It only took me 31 years of living in CA to make my way to San Onofre. This is my favorite SoCal beach yet. There's something about this beach's vibes that transports you straight to the 80s. It's pretty inconvenient to visit and that might be the beauty of it. San Onofre is in the middle of nowhere, expensive to enter, and they only allow a limited number of cars in the parking lot at once. We actually waited over an hour to park. Because of the difficulties to enter, this beach feels like a protected oasis. It's a major hub for van-lifers and surfers. In fact, you might feel peer pressured to buy a van after your first visit. There's bathrooms and showers onsite, but otherwise it's a bit of a raw space. Most people seem to come early and set up their site for the entire day. Never change, San Onofre. read more

A slice of heaven. Huge state beach with plenty of solitude. A paid lot with lots of spots. Dogs roam free at lot 1 entrance. Thousands of crystals to adore, tiki huts to occupy or build, beach life and habitat to appreciate and much needed relaxation. read more

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This beach fills up on parking as it's has many locals surfing with state beach parking pass. Sometimes wait can be up to 3hrs as parking is limited. I ride my bike here and avoid it all but the beach and surf are worth the wait. read more

San Onofre State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Greats surf for beginners through intermediate peeps. Clean beach, mostly clean water. Solid break and not too crowded. Most people here are friendly. Bath houses and laundry facility available. read more

San Onofre State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

So this beach can be a bit difficult to access but it is a rockhound's paradise! There are so many different and awesome agates and other stones to find along the shoreline. There are also some sandy spots to hang out on the beach, and some good surf spots. The main challenge is that the parking lot is not near the actual beach. There are some rocky and steep trails that you have to walk down to access the actual shoreline. These can be about half a mile. So be careful what you carried down because you're gonna have to carry it back up. read more

This was a nice beach for an afternoon stroll. It was in the afternoon. First time visiting and he park service recommended trail 4. It was nice to see how long this beach is and the campground. Would definitely come back. read more

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Now that I'm old, I don't enjoy spending all day at the beach. However, the sunset from the north end of the beach was very special. Most coastal California sunsets show the ocean, but here, there is a bluff. read more

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There are a lot of sharks at this beach and very dangerous to surf there I recommend not going in the water and the line to park there can take 4 Hours just to get in the staff are amazing and super friendly and take care of the place amazingly well and they do all they can to keep it beautiful but don't surf there whatever you do read more

Great if you're a surfers since the waves are nice but I wouldn't recommend taking your dog here since you have to wait like 20 - 30 minutes depending on how many cars are in line. In addition there are a lot of rocks on the beach & not much space for dogs to run. Also you have to pay $15 to enter read more

Great beach beautiful long waves. Nice people and good vibes. Have toilets on site. We got the yearly pass. Highly recommend

Beautiful state park with land shared courtesy of the US Marine Corps. This report is on the trail system. We hiked Trail 6, an easy 1 mile walking trail courtesy of the State of California and the U.S. Marine Corps. The trail commences on the right side of the rest room building and after a flat part, winds down rapidly to the beach. Quite a few surfers with their boards walking down. Great place for the views, admire the bluffs, observe the work of nature eroding the cliffs, and just chilling out on the beach read more

San Onofre State Beach - Polished rocks on the beach - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

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The parking lot is essentially a two way, one lane parking aisle miles long, and as long as the parking lot is, the beach is even longer, so you can always get away from everybody if you're able to just hike a bit. Bote there is a steep albeit safe climb to every one of the 6 paths from the parking lot to the beach. read more

San Onofre State Beach - Beautiful sunset with clouds as seen from San Onofre State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

Given the number of surfers I saw, surfing is this beach's best feature. It's very quiet (we were there in August so that's saying something!). Lots of rocks until you hit the tide line and then a nice gradual walk out into the ocean - I feel like people were about a quarter mile out before the water was at their waist. Be aware, the walk down to the beach from the bluffs where you park/camp is steep - my Apple watch clocked it at 4 floors. For camping, it's a mixed bag. If you have a motorhome or van with good soundproofing, you might be ok. For tent camping, not such a great spot. Most of the campsites have very little space to pitch a tent and the spots are so close together that you have no privacy from your neighbors. If that's your jam or you're camping with a group, could be fun. Other big downside is noise pollution - traffic on the 5, frequent trains (running late into night), and neighboring campers. Tip: The group campsite between spaces 46-66 and 67-93 is a nice area for group tent camping. Otherwise, I'd suggest spaces 24-45 (can put tent up on bluff a little further from road) or 125-175 (less traffic and a hair more space). read more

San Onofre State Beach - From space 162 at sunset - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

San Onofre beach area down from the state parking lot is in bad shape. All rocks along the beach and very little sand. Can't believe it went from the best beach around to this. Of course it's Mother Nature but in case you plan on going it's no longer worth a beach day. read more

Worst Beach ever, the Surfers are so rude and territorial, longest line to get in... Plus lots of Sharks, I guess it is their breeding area... I also heard the dolphins are really aggressive here and attacked a group of teenagers that were just swimming minding their own business. I would avoid this beach like the plague... Really Dirty too, Did I mention the famous San Onofre sand fleas, not too mention dangerous sea urchins and last but not least tons of sting rays... read more

San Onofre State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

This has to be one of my favorite beaches of all time. It is quiet and secluded. You feel like you own the beach. This beach is fur-baby friendly! So you can bring your dogs with you to the beach. Yayyyyyyy. I'm so over beaches that don't allow dogs. This is the best beach for a more peaceful experience. I almost didn't wanna write the review. Because it is going to get crowded when more people find out about it lol It is a close walk from the parking area too. Everything about this beach is great. The parking is hard though. Not a lot of parking, and it does fill up. What a perfect place for a picnic on the beach. read more

What a nice beach. It was even nicer years ago, but still so nostalgic and a nice location in South County. Yellow crush used to surf here, shout out to my girls! My kids now yell, "boobies" when we drive by, lol. read more

Directions to San Onofre Surfing Beach - from Downtown take 5 North - exit Basilone Rd - L @ stop sign n head south (Old Pacific Highway) - L at turn off before San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant (will go under bridge) - San Onofre Surfing Beach, pay $15 - It's between 5th and 6th restroom south of fire ring and tropical shade Enjoy your outing! read more

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This spot is sick! No public people wandering around like a normal beach. Very secluded and full of nature all around. Awesome beach straight for surfing. I recommend you get an electric bike with a surfboard mount like I do. It's a long walk to the beach. Parking is $15 all day. I got a annual pass for $199 for state beaches. I recommended it if you want some peace while surfing. No lifeguards read more

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I waited for over 1.5 hours in a line waiting for parking. Ridiculous. People were getting out of their cars and walking their dogs because it was so long read more

San Onofre State Beach - Looped line waiting for parking - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

I searched high n low for a quieter beach... we were here on a Thursday and we had plenty of space to choose from. There is a parking fee here but you park RIGHT at the beach front. Little rocky in some places, lots of little crabs, shells and happy surfer's!! No dogs allowed here.. I didn't see a shower to rinse off but there are life guards. Kids had a blast! read more

San Onofre State Beach - We chose the rockier part of the beach - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

One of my favorite places on the planet. It's the Waikiki of of Southern California and one of the best spots for beginners to learn how to surf. The rolling waves are gentle and go on for rides close to half a minute long. And everyone is so friendly and welcoming. No territorial surfers here. A lot of surfers actually will help you catch waves and give you pointers if they see that you're struggling. There are lots of camper vans and VW microbuses parked along the shore. It's like stepping back in time to a 1960's beach party. Things to note: this is a state park and they limit the number of cars allowed in at one time. On summer weekends there can be a long queue of cars waiting for their turn to get in. I arrived at 7:15 AM last Saturday and still had to wait in line for 2 hours before making it to the gate to pay the entrance fee. Get there as close to the 6 AM as you can, or try coming in the midday or afternoon as the dawn patrol starts leaving. Or visit on a weekday. The upside is that once inside, it's not overly crowded. You can park your car right along the sand and then hop in the water. The near shoreline can be a bit rocky, but the bottom quickly gets sandy as your paddle out. The only time it's tricky to navigate is when you're getting out of the water and you have to walk over the rocks. Lean over your surfboard and use its buoyancy to help take the weight off of your feet. read more

San Onofre State Beach - San Onofre - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Campground spots are hard to come by right now so I was super excited to snag a bluff campsite for my family a couple weeks ago. The site itself was OK, not great. Definitely geared more for the surfer looking for a place to crash at night. You hear the train all night long and are too far from the actual ocean to hear the waves much. If it weren't so hot when we went, we would have stayed the full reservation, but we wound up driving to a more kid friendly access beach after the first night. In order to get to the beach itself from the bluffs, it's a super steep hike down and back up and the beach itself is rocky and rough. Don't recommend for a family with smaller kids but it's great if you just want a place to lay your head at night. Bathrooms were clean enough and it wasn't super crowded when we got there, staff was all Helpful and kind. read more

San Onofre State Beach - This is the beach itself, a pretty hefty hike from the campsite down a not so well maintained path. - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

Ah San, O. Where else can you catch a Hawaii-grade wave without getting yelled at for dropping in on a semi-pro gnar-catcher? Here, that's where. Add to the vibe the fact that there are VW microbuses parked along the shore every day, and regulars hanging with regulars---always sunkissed and reliably eating PB&Js while watching the surf---and you've got yourself a look in backwards in time. This place has to drop a star because of the sheer wait time to get into the park sometimes. Especially on summer weekends, there can be a line over 2 hours long, particularly if you're unlucky enough to show up after 8 AM or so. If you're getting in at 9, you might as well forget about it, or park a mile and a half away and balance that board on your head while you make the sojourn down the hill. The shoreline is littered with rocks, so which can be really sharp, so be careful coming back in or going out to enjoy the waves. Water shoes recommended, and bail on a wave before you get to the sharp part of the shore or you will get hurt! Surf's up read more

San Onofre State Beach is known as a great place for surfers. It has an annual surfing competition hosted by the San Onofre Surf Club. But surfing is only one feature of this state park. Daytime activities include swimming, picnicing, and hiking. Scuba diving here is also good. There's also overnight camping here. read more

Low and slow waves for beginners learning to surf make this one of the best locations in San Clemente if you are new to wetsuits and boards. Relaxed vibe and friendly folk offer a welcoming environment. The entrance is shallow for a long way and you have to traverse over rocks, so that's not ideal, but it's worth it. State beach , so you need a yearly parking pass or pay for the day. For the price, you really only get the surf and not much sand. I'd only recommend this area for surfing , because there is minimal sand no place to really set up chairs, let kids play, etc. Additionally, there are basically no amenities at this beach - no snack bar or rentals or lockers. There is one or two showers and bathrooms. Leave the kids at home unless they surf , bring the board and pull right up for a beach- front parking spot and catch a wave ! read more

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Amazing Amazing Amazing. Yes. This is a breathtaking place for a long beautiful walk. read more

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I just want to say that even though I mentioned that I would probably never go back to this place, I lied!! I miss it and I really want to go back with my kids again. this time im bringing my own portable shower and I should be good!! read more

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I love San O! This is one of the main beaches I surf at and it is a great surfing beach - for all levels. I ride a long board, which most surfers out at San O are. Most short board surfers go to Trestles just north of San O. It has a rocky bottom so I'd recommend wearing surf booties. I love laying out at the beach here, so relaxing. The vibe is friendly and down to earth. Sometimes there is a line to get into San O, so go early if you want to beat the crowd - especially on weekends and during the Summer. There are bathrooms and showers available. Parking is right at the beach, so you don't have to walk far to get in the water! This beach is not free - it is a state beach. You can buy a day pass, but if you will go regularly get a year pass - it is good at all state parks - worth it!! read more

Most unfriendly surfers I have ever met at trails. Territorial. Bunch of older guys who dictate where you sit in the beach. I was from another county so I showed respect to the elders and left but I will warn everyone to stay away. read more

San Onofre State Beach - Trails - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

This place is so special to my husband and I. We love coming here around my birthday to celebrate our angel baby and have some time to ourselves we hope you love it as much as we do. read more

Dogs allowed on trails 1 and 6! Both trails are fairly flat to begin with and then get steeper as you get closer to the beach. Wore sandals going down, but with a dog running down the trail, I probably would have wanted to wear better shoes. It's $15 to park but our fee was waived since we were staying at the San Mateo campground and had a tag on our windshield. read more

Coming from New England--WOW. This beach is wonderful! Maintained, with some amenities (bathrooms, water stations to rinse your feet/boards) and parking right next to the beach. The price is a little steep ($15) but well worth it if you get in in the AM. Lots of families here spending the day with lunch, and it's very easy to know where the lifeguards are. If you head up towards the end of the beach, you can see SONGS (San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.) To the other end is a USMC camp. I wish we had a gem like this in Rhode Island. Our coastline is nice, but this beach has shade, clean amenities, and a much more 'community' like atmosphere. Check it out! read more

Who does not love going to the beach? I have yet to go to one I did not enjoy and this is a gorgeous stretch that does not get to crowded with people. Very well maintained and just simply beautiful. So nice to get away for the day and just enjoy the scenery. read more

San Onofre State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

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This place is beautiful with lots of trails down to the beach, clean bathrooms, friendly people and a helpful guard shack lady. We got all the information we needed and we will be back to camp for sure read more

San Onofre State Beach - Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

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. read more

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 1st 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. read more

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wow, why are there so many four and five star ratings for this BEACH ? This place is near a nuclear power plant. A few years ago there were several tons of rocks dumped at the water break for miles. Currently you need to pay $15.00 to park per day. Now, if you have a camper or Winnebago, there are designated areas that are separated by a three inch line. So, this is a good thing because you will meet whoever parks next to you. They do have public restrooms and the toilets are not bad. The public showers are outside in public view. Also, there are waste disposal stations for campers. The parking is far from the beach. You have to walk through designated paths to reach the beach.. Avoid leaving the path for warnings of rattlesnakes. Once you reach the beach, there are sandstone cliffs that are pretty unique to this area. After going down the cliff or walking down the vehicle ramp you will find dry grasses with plenty of grass thorns and sandspurs - wear shoes. The area between the sand and the parking lot has this fine reddish dirt that pulverizes and spreads through everything near it, including your car, body, clothes, hair and shoes. Now you are at the beach, you walk towards the water because there are some good waves and you can definitely surf. However, you have to walk through approximately 25 yards of stones dumped the entire length of the beach by the city to prevent erosion. Come on ! Seriously. If you decide to go on a long walk and walk south, you will find a no trespassing sign on a fence warning that you are about to enter the military base private area. Five years ago, before the stones were dumped on the beach, I went into this area and walked for miles and yes, I could put up with the sandspurs, dirt-path and nudity. However, upon my return, three marines in uniform were lining up everyone walking back to their car and giving citations one at a time. Just out of pure luck, I was walking on the water the whole way back. Later I found out that the oceans are not private property so you are not trespassing into private property as long as you are splashing as you walk. So be warned you can receive a citation. I was so disappointed driving from Hollywood to this place. The beach stones, distance from parking area, $15.00 day parking fee, no trespassing signs, sandspurs and the friendly no nudity signs (LOL) does not make this beach a four or five star. Sure, if you own a Winnebago, there is a place to park it with a $35.00 overnight additional fee. I suggest you drive another 45 minutes south and go to Blacks Beach in La Jolla. 1. parking is free 2. no sandspurs 3. beautiful cliffs 4. no stones on the beach 5. clear clean water 6. plenty of surfing 7. free Winnebago parking 8. no signs at all specially about trespassing 9. the sun rises and sets 10. bbq areas available 11. beach volleyball areas 12. amazing views The one obstacle is making it down the cliff at the very end. This is not a good place for someone with physical disabilities. There is an easier walkway by the Hang Gliding Company which is closer to the entrance of the beach. read more

2 COLD DAYS !!! WOW - here over the weekend with the fam freezing our butts off - BUT WAVES WERE AWESOME - YEEEEEHAW!! Surfed both Old Mans and Dogpatch .. Dog definitely ruled! Parking at this time of year is easy drive right in and pull right up - better bring your full suit if your getting in the water though! SUMMERTIME - NOPE! PARKING SUCKS read more

San Onofre, or otherwise known as SanO, is a great beach explore! I wouldn't recommend swimming, because of the rocky bottom, but if you are a surfer, this is the best surf spot in town. I usually go to take my 3 dogs to the dog beach, which is located at the very end of the dirt road, on the main beach of SanO. It's a great beach to just let them run and play in the sand. And, if you have a dog who likes to run away and pretend to not listen, like one of my pups, its PERFECT because there is no where for them to run to. The beach is composed of cliffs on one side and ocean on the other, with the exception of where you would enter, since at the far south end it runs into the San Onofre retired power plant; which is fenced off, with no access. The water is usually clean and the locals are nice and forgiving. BE PREPARED with sun block and a towel, but also brace for dog drool and a slight wet dog smell if there are other dogs there. Also, to get into the beaches or trails there is a fee of $15, unless you have a State Park Pass, like me! : ) If you are planning to go down any of the trails, some of them can be steep and slippery with sand, so be careful walking them. You can take dogs on most of the trails and beaches, as long as they are leashed. Parking is first come, first serve. It is located on the dirt road that backs up onto the beach. There are not designated lines for spots, so be friendly to how much or little space you give your neighbor. There is also a couple handicap spots, if needed. If all the spots are filled up, a line of cars will form at the ranger station, and they will let more cars come in as people leave and drive out. Be aware that this is a VERY popular beach on holidays like Memorial Day and Fourth of July (even though you cannot see the fireworks from here), but people like to come and have bonfires and parties, so parking can be tricky. SanO overall is a fun place to enjoy the views, surf, hang with friends, and soak in some rays. read more

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