San Onofre Beach Camp Pendleton

San Onofre Beach at Camp Pendleton is an incredible place to relax and enjoy the ocean. The beach is clean peaceful and perfect for a day of sun surf and family time. The camping area is well maintained and makes it easy to stay right by the water. The atmosphere is calm and welcoming which makes every visit feel like a getaway. It is one of the best spots on base to unwind and enjoy nature. I highly recommend this beach to anyone with access.

Park Review 1. Park Quality - I give the park a grade of fair for a number of reasons. First off, the entire park is open to anyone with base access, meaning, people (mainly surfers) can come and drive though/park wherever they want. I understand that there are day use areas and the beach is public but if I’m paying (and a high daily rate for a military park) I should have some sort of “exclusivity”. Showers, bathrooms and laundry were the worst I’d experienced. Anyone that comes to surf or otherwise hang out, has access. (seems that everyone knows the codes to access the showers) The laundry was always open and most machines were broken. (signs claiming they would be replaced in Nov 25 but someone said the signs were there a long time and doubted replacement) Chances are I would not return to this park. 2. Sites - I stayed at two different sites, #41 which was in the lower area directly across from the beach. Most of these sites are narrow and back up to a hill that is infested with ground squirrels. I say this because it drove my dog nuts and I could keep my shades open. The office was very accommodating after about a week and let me move to sites #103. This is on the cliff overlooking the ocean and was a much better option for my dog's sanity. Most of these sites are much deeper and wider and felt more private. Also, it is away from the main access road, so much quieter. I would stay at these sites again if I were to return. 3. Location - Just down I-5 from San Juan Capistrano which gives you lots of options for restaurants, walking trails, and shopping. (Amazon locker is very close for shipping) 4. Noise - The ocean is loud and masks almost all noise on the lower sites. The upper sites will experience train noise, as freight and passenger trains run just outside the park to the east. Only once was I jarred awake by the trains. (it does often feel like a low level earthquake) 5. Cell Service - Verizon was two bars of 5G 6. Wifi - Park WiFi does exist but you’ll need to rent a box from the office. My T-Mobile 5G Gateway and it was 70 Mbps down and 43 Mbps up. 7. Rates - $79 a day plus $3 a day for a dog 8. Access - Of course you need to be a qualified person to make a reservation and utilize the park. Follow the directions in the confirmation email as Google will lead you on a boondoggle. 9. Dog Friendliness - The walkability is great for dog but as mentioned, if your dog chases things you can expect it to be a constant battle while walking the park. Wrapping it up. If I were to return, as mentioned I would stay up on the upper level.

Security Alert Some guard gates ask for civilian real ID, others do not. SAN Onofre state beach has free, easy, no ID required, access onto Camp Pendleton, with anything you wish to carry, or do whatever they want. Please be alert for children at the campground, housing, anywhere , as anyone can come over from the state beach and do anything they want. On another note, the campground is a beautiful location, front desk isn’t very accommodating

This was a great experience! We stayed in cottage 4. We were worried that it is a rocky beach but they cleared a good portion and added soft sand. The cottage itself is sitting in the perfect spot to view the entire beach. With that, it is a very short 10-30 second walk to the beach itself. Some things to take note but not let it deter you. No a/c in the cottage and you must open the screen door and window in the bedroom. I suggest to bring some extra fans to help air flow. I also suggest to bring an air mattress. There is only one roll away bed on the entire site that can be rented for $22 a day. There is also train nearby but it isn’t bad. Well at 2am it does get really loud and long. I don’t know why it changes around that time. There is a playground and laundry just down the road. The reservation team was very professional and the front desk people were very helpful, even during our tsunami. If you have been viewing this spot, just go for the booking! This was great! San Clemente is nearby and that is a fun spot as well.

Paid $100 to sleep in the dirt for a so nights and enjoyed every second! Bring earplugs, the train can be loud at 1:00 am.