State Beach

San Onofre State Beach

San Diego County, CaliforniaAbout 2,043 acres

Also known as San Onofre SB

Status
Open (per official listing)
Entrance fee
$15 per dayAnnual pass available
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Dogs allowed, with restrictions
Camping
Yes
Official site
parks.ca.gov(949) 492-4872

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Current alerts 3

Alert The U.S. Marine Corps will conduct military training November 17–21, 2026, in two areas of public land near Churches at San Onofre State Beach. Military personnel will be wearing field uniforms and equipped with military gear, vehicles, equipment, and weapons. For public safety, visitors… (more)

ch. Military personnel will be wearing field uniforms and equipped with military gear, vehicles, equipment, and weapons. For public safety, visitors must maintain a minimum distance of 300 feet from all military training activities. For additional information, contact the 1st Marine Logistics Group Communication Strategy & Operations Office at (760) 763-0755.

Posted by the park. Official alert

Alert San Onofre Surf Beach – Parking and Access Restrictions (Oct. 29, 2026) The lower dirt parking lots at San Onofre Surf Beach will remain closed through the fall and winter due to ongoing coastal erosion risks. Conditions will be monitored throughout winter and reassessed in spring. Surf… (more)

sed through the fall and winter due to ongoing coastal erosion risks. Conditions will be monitored throughout winter and reassessed in spring. Surf Beach remains open to surfers, pedestrians and bicyclists. The small upper paved parking lot remains open, but space is limited and wait times may be significant. Visitors are encouraged to park at Trails and bicycle to Surf Beach. Restroom 1, located at the bottom of the hill in the northernmost portion of the lower dirt parking area, is open and is the only operational restroom at Surf Beach. State Parks is working with Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and community stakeholders to explore alternative access and parking solutions while prioritizing public safety and emergency vehicle access.

Posted by the park. Official alert

Partial closure Partial Closure — In-progress IncidentSan Onofre Surf Beach – Parking and Access Restrictions (Oct. 29, 2026) The lower dirt parking lots at San Onofre Surf Beach will remain closed… (more)

San Onofre Surf Beach – Parking and Access Restrictions (Oct. 29, 2026) The lower dirt parking lots at San Onofre Surf Beach will remain closed through the fall and winter due to ongoing coastal erosion risks. Conditions will be monitored throughout winter and reassessed in spring. Surf Beach remains open to surfers, pedestrians and bicyclists. The small upper paved parking lot remains open, but space is limited and wait times may be significant. Visitors are encouraged to park at Trails and bicycle to Surf Beach. Restroom 1, located at the bottom of the hill in the northernmost portion of the lower dirt parking area, is open and is the only operational restroom at Surf Beach. State Parks is working with Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and community stakeholders to explore alternative access and parking solutions while prioritizing public safety and emergency vehicle access.

Posted by the park 2026-10-29. Official alert

Overview

IMAG3381-san-onofre
IMAG3381-san-onofre. Photo: Alfred Twu. CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication)

In San Diego County, about 6 miles southeast of San Clemente, San Onofre State Beach covers about 2,043 acres.

Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, surfing, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. On the water side, there is a swimming beach. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.

Hours

Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.

FacilityDaysHoursSeason
Swimming — Surf BeachNot stated6 a.m. – 10 p.m.—
Not stated6 a.m. – 8 p.m.—
TrailsDaily6 a.m. – sunset—
CampgroundDaily6 a.m. – 10 p.m.—
Official wording

Surf Beach: 4/15-9/31: 6AM-10PM 10/1-4/14: 6AM-8PM

Bluffs/Trails: 6AM-Sunset

San Mateo Campground: 6AM-10PM

Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).

Fees and passes

ItemAmount
Vehicle Day Use (Regular)$15
Vehicle Day Use (Special Holiday/Seasonal/Weekend Rate)$20
Official wording

Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods, and during weekends. Prices are subject to change without notice. • Vehicle Day Use (Regular): $15.00 • Vehicle Day Use (Special Holiday/Seasonal/Weekend Rate): $20.00

California park passes

  • California Explorer Annual Pass — $195. Vehicle day-use entry to 134 state parks incl. high-demand Southern California beaches Details
  • Golden Poppy Annual Pass — $125. Vehicle day-use entry to 112 state parks Details
  • Historian Passport — $50. Admission for up to four people at per-person-fee State Historic Parks Details
  • Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Annual Pass — $50. Entry to State Vehicular Recreation Areas that collect day-use fees Details
  • SNO-Park Pass — $40 season / $15 day. 18 SNO-PARK winter recreation areas Details

From the California state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.

Reservations

Day use
No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
Booking system
ReserveCalifornia
Phone
(800) 444-7275

Check availability and book

We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.

Pets

Dogs allowed, with restrictions

Not allowed in or on: buildings or on the beach.

Are dogs allowed? Yes: Except for service animals, dogs not allowed in buildings or on the beach.

Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.

Camping

Camping

When camping is available, the entrance to San Onofre Bluffs Campground will be locked & closed daily from 10pm until 6am. Please plan prior to your arrival if you need to check in for your reservation after that time.

Our maximum trailer/motorhome lengths are as follows:

  • Bluffs and San Mateo Campgrounds: 36 Feet
  • Surf Beach: 25 Feet

Overnight facilities: En route Campsites, Tent Camping, Group Campsites, Remote Camping, RV/Trailer Campsites w/Hookups, RV Dump Station, RV Access

Max trailer: 25 feet

Max camper/motorhome: 25 feet

From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.

Things to do

PicnickingFishingSnorkeling and scubaSwimmingWildlife viewing and birdingSurfingGeocachingHikingBikingCamping

Amenities

Facilities

  • Restrooms
  • Showers
  • Drinking water
  • Picnic areas
  • Nature center or museum
  • Parking
  • Group facilities

Water

  • Swimming beach

Camping

  • RV dump station
  • Tent camping
  • RV camping
  • Group camping

✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.

Accessibility

Overview

San Onofre State Beach has three distinct areas: the San Onofre Bluffs, the San Mateo Campground, and the San Onofre Surf Beach, which offers a world renowned and historical surf break. The state beach is three miles south of the city of San Clemente on Interstate 5 at Basilone Road. Phone (949) 492-4872 for more information.

Camping

San Onofre Bluffs: 13 tent sites and two RV/trailer sites are designated as accessible. Generally accessible parking and restrooms are available.

San Mateo Campground: Three tent sites and two RV/trailer sites are designated accessible. Generally accessible parking, restrooms, & showers are available. Showers may require assistance reaching spray unit and coin box. The campfire center is generally accessible, including parking and route.

Beach/Shore Access

A beach wheelchair is available for use free of charge. During the peak season, from June 1st through September 15th, call the lifeguard tower at (949) 366-8592 any day to reserve a beach wheelchair. In the off season, call on weekends.

Official accessibility information

Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.

Getting there

Address
Cristianitos Rd
San Clemente, CA 92672
Nearest town
San Clemente — about 6 mi southeast (straight line)
Coordinates
33.3779, -117.5682
Phone
(949) 492-4872

Entrances

  • Directions point

Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)

Directions from the park

The beach is three miles south of San Clemente on I-5 (Basilone Road.)

Nearby state parks

Sources and freshness

“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology

Report a correction for this park