San Onofre State Beach

My parents have been staying at this RV park for 4 years and will no longer be returning. The new rules they have are absolutely ridiculous. To have people move every month who are long term residents specially when it’s one space over is silly and a huge hassle. To tell me you can’t book the same spot is a lie as they have done it the 3 years prior. The handling of the flooding was very poor. Giving people less then 2 hours notice to move and asking them to do so immediately when there is no instant risk and my family works and can’t just drop everything to come there. Even when asking to move immediately they still require the paperwork signed before moving. If it was that dangerous you would think paperwork would be the least of their worries. Just poor service all around. The girls in the office are sweet, it’s not their fault as they are just doing what they are told. The people running the show, military and otherwise need to rethink things or they will lose much more business. My parents will find a new place to spend 6 months out of the year.

A SoCal longboard mecca, one of the original surf spots on the coast. You need to have a State Park pass or get ready to pay north of $ 10 – 20 to park for the day. On the weekends, the park gets full and you have to wait in the overflow lot (they go to a 1 in, 1 out crowd control). The road to Dog Patch is unpaved, so if you have a fancy car, you might want to park at the lot before the pavement ends and walk in. (Also a great parking spot if you want to walk to Church’s to surf) The place has 3 Points and always has a high crowd factor but the vibe is awesome and plenty of families make a day out of it during the summertime.

We were able to park our RV right alongside the beach. Lots of room for a long distance walk, but no dogs allowed on beach. Had to leave the boys in the RV while we took our beach walk. Watched a few surfers catch a few small waves. Shoreline a bit rocky, but still very nice. Amazing when the tide goes out, and you can walk out into the ocean with the seabirds and sea cucumbers, oh so awesome!

The beach is rocky, but the waves are nice. The parking is terrible, since there are only a few hundred spaces at most and nowhere to park nearby. Get here early on nice days.
I’ve been trying to get superpowers from the nuclear reactors down the beach, but so far nothing. The waters are clean. Maybe one day…

Easy to park, but where do you wash off the sandy kids after, in the bathroom sink? There are no fire pits and every picnic table is either gunked in surfboard wax or burned from bbq’s. People seemed low key. Can’t get over the view of the powerplant, kinda creepy…

My second time here and I do love this beach. I’ve gone to Trail 6 and walked past the Camp Pendleton fence so we can go nude. It’s a bit of a hike but so worth it. The cliffs are beautiful. I definitely recommend wearing something tother than flip flops walking down the path as it is a bit steep and the beach itself is a bit rocky. Also no concession stands so make sure you bring food and plenty of water.

Veterans and guest are extremely fortunate to enjoy all the amenities offered here, we use the beach club surfing one of the best breaks in all the world, #cottonsPoint and night next door, lower tressel s, great crowd, beach club, world class for little ones and old timers

Used to go to Trail 6 all the time when it was Clothing Optional. It has been a few years since the Rangers starting citing. I have been going again as a stop on my bike rides… I am not willing to pay admission while they cite. You can still go nude south of the Pendleton fence without fear of citation. However, the balance of couples/​families to creepers is not favorable. This could be reclaimed back to it heyday south of the fence, but only with a serious focus on self-​policing from the true naturists/​nudists.

I enjoy going here when I don’t plan on getting into the water. Unless you want to surf, stay out. The rocks are huge along the shore and they crash into your legs hard. It was horrible. I do enjoy tanning here. Parking is also very limited.

This is the best state beach for dogs. Trail #1 and 6. It’s a little bit ideals for trail 6 but the journey is worth it. What a killer beach. Not over crowded, especially in the weekdays. It ha beautiful rocks and is just a great beach. I love it, the wife loves it and the dogs just can’t get enough of this beach. Go you won’t be sorry. Camping is also good but is loud, it’s close to the freeway. Worth the drive and the day use fee $ 15 free if you camp at any state camp site.

$ 15 parking!

This beach gets 2 stars because 1.) the beach itself is VERY filthy. I had my toes in sand and found a plastic bottle cap, a piece of styrofoam, a piece of tape, the plastic part of a tag from clothing, a cigarette butt, AND the «sanitary strip» that goes on girls bathing suit bottoms. ALL IN ONE SPOT. GROSS! 2.) the locals are aggressive and not welcoming. The bathroom door says «WEEKEND KOOKS GO HOME» um… I paid $ 15 to be here just like everyone else 3.) surfers do not like it when you get in the water, even if it’s just your toes. I’m so over that place. The surfers and locals can it. It’s not even clean.

Definitely a picturesque place for surfers. My gf doesn’t surf and she was really awe struck by the vibe and scene. So why only a few stars? Well the few times I’ve been here the state park officials either had the gate closed due to an «unforeseen» event that was not brought about prior or delays entering the park. There Is no running water though portable restrooms are available. What really makes this place is the people that surf here — laid back and just looking for a fun time. Sure there are jerks who think they’re gods gift but ignore em and it’ll a many memorable experiences.

Longboard Surfing Paradise!
Note: Entrance Fee Required
Slow, rolling waves make it a great spot for beginners and people who enjoy the slower pace. They have showers along the coast enclosed with live bamboo, with racks and a hose to rinse off your board. Very cool.
The added bonus is that the entrance fee is steep, so it keeps the punks out.

My to-​go beach pure paradise !!
Private & to be honest down to earth people who: live breathe surf to the fullest.
Mission to get there, kind of confusing bc of the streets and bc it’s literally side by side to Camp Pendleton.
What beach can you literally pull-​up back into sand & walk straight to the water.
Dog friendly, people friendly.
Surfer heaven!
Beach closes @ 1000pm be sure to leave @ 1000pm or beach ranger comes & gets you & kicks you out. Grrrrr.

San Onofre is surfer’s paradise. It’s truly all about the surfing. It’s great for beginners and experienced surfers alike. There are multiple surf breaks including Trails, Old Mans and the Point. Just North of San Onofre is Church and Trestles (Lowers & Uppers). The swell that rolls in to San Clemente is some of the best in California. The waves are soft and forgiving and the rides are long. You will glide to shore on the lip of a wave for a good minute! Talk about a serious stoke session! San Onofre has given me some of the best California memories. As I was sitting on my board yesterday waiting for a set to roll through, all I kept thinking was how we truly live in paradise.
One tip — get there early especially on the weekends! They open at 6 AM and the line starts forming early. The better the waves are going to be, the longer the line is. Just expect this when you arrive. The line moved quickly yesterday (Friday at 8 AM). We only ended up waiting 15 minutes.
Fun Fact ~ Governor Ronald Reagan established San Onofre State Beach in 1971.

We used to come up here from Camp Pendleton to mingle with the civilians (read: girls). Loved it then, and it hasn’t changed much I don’t suppose.
John Basilone, the namesake of the road leading to the beach, was a hero of ours in the USMC. He earned the medal of honor, met his wife at Camp Pendleton and got married, went on a cushy USO bond tour, and pitched it all to return to the war in the Pacific. He died in combat on Iwo Jima. When asked why he’s going back, he is quoted as saying, «I’m staying with my boys.» I saluted the road sign bearing his name. OOOO RAH.

This is the iconic california surf beach. The waves are slow, and break in a sliding fashion, perfect for longboarding. If you havent been to this beach, just know that it is first and foremost for surfing. You will see few, if any, swimmers or boogie boarders. The parking is really close to the water, so no problems hauling gear. If you dont have tough feet, consider foot protection from those rocks. They can get pretty brutal. Overall, the perfect beach, as it hasnt changed in decades. No development, no pavement, and lots of the surfers have coming here for decades.

A great place to come and hang out and enjoy the sun, surf and sand. Here on a Sunday summer afternoon and parking was super easy. I guess for the $ 15 entrance fee and being a little tricky to find it does not get much notice. For sure I will come back here when I have time to drive down.
Very cool that it’s dog friendly on trails 1 and 6 and that we can bring Fido right into the waves. Everyone here had their dogs on a leash which was cool too.

On Wednesday (08-​28-​2013) I woke up before the birds, loaded up my surfboard, change of clothes and headed out on a Surfari to San Onofre State Beach. I arrived just as the gates were opening (6:00am). If you are traveling here for the first time exit ‘Basilone’ off of the 5 freeway. For those who do not know the Basilone exit is named after ‘Staff Sergeant John Basilone’ who was KIA and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. When you exit the freeway make sure you follow the signs which are clearly marked. The Basilone exit shares its exit with the retired San Onofre Nuclear Facility and the USMC Camp Pendleton military base, so don’t get lost=)
As you pull up to the Park & Recreation booth you will be required to either show your annual pass (good for all State Parks) which you can purchase for $ 195 or you can purchase a day pass for $ 15. If you are going to purchase an annual pass make sure you purchase it on the 1^st of the month and you will see that you can squeak 13 months out of an annual pass instead of 12=)
A short drive from the Park & Rec booth you will arrive in the parking lot you are you are immediately taken back to what surfing is all about, what I mean by that it just seems like everyone here has the right attitude. The surrounding grounds, gardens & straw huts put you in the right mood. As you exit your vehicle and get ready for the morning surf everyone walking by says hello and everyone seems to have a smile on their face. As I was getting ready for my surf session I must have witnessed 5 – 6 different people walking around the parking lot picking up trash, several other folks were walking around trimming the gardens, sweeping path ways and disposing of composted debris that has fallen from surrounding trees.
As you walk the short distance from the parking lot to the beach you can simply hop onto the sand or you can walk paths carved out of foliage, I suggest you walk through the foliage. You will find monuments dedicated to fallen surfers, you will find masks, you will find little figurines set up and hidden in bushes, you will find all sorts of stuff that will instantly transport you back in time.
When you enter the water you will find the right attitudes to your left & right so make sure you have the right attitude because if you don’t you will stick out like a sore thumb. The break here at San Onofre is very consistent year around and on big days it will get packed and get packed early. While you sit on your board it is amazing to just looked at the country side and imagine what it was like to surf here back in the day.
When you surfing session is over you will find bathrooms, showers, water foundations, bulletin boards and all sorts of things set up for your surfing enjoyment. I suggest you bring a cooler, pack a lunch, eat and get back in the water, if you are coming here plan for on being here for the whole day. If you have a dog bring them along, San Onofre is dog friendly.
I had such a good vibe being at San Onofre that I felt I had to give back. I had something surfing related in my truck and ended up leaving it propped up against the dumpster. I hope someone found it, took it home and is stoked with the find=)
I look forward to my next trip to San Onofre. If you are coming here make sure you have a longboard because unlike Trestles which is a short distance away a short board is not going to do much for you here.
If you are traveling here make sure you bring a change of clothes. The sand is super fine at San Onofre and the sand will get everywhere. It takes a little skill to be able to switch out of your wetsuit and into dry clothes but once you have this skill mastered you will be part of the club=)
San Onofre also has fire pits & Volleyball courts.