the city's northern edge. The 2020 census counted about 222,000 residents. Mormon pioneers founded the first Anglo-American settlement here in 1851, and the city incorporated in 1857. In 1940 Richard and Maurice McDonald opened a barbecue stand in town that became the first McDonald's, and a small museum now marks the original site.

High on the mountainside above the city, an arrowhead-shaped mark on the slope, whose origin is still debated, is visible for miles and has given its name to local landmarks, springs and businesses. The National Orange Show grounds recall the citrus era, when orchards covered much of the valley.

Freeways at the foot of the mountains

Every view here is a Caltrans traffic camera, with still images that refresh every few minutes. San Bernardino is a freeway hub: Interstate 10 runs across the south side toward Palm Springs and Los Angeles, Interstate 215 cuts through the city toward Riverside and up to the Cajon Pass, and State Route 210 follows the foothills to the north. State Route 18, the Rim of the World Highway, begins its climb from here toward Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, so these cameras are a useful first check before a mountain trip.

Being in Southern California, the city lives on Pacific Time and shifts its clocks twice a year. Summers are long and very hot, often above 100 degrees, while winters are mild with occasional rain and snow on the peaks above. In autumn, Santa Ana winds can roar down the canyons at high speed and raise serious fire danger. June sunsets come close to eight, December ones before five.

Redlands, with its historic downtown and university, lies just to the east, and the San Bernardino National Forest begins right behind the city.

Sources: San Bernardino, California - Wikipedia · Caltrans QuickMap.