“On the border of San Diego & Orange Counties, San Onofre State Beach is our northernmost stretch of sand. Home to Surf Beach & ‘Trestles’, you’ll find it looking much the same as it did during the 50′s, palapas and all! Timeless. Just like me.” Sandbag C. Gull
Trestles is just north of the San Onofre State Park & Campground, and narrowly avoided destruction as the area was designated to have toll-way run through it. After much local effort, the day was saved and this much beloved stretch of beach remains untouched for future generations to enjoy.
Just north of Marine Corps Base – Camp Pendleton, the San Onofre Bluffs State Campground, also called ‘Trails’, lies along the Old Highway 101 adjacent to I-5. Camping is allowed only on the paved campground roads, and privacy is limited. Six defined trails lead campers and day-trippers down through the natural bluff-scape to the quiet and secluded beach below. Camp sites 1-34 are very noisy, subject to freeway & train sounds, as well as round-the-clock noise from the nearby truck check point.
Until recently, nude beach bathing was the way of things at the southernmost end of the beach (near the Power Plant). Now it is banned (but not rigorously enforced)…
San Onofre State Beach Slideshow
San Onofre Surf Park
Logistics
- Lifeguard services → if any ← varies by season, day, hours, even weather!
- Restroom & shower facilities are located throughout the Surf Park
- Several established volleyball courts are along beach
- Numerous thatched huts or “umbrellas” offer shade
- BBQs, picnic tables & fire rings are available, first come basis
- Both the Surf Park & the State Campground have admittance fees
- Dogs are allowed on leash at the Surf Park, but not on the beach itself
- Dogs are allowed in the Campground on leash, and on Trails 1 & 6 only
- RV waste dumps available in Bluff Trails Campground
- From the Ranger Station, the campground road continues 3 1/2 miles south through the camping area.
- Rogue bicyclists and hikers can been seen on the blocked off road at the southernmost end of the campground. This road is also reached by Las Pulgas Road and is on Camp Pendleton base property!
- Camps sites 1 through 34 are very close to the Truck Inspection Station, and are particularly noisy
- Potential nudity at southernmost end of beach heading towards power plant.
Directions
Take Interstate 5 to Basilone Road and head west. Head south on Old Highway 101 & follow signs to San Onofre Surf Beach. Trails Campground is further south on Old 101, beyond the Edison Power Plant.
