San Onofre State Beach

A comfy campout with 2 to 5 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Ideal for first-timers

Surfer watching at Trestles Beach at San Onofre State Beach

Surfer watching at Trestles Beach at San Onofre State Beach

Surfer watching at Trestles Beach at San Onofre State Beach

Surfer watching at Trestles Beach at San Onofre State Beach

Surfer watching at Trestles Beach at San Onofre State Beach

Designed by Yvonne Leow

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Last updated
March 8, 2022

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Friends and new campers

Vibe · Relaxing and chill

Reservations · Yes, reserve a site at San Mateo Campground

Drive · 1.5 hours from LA

Ideal dates · July to October

Pets · Welcome at camp and down by trails 1 and 6

San Onofre State Beach (SOSB) is one of the top five most visited state parks in CA and rightly so. It has 5.5 miles of coastline, which makes it a camper's playground and a surfer's dream. Trestles Beach within SOSB is considered the best year-round surf break in America! For campers, there are six numbered trails (1 to 6) that takes you below towering sandstone bluffs down to the rocky beach. Use the restroom before you hike down and settle in for awesome surfer-watching and ocean views.

Official State Park Website

Directions To Campground

Main image credit: California State Parks Foundation

Stuff to know

  • The beaches and trails are rocky so wear closed-toe shoes while hiking at SOSB
  • April to May is wildflower season!
  • Pups are welcome at camp and only on trails 1 and 6
  • If you're only visiting for the day, there's a $15 parking fee
  • Stow away and secure your belongings overnight!

Resources

Check the weather
San Onofre State Beach

Where to camp

San Mateo Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

  • Picnic table
  • Fire ring and grill
  • Space for up to 8 people
  • Three parking spots
  • Trash collection (on site)
  • Restrooms and showers (on site)

San Mateo Campground is a 20-minute walk to the rugged coastline of San Onofre State Beach, but it offers plenty of modern amenities for RV and tent campers alike. The campground has hot, coin-operated showers, restrooms, and RV hookup sites with electricity and water. Some campers suggest bringing ear plugs because you might hear the hum of the highway, but the campground's convenient location to the beach makes it hard to beat.

Check-in: After 2 PM · Check-out: 12 PM

View San Mateo Campground Map

Nightly Rate: $40

San Mateo Campground
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Itinerary

Day One

The Fuel Shack
The Fuel Shack. Credit: Yelp

Leave LA by 11 AM and grab lunch at The Fuel Shack

  • Diners love their bagels, and chicken and waffles!
  • Located at 360 Camino De Estrella in San Clemente
  • Open Tuesdays to Sundays · 7 AM to 1 PM
  • Last pit stop · 76 - 1201 S El Camino Real in San Clemente

Check in and settle in at San Mateo Campground

  • Set up camp, wander around the campground, and relax

Cook up dinner and s'mores

  • Prep dinner, s'mores, and enjoy an evening of drinking and stargazing
San Onofre State Beach was created by Presidential Decree in 1971, and it's leased from the Department of the Navy until 2024

Day Two

Trestles Beach
Trestles Beach

Make brekkie, pack a picnic, and hike to Trestles Beach

  • This is a 3.1 mile round-trip hike, with 300 feet of elevation gain, to Trestles Wetlands Natural Preserve
  • Pack a daypack with a lunch, snacks, sunscreen, sunhat, bug spray, and water
  • ​Spend the afternoon surfer-watching, lounging, and exploring the world-class Trestles Beach

Return to camp and unwind

  • Clean up, prep a delicious meal and warm up with your favorite hot bevvie
  • Roast up s'mores and soak up your last night in San Onofre State Beach
For thousands of years, native Acjachemen people lived in what is now northern San Diego county. Panhe is an ancient Acjachemen village still located in SOSB.

Day Three

San Onofre State Beach
San Onofre State Beach

Pack up and check out before noon

  • Cook up brekkie, clean up around camp, and throw away any random pieces of litter

Head home!

The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher is not only adorable, but also one of ten nationally endangered species that call SOSB home

Packing List

Essential Items
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Clothing
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Personal Stuff
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Camp Kitchen
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Shared Gear
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