The Best San Onofre Camping
San Onofre State Beach offers the perfect getaway for beachgoers, nature lovers, and watersports enthusiasts–especially surfers! Furthermore, wildlife is plentiful and there are many wonderful spots for swimming and sunbathing.
What You Should Know About Camping In San Onofre
Most campgrounds in this area accommodate both tents and RVs and most supply hookups. Whatever level of accommodations you and your travel companions require, there is a perfect place to camp near San Onofre State Beach. Wherever you choose to go, you will have access to some of the area's most incredible beaches and surf spots.
Choose San Mateo Campground for its more secluded, inland location nearby wildlife habitats and Tresles Beach. Choose the Bluffs Campground for epic views of San Onofre beach and short walking trails down to the ocean. Or, check out some other options outside the park for different amenities. Here is our list of the best San Onofre State Beach camping!
Best San Onofre Camping
San Onofre San Mateo Campground
San Mateo Campground has 157 sites and is open year-round. The campground offers water and electric hookups at sites 1-67. Vault toilets, hot showers, drinking water, and a dump station are available. Sites have picnic tables and fire pits.
What’s Unique About San Mateo Campground?
This campground is located inland, with a 1.5 mile trail leading to the famous Tresles Beach and the 3.5 miles of sandy shore at San Onofre State Beach. Campers at this campground will enjoy increased privacy and seclusion relative to the Bluffs Campground. This campground is located along key riparian and wetland habitats on the San Mateo Creek, creating great opportunities for wildlife watching.
San Mateo Campground Details
Price Range: $45 Types of Camping: Tent, RV/Trailer up to 25’ Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes
San Onofre Bluffs Campground
San Onofre Bluffs Campground has 175 sites and is open from May 15 through the end of September. No hookups are available at this campground. San Onofre Bluffs Campground is located oceanside, with multiple quarter-mile trails leading from the bluff down to the beach. Cold showers, vault toilets, a dump station, and drinking water are available. Sites have picnic tables and fire pits.
What’s Unique About Bluffs Campground?
A portion of the sites in this campground has ocean views. The other campground in San Onofre is inland, so Bluffs Campground is your best choice if being close to the ocean is your priority!
Bluffs Campground Details
Price Range: $45 Types of Camping: Tent, RV up to 25’ Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes
San Onofre Group Campsites
Group camping is available at both the Bluffs Campground and San Mateo Campground. The group sites are located within the campgrounds and have access to all the same amenities as the rest of the sites.
What’s Unique About the Group Campsites?
Other campsites limit occupancy to 8 campers, whereas the group campsite accommodates large groups.
Group Campsites Details
Price Range: $250 Types of Camping: Tent, RV/Trailer Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes
More Campgrounds & RV Parks Near San Onofre
San Onofre Beach Campground at MCCS Camp Pendleton
Camp Pendleton offers active and retired military and their sponsored guests private camping at San Onofre Beach. Sites with water, water, and electric, and full hookups are available. Cottages with 1-3 bedrooms are also available to rent. An RV dump station, restrooms, playground, ballfield, and vending machines are available.
What’s Unique About Camp Pendleton?
This campground offers private accommodations for military members and sponsored guests and family members. The campground is adjacent to the famous Tresles Beach surf spot.
Camp Pendleton Campground Details
Price Range: $51-$61 for campsites; $100-$225 for cottages Types of Camping: RV/Trailer, tent, cottage rental Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, leashed and in the campground; fees and breed restrictions apply
Doheny State Beach
In addition to an assortment of other tent and RV sites, Doheny SB Campground offers 33 oceanside campsites for those who wish to camp just a few steps from this well-loved beach. There are no hookups available in Doheny State Beach Campground.
However, campers do have access to fresh water and an on-site dump station, and generators are allowed between 10:00 pm and 8:00 am. Doheny State Beach Campground allows RVs and trailers up to 30 feet in length. Fire rings, hot showers, and group camping are available. There is also a large, grassy day use area.
What’s Unique About Doheny State Beach Campground?
Doheny SB is California’s first state beach and encompasses over 62 square acres. This is one of the area’s most popular beaches for surfing, surf fishing, and beachcombing. There is also an aquarium on site in the visitor center.
Doheny State Beach Campground Details
Price Range: $10-$60 Types of Camping: RV/Trailer, tent, hike/bike Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, leashed and in the campground
San Clemente State Beach
Half of this 160-site campground provides full hook-ups for RVs up to 35 feet, and the other half accommodates tents or small RVs and does not provide hookups. Hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets are available, as is public WiFi. Fires are allowed in designated fire pits. Leashed dogs are allowed in the campground but not on the beach or trails.
What’s Unique About San Clemente State Beach Campground?
Located at one of the most picturesque beaches in California, this campground provides stunning views from atop sandstone bluffs, a diverse array of plant and animal life, and fabulous conditions for swimming, surfing, and fishing.
San Clemente State Beach Campground Details
Price Range: $40-$65 Types of Camping: Tent, RV/Trailer, Walk-in/Bike-in Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, leashed and in campground only
Paradise by the Sea RV Resort
This campground offers a resort-style pool and hot tub, laundry, wifi, and HD cable. Campers may select their site from a variety of options based on their equipment type and hookup preferences. Access to Buccaneer Beach is a quick walk away on the Loma Alta Creek Nature Trail.
What’s Unique About Paradise by the Sea RV Resort?
This RV resort is adjacent to Buccaneer Park and it is easy to walk from the resort to Buccaneer Beach.
Paradise by the Sea RV Resort Details
Price Range: Variable based on site selection and dates of reservation; weekly and monthly rates are available Types of Camping: RV/Trailer, pull through, back in, full hookups (up to 50 amp electrical), tent Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes
Free Camping Near San Onofre
Free camping is hard to come by on the California coast, particularly in Southern California. Oceanside does have big box stores, such as Walmart, that often allow overnight parking. Those looking to camp for free are encouraged to consider visiting inland locations such as Anza Borrego State Park (which offers free camping at the Yaqui Wash Primitive Campground) or Corte Madera Mountain. There is also overnight parking at a rest stop 5 miles north of Oceanside on Highway 5.
With plenty of camping options, an adventure at San Onofre State Beach is easy to plan. Get ready to make memories that will last you and your loved ones a lifetime!
Common San Onofre Camping Questions
Here is a quick overview of some frequently asked questions about camping at San Onofre State Beach.
How much does it cost to camp at San Onofre State Beach?
Campsites cost $45.00 plus reservation fees.
How long is the walk from San Mateo campground to the beach?
The walk is approximately ¼ mile down any of the six paths leading from the blufftop campground to the beach.
Do you have to pay for parking at San Onofre Beach?
Day use parking costs $15.00.
How do you make reservations at San Onofre Beach?
Make a reservation by visiting reservecalifornia.com or by calling 1-800-444-7275.
About the Author
Josh Shogren
Josh Shogren is the owner of Power Camper. He is a lifelong camper and loves finding the hidden gem campgrounds and camping sites!
