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San Onofre State Beach sits at the edge of a 3,000-acre scenic coastal canyon area. Native Acjachemen, Spanish missionaries, rancheros, caballeros, the United States Marines and surfing legends have all made history at San Onofre. The diverse recreational and natural offerings of this park’s three distinct sections - San Onofre Bluffs, San Onofre Surf Beach and San Mateo Campground - make it one of the most popular state parks in California.
San Onofre Bluffs offers camping and day-use parking along Old Highway 101 adjacent to the sandstone bluffs. The beach below is popular with swimmers and surfers with six rugged dirt access trails cut into the bluff above. All campsites include a fire pit and picnic table. The campground offers cold outdoor showers and chemical toilets. No hookups are available however there is a dump-station.
San Onofre Surf Beach offers a world renowned and historical surf break. The beach is strictly available for day-use with no camping. Chemical toilets and a limited number of fire pits are available. ALCOHOL IS NO LONGER PERMITTED.
San Onofre - San Mateo Campground lies a short distance inland from the 3.5-miles of sandy beaches within San Onofre State Beach. A 1.5-mile Nature Trail connects the campground to Trestles Beach, a world class surfing site. San Mateo Creek flows just east of the campground outward towards the ocean creating key riparian and wetland habitats which host some rare and even endangered species. All campsites include a fire pit and picnic table. Hookup sites are available with electricity and water. Other amenities include a dump-station, hot indoor showers, and flush toilets. Camping is available year-round.
Getting There
San Onofre Bluffs and San Onofre Surf Beach are located south of San Clemente on I-5 (Exit Basilone Road). San Onofre - San Mateo Campground is located on the outer edge of San Clemente 1 mile inland from I-5 (Exit Cristianitos).
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
San Onofre Bluffs and San Onofre Surf Beach are located south of San Clemente on I-5 (Exit Basilone Road). San Onofre - San Mateo Campground is located on the outer edge of San Clemente 1 mile inland from I-5 (Exit Cristianitos).
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Seasons/Climate
The climate is moderate. Balmy sea breezes roll in from the coast, cooling the air along the shore. Coastal fog is often present in early morning and at night.
The climate is moderate. Balmy sea breezes roll in from the coast, cooling the air along the shore. Coastal fog is often present in early morning and at night.
Operating Hours & Contact
Please call the park at 949-492-4872 for operating hours.
Please call the park at 949-492-4872 for operating hours.
Camping
Two separate campgrounds at San Mateo and San Onofre Bluffs have a total of 333 tent or RV campsites.
Make Campground Reservations
Two separate campgrounds at San Mateo and San Onofre Bluffs have a total of 333 tent or RV campsites.
Make Campground Reservations
Activities
Day Use: Two of the state’s most popular surfing beaches attract wave riders - Surf Beach and Trestles Beach. Non-surfers may picnic, swim, walk or relax here.
Trails: Hikers enjoy miles of backcountry on San Mateo campground trails. At the San Onofre Bluffs campground there are seven quarter mile-long trails leading to the beach from the bluff top.
Special Events and Activities: The park hosts varied activities during the year, including surf competitions, beach clean-ups, Junior Ranger programs, an annual Earth Day celebration at Panhe, and other interpretive and educational programs. Visit the San Onofre Foundation website for current special events and activities.
Day Use: Two of the state’s most popular surfing beaches attract wave riders - Surf Beach and Trestles Beach. Non-surfers may picnic, swim, walk or relax here.
Trails: Hikers enjoy miles of backcountry on San Mateo campground trails. At the San Onofre Bluffs campground there are seven quarter mile-long trails leading to the beach from the bluff top.
Special Events and Activities: The park hosts varied activities during the year, including surf competitions, beach clean-ups, Junior Ranger programs, an annual Earth Day celebration at Panhe, and other interpretive and educational programs. Visit the San Onofre Foundation website for current special events and activities.
Natural History
The park lies on the edge of the Santa Ana Mountains, along the Pacific Ocean. Its habitats and terrains vary from flat, sandy beaches to sheer coastal cliffs, marshes to alluvial floodplains, and prairies to rolling foothills. Spectacular vertical terraces, nearly 100 feet tall, form beachside bluffs.
Wildlife
Ten federally endangered or threatened species seek shelter at San Onofre. The steelhead trout, tidewater goby, San Diego fairy shrimp, Riverside fairy shrimp, arroyo toad, Pacific pocket mouse, least Bell’s vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher are endangered. The Western snowy plover and California gnatcatcher are threatened.
The nearly pristine water of the San Mateo and San Onofre watersheds provide one of the last ecosystems for these delicate species. The watershed, home to many bird and aquatic species, is also the last natural wildlife corridor connecting the Cleveland National Forest to the ocean. Offshore, visitors may spot sea lions, dolphins or migrating whales in season.
Vegetation
Mediterranean-type plant life - adapted to handle winter rains and warm, dry summers - dominates San Onofre’s habitats. Common plants are sycamore, California sage, laurel sumac and grasses.
The park lies on the edge of the Santa Ana Mountains, along the Pacific Ocean. Its habitats and terrains vary from flat, sandy beaches to sheer coastal cliffs, marshes to alluvial floodplains, and prairies to rolling foothills. Spectacular vertical terraces, nearly 100 feet tall, form beachside bluffs.
Wildlife
Ten federally endangered or threatened species seek shelter at San Onofre. The steelhead trout, tidewater goby, San Diego fairy shrimp, Riverside fairy shrimp, arroyo toad, Pacific pocket mouse, least Bell’s vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher are endangered. The Western snowy plover and California gnatcatcher are threatened.
The nearly pristine water of the San Mateo and San Onofre watersheds provide one of the last ecosystems for these delicate species. The watershed, home to many bird and aquatic species, is also the last natural wildlife corridor connecting the Cleveland National Forest to the ocean. Offshore, visitors may spot sea lions, dolphins or migrating whales in season.
Vegetation
Mediterranean-type plant life - adapted to handle winter rains and warm, dry summers - dominates San Onofre’s habitats. Common plants are sycamore, California sage, laurel sumac and grasses.
Park History
This park was once part of Rancho de San Onofrio y Santa Margarita, more than 89,000 acres granted to brothers Pío Pico and Andrés Pico by Governor Luis Alvarado in 1841. Three years later, the brothers were granted another 44,000 acres at Rancho Las Flores. California’s largest land grant, at 133,440 acres, became known as Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores. The U.S. Government acquired the land by eminent domain in 1942 for a U.S. Marine Corps training facility. This facility, Camp Joseph H. Pendleton, was dedicated on September 25, 1942, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
San Onofre State Beach was leased to the state by the United States Marine Corps in 1971. San Onofre - with its surf spots at Trestles and neighboring beaches - has a longtime association with the sport of surfing and the evolution of Southern California’s modern surf culture. San Onofre’s consistent wave breaks have attracted dedicated surfers since 1933. Surfing competitions began in 1938.
This park was once part of Rancho de San Onofrio y Santa Margarita, more than 89,000 acres granted to brothers Pío Pico and Andrés Pico by Governor Luis Alvarado in 1841. Three years later, the brothers were granted another 44,000 acres at Rancho Las Flores. California’s largest land grant, at 133,440 acres, became known as Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores. The U.S. Government acquired the land by eminent domain in 1942 for a U.S. Marine Corps training facility. This facility, Camp Joseph H. Pendleton, was dedicated on September 25, 1942, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
San Onofre State Beach was leased to the state by the United States Marine Corps in 1971. San Onofre - with its surf spots at Trestles and neighboring beaches - has a longtime association with the sport of surfing and the evolution of Southern California’s modern surf culture. San Onofre’s consistent wave breaks have attracted dedicated surfers since 1933. Surfing competitions began in 1938.
Accessible Features
San Mateo Campground has five sites that are generally accessible. Two of them have electrical hookups. Restrooms with showers: Toilets are accessible. Showers may require assistance reaching spray unit and coin box.
The San Mateo Beach Access Trail is an interpretive trail accessible for about 0.25 mile along a coastal bluff. Trailhead and parking are available in campground south of visitor center.
Beach wheelchair is available. From June 1 through about September 15th, call the lifeguard tower at (949) 366-8592 any day to reserve a beach wheelchair. In the off season, call on weekends.
San Mateo Campground has five sites that are generally accessible. Two of them have electrical hookups. Restrooms with showers: Toilets are accessible. Showers may require assistance reaching spray unit and coin box.
The San Mateo Beach Access Trail is an interpretive trail accessible for about 0.25 mile along a coastal bluff. Trailhead and parking are available in campground south of visitor center.
Beach wheelchair is available. From June 1 through about September 15th, call the lifeguard tower at (949) 366-8592 any day to reserve a beach wheelchair. In the off season, call on weekends.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
San Onofre Trail 3 to the Cristianitos Fault
A moderate beach hike along a geologically significant area in San Onofre State Beach, visting the Cristianitos fault.
A moderate beach hike along a geologically significant area in San Onofre State Beach, visting the Cristianitos fault.
Moderate
3.8 mi
6.1 km
6.1 km
Guides
A moderate beach hike along a geologically significant area in San Onofre State Beach, visting the Cristianitos fault.
Community Trips
A hike to the Christianitos Fault in San Onofre State Beach.
Joan and I took a Saturday morning stroll down to the legendary Trestles surf beach. Enjoyed watching the waves and soaking in a little more San Clemente surfing culture. I'll be posting the details at SoCal Hiker.
We wre out fixing the rain damaged trails.
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