San Onofre Recreation Beach and Camping, near San Clemente, California, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the sun, surf, and sand. This campground is located on a military base, which adds an extra layer of safety and cleanliness that visitors appreciate.

The sites here offer stunning ocean views, especially from the bluffs, making it a prime location for beach lovers and surfers alike. Many campers rave about the beautiful scenery, with one noting, “Great location with views of the ocean.” You’ll find amenities like picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for evening gatherings after a day spent on the beach.

While the campground is popular among surfers, it can get busy during the summer months, so arriving early is a smart move. Some campers have mentioned the noise from the nearby freeway and trains, but many find the trade-off worth it for the easy beach access and the chance to catch some waves. If you’re bringing your furry friend, keep in mind that dogs aren’t allowed on the beach, but there’s a dog beach about a half-hour drive away.

With its close proximity to San Clemente and San Diego, you can easily explore local attractions or just kick back and enjoy the laid-back vibe of San Onofre. Whether you’re camping in a tent, RV, or cabin, this spot has something for everyone looking to soak up the California sun.

Located at the north end of Camp Pendleton, the San Onofre Beach Campgrounds are one of three areas aboard the base that patrons can utilize year round.

San Onofre Recreation Beach and Camping

Join the fun near San Clemente. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. San Clemente is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Get the dirt on all the best camping near San Clemente. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

San Clemente

The Best Camping Near San Clemente, California

We stayed in the cottages and it was nice. The organazational skills of their staff needs an overhaul but other than that it was a nice place to stay.

San Onofre beach

As long as you get a beach front spot you are set. It's a beautiful campground kept relatively clean. Great spot for surfers, just keep eyes out for sharks

Beach front beauty

We tent camped here.  The sites are TIGHT sand the campground crowded.  BUT, the tent spots are ocean front.  It was wonderful!  so for that I could overlook the crowded sites.  It is more for surfing than playing in the waves on the beach, there are rocks spread out making it less enjoyable for kids, but our crew were happy there. 

Beachfront

The campsites are small but it is clean and family friendly also located right next to the beach. The beach is rocky in some parts and soft sand in others, if you are a surfer you must go catch a wave here. You must have a military ID to camp here, you can have alcohol on the beach but no glass. They have a play set for kids right next to the campsites. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash, Full hook ups are available for RV’s but you need a surge protector and a water filter is advised if you want to drink the water. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire pit. Fun, Safe, Clean we love staying here for a easy quick trip when we want to get out but not due to much planning or packing.

Right by the Big Blue

Love the bluff view but if you get sites 105-118 youll be blocked by the condemned cottages. Still a great place for rv’s even if they are water and electric only, Theres a dumpsite near the park. The beach is very rocky in most parts but there is a small nice sandy part for kids to get into the water. Staff is great in person but be prepared to wait hours on the phone to make reservations. 

Amazing view

Great beach campground. We had all the connections, though this is definitely beach camping. Sites are nothing fancy, bath house is pretty much open air so sand everywhere and steel toilets with outdoor showers. Lots of people while we were there but it was still a good location and good stay.

Fun Military Beach Campground

This campground is so picturesque! It has a camp store, cabin rentals, and camping spots 10 feet from the sand. There are tent only, partial hookup, and full hookup sites available. Other amenities include playground, bathrooms and showers, a baseball field, and even a large gathering hall! The only downside to this location is that it is for military only, but this keeps the crowds down. The ocean wildlife is so cool, and at low tide you can see octopus, starfish, and all kinds of small fish/crabs. The views are spectacular!

The best Military beach retreat ever!

If you have the opportunity to stay here, please do! Its not too common to be able to camp this close to the water! The sites lack privacy but are perfect for RVs and trailers

Location is rare

IF you get to camp here, it's a unique experience because not many campgrounds that claim to be on the beach actually ARE on the beach.  They pack these sites in with ZERO privacy between each site so be prepared to get to know your neighbors.  The fire pits are HUGE and so lots of room for people to fit.  The sites are teeny so you may have to squeeze in if there is more than one tent - but it's all about the fun of hanging with friends on the beach.  We got to listen to someone play the bagpipes at sunset which was one of the coolest moments ever!

Take the bad with the good

This military campground is located within walking distance of two world class surfing breaks; Old Man's and Tressels. This campground has a variety of camp spots from tent, RV to cabins. You have to make reservation thru the military systems to camp here. There's a baseball diamond. The bathrooms are clean. Try to grab the RV spots on the north side of the campground. 

  

Cell Service: Excellent

2 World Class Surf Breaks

Note that you do need to be military or have a connection. If you do, you're in luck! There's great surfing, and the campground has good facilities

Great surf, military camping

Love this place   Camping and the beach !!

Great!!

On base

I camped in space #8 in The Bluffs Campground last night - beautiful view of the ocean, but literally right on the 5 freeway.

Nice, short hike to the water. Interesting view of the now decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant. There’s also trains (commuter &amp; freight) that come by every couple of hours. Didn’t bother me, but if you’re sensitive to noise...maybe?

Geography wise it is so interesting how the mountains run right up to the ocean! Too bad the mountain area is military (Camp Pendleton), it would be a great hike!

Beautiful Ocean, Noisy Freeway 

The beach is about a quarter mile away from each campsite and whether one uses an RV or tent, there’s not much else to do here then take the trail to the beach. They have restrooms and fire pits and picnic tables and they sell firewood. But all of the campsites are laid out like a parking lot with no real ambience around. Very nearby there is a railroad track and freeway which provides a distraction from a little bit nature nearby. ￼￼

Acceptable RV camping for surfers

We have stayed at San Onofre State Beach a couple times. The campground is on the bluffs, and nearby Old Man's beach has some of the best beginner's surfing waves in Southern California. The day use area gets crowded quickly during the summer, so be sure to arrive early. If you don't want to camp on the bluffs, consider heading a bit inland to San Mateo Campground, which connects to the beach via a 1 1/2 mile nature trail. It's a bit of a walk if you are carrying a lot of gear, but much quieter and more spacious.

Great place for surfers!

I stayed here three weeks in February. I stayed up top and site 91 was great! I would stay here again and request that site. 

Cons:
- Noise from I-5 and helicopter sorties. Occasional bombing exercises also.
- Top bathrooms under construction since January but I wasn’t notified until I got there (provided ports-potties and hand washing station were stocked and cleaned regularly).
- No dogs allowed on beach. 30 min drive to Dog Beach in Solana.
- Lower bathrooms. These were the only showers available. The bathrooms are well stocked but the showers were not cleaned regularly. The same clump of hair was in the same shower for three weeks. Four out of six showers have no hooks to hang clothes. Shower caddies are all rusted. Surfers bring their boards in a rinse them off in the showers. The showers/bathrooms are gross. This was by far my biggest complaint. Regular cleaning, a few extra hooks, and new shower caddies would go along way.

Pros:
- Beautiful views and lots of beach at low tide.
- Very quiet during the week (weekends are very busy).
- Close to a small exchange, commissary, and gas station.
- Nice fire pits
- Cheap laundry facilities 
- Close to San Clemente and San Diego is only an hour away.

Beautiful  views - would stay again

Great location with views of the ocean.  Sites were a little unlevel. No sewer hookups on the upper level. Bathrooms look newly remodeled and very clean.

Beautiful views

We’ve been going here for years. On MCAS Camp Pendleton. Palmtree Lane is our favorite spot but Surfer’s Paradise is great too especially during low tide. BEWARE OF THE SKUNKS AT NIGHT!!!

Safe and sound…..and the SKUNKS

This camp is on the base so it’s safe and clean.  

Photos of San Onofre Recreation Beach and Camping

Real photos from real campers