San Onofre State Beach

San Onofre (Sano) is literally my favorite beach — hands down. It’s one of the few places in Orange County that still feels totally secluded and untouched. There are no houses, no crowds of tourists, and when you’re there, it honestly feels like you’ve escaped OC completely. It’s an amazing spot for surfing — especially for longboarding and mid-length boards. Most days the waves are mellow and perfect, but on the bigger days, it can get really fun. It’s not always great at high tide, and when there’s a negative tide it can get super rocky, so timing is key. There’s so much more to love about Sano than just the surf, though. There are volleyball courts, BBQs, and tons of space to hang out with friends and family. Dogs are allowed, which makes it even better, and the lifeguards there are top-notch — super friendly and always keeping an eye out. The park staff does an incredible job keeping the bathrooms and grounds so clean, and there are even outdoor showers to rinse off after a long day in the water. The only real downside is the long line to get in, especially on weekends, and the rangers don’t always check for open spots, which makes it move slower. But I usually e-bike in, which skips the wait completely — and honestly, that’s part of why I love it. There’s just something about Sano: the mellow vibe, the sound of the waves, the community feel, and that sense of being totally off the grid. It’s pure magic. 🌊☀️🔥

Honestly, we just stopped here as a quick pit stop, and we were pleasantly surprised to find a stort hike/beach trail. Really great views, and right off the highway. There is beach access, but it's a bit of an incline

beautiful place, the beach is big and extremely pretty, great place to spend the day and maybe catch some waves

Nice surfing place. Long Board for the most part

If you're looking for a great beach to do some camping, plenty of beach trails, lots of people to meet who are also camping, swimming, and hiking, then this is a pretty good spot. I thought there were some really good scenic views at this particular beach and the way the rock has worn has some unique striations. I've never been to this beach before but it was super peaceful and plenty of room so you don't feel overcrowded like it's some beaches. The speech feels like you go here more for nature than to socialize. Peaceful spot!

I love walking around here especially when I can show up at low tide which exposes tide pools that you can check out as well.

Beautiful beach. The trek down and back up from the beach is steep. Definitely difficult with small children if you don't have help. Great for surfing but watch out for the rocks!! 3 star review because***Lots of off leash dogs here. So heads up because owners are not watching their dogs, they are out surfing or half way down the beach. Very unsafe imo.

$15 to enter the park, but it's an all day pass, so bring your food and drinks with you. Great for surfing, about 90% of the people there were surfing. Its worth going and spending the day

Really nice quiet beach, people are really considerate of keeping their animals out of the sand & water; never had an issue with trash. Bathrooms are clean and don't stink

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

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

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.

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).

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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!!

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 !

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.

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!!

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.

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!

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.

The beach is beautiful. The surf history amazing. But the employees in the pay kiosk are the lamest. There is one specific little boy that is very arrogant. The wait to enter is handled very haphazardly and the boys working it are lazy.

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

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

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.

San onofre bluff camp site just up the road, I give two stars for the following reasons: The people next to us have two big dogs, that as far as I know all dogs need to be kept in a leash, and their not, and it's annoying because their wondering around our spot and making our small dog bark. And this morning the same dogs early in the morning are running on our side and the people are clueless that any of my group can still be sleeping. And an other reason is that when we got here, and since their a big group, some of the tents and other stuff was already reaching our spot. So for those camping in any site be aware that you're not the only ones camping and follow the rules of the camping grounds, and respect the space of others, as well to follow the rules as it includes the times for no noise and talking loundy past the time set.

Great surf and beach to go to for beginners and advanced. The vibe is nice as well. Parking in the summer can be crowded but that's because it's such an awesome beach. It's a nice slow mellow wave that is good for all ages. Sea slugs, turtles, great whites, dolphins can all be seen here.

All I can say is WOW! I am obsessed with this beach (even though I don't surf). I'm not much of a sand person so I prefer not hanging out at the beach, but this beach you can basically drive your car right up to the water for an amazing view. If you're not a surfer like everyone else that goes to this beach, it's still a great beach to have a date night at or a picnic and watch the sunset. It's 15 dollars for parking, since it is a state beach, but it's worth it!

A hidden gem. Malibu and Huntington are notorious for surfing. I had never heard or been here before. It's near a military base which sounds weird initially. But it's quite picturesque. You could spend the whole day here. It's lovely and you'll find yourself deep in surfing culture. There's not much around here so you'll have to drive north to get supplies.

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...

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!

Posted yesterday's surf-session under the San Mateo Campground cuz, you know, I was camping. But I came for the beach...

Don't get caught in the wait line if parking lot is full! We made the mistake of getting in line to wait and it's a one lane line with no exit once you get in. Waited 30 min! Unless your more patient than me!

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.

Wonderful surf beach with great day use. Camping is just up the road. Negatives are construction ongoing nearby which make for a less than desirable view point of the bluffs but the ocean view makes up for everything! Loved this place for a bit more of a quiet sunset than some of the beaches!

This is a great beach for dogs but not for kids to play in the water. Be careful! This happened on trail #1 and the trail down is super steep. But on the positive side my dog had a great time.

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.

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.

0 STAR because the tips and reviews about having this beach pet friendly was a LIE! We spent an hour driving around trying to find a spot where we can bring our four legged kids but NO LUCK! Best bet is HUNTINGTON BEACH! Disappointed because now we have to drive another hour to get to our destination. Thanks a lot unreliable Yelpers! The deception the betrayal! 5 STARS = beach is clean and nice not crowded! Very rocky for the most part!

I grew up coming here, and my husband and i have been coming here every year for the last 11 years. whether you day camp or overnight it, it cannot be beat. beautiful beach, the only (and i mean ONLY draw back) to camping here is the noise from the freeway & the train. bring some ear plugs and you are good to go :) fall and winter time are the quietest times to come here. the sage smells amazing and most of the people who camp here are families and surfers, all just very down to earth and friendly. the bathrooms are usually well maintained and clean. the trail down to the beach can be a bit grueling to climb up and down - so make sure to bring everything you need with you down the trail, so you won't have to climb up and down as often, (great for mini work outs though)!

San Onofre Bluffs Campground isn't primitive camping. There are other campers right by your campsite. The cost of camping isn't even worth the lot. The lot is smaller than the average living room size. Plus, the campsite is near train tracks. Almost every hour we hear loud trains drive by. There are problems with the site too many to list. I wouldn't go here for the price they ask

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.

This review really only pertains to Trail 6. It seems that based on the other reviews, no one has thought to mention (or venture to?) SO since they banned the awful, scary nude people that were running amuck and exposing themselves to the local wildlife. I won't bother going into detail about how to get there or what to look out for if you plan on parking it south of the last trail; Symon S. did a great job of describing all of that already. What I will tell you is that, when I went there recently, the overwhelming number of signs reminding visitors not to take their clothes off (good taxpayer dollars at work people) did not seem to deter us from doing just that. I was planning on blaming the public school system on my inability to read ANY of their signs in case I got caught. Anyway, the usual took place: I really didn't see many park rangers on the beach, there was only one other female on the beach beside myself, the helicopters from Pendleton circled around lower and more frequently as the day passed (totally not saying this is on account of me but, rather, routine training exercises), and surfers came and went as the swell did. Now, that all being said, I'm sure that will all change as summer approaches.

Camped at San Onofre on weekend of 9/24/2010-9/26/2010. We had camp spots 167 & 168...excellent view of ocean and evening sunset. It's a bit of a walk down the bluff to get to the beach but worth the walk if you're in decent shape. Some people left negative feedback regarding the close proximity of parking spot to camping spot and I would agree with them BUT our location (spots 167 & 168) had ample space compared to many of the other camp spots. Great beach for surfing and bodyboarding! We'll be back next year!

The wait in a one lane to get into the beach is horrible!! Do not recommend if you want to enjoy the beach right away. We have been waiting in line for about an hour. Hoping the beach is worth it.

The campground itself is nice. The bathrooms toilets are RV toilets. That's lame. Freeway noise and trains are just to close when sleeping. Military aircraft fly by often enough and that's entertaining. We had spot 113. Had a good view of the ocean.

This is was amazing!!!! One of the more spontaneous things my boyfriend and I have done, we decided to get up early and take the bus (1 south) with our bikes from Huntington until the last stop in San Clemente where we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly... We were lucky enough to stumble upon this beach and the camp grounds, Erik had been there as a kid and knew right where to go! Very secluded and quiet. We really enjoyed the fact that we had the train tracks right there and used all the change we could find to make some souvenirs :) I can't wait till it gets warmer and we can go camping there! 5 stars for this little hidden gem!!

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.

San o always makes for a good day trip get away. Personally I think the camping sucks there because the campsites are up on the cliff quite away s away from the water and rite next to the freeway and truck weigh station so you have all that city noise. Also the showers are cold with no hot water option.