Surfer watching at Trestles Beach at San Onofre State Beach

Share this itinerary

Link copied!

http://www.bewilder.club/experiences/san-onofre-state-beach-trestles-beach

Last updated

July 31, 2024

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Friends and new campers

Vibe · Relaxing and chill

Reservations · Yes, reserve a site at San Mateo Campground

Drive · 1.5 hours from LA

Ideal dates · July to October

Pets · Welcome at camp and down by trails 1 and 6

San Onofre State Beach (SOSB) is one of the top five most visited state parks in CA and rightly so. It has 5.5 miles of coastline, which makes it a camper's playground and a surfer's dream. Trestles Beach within SOSB is considered the best year-round surf break in America! For campers, there are six numbered trails (1 to 6) that takes you below towering sandstone bluffs down to the rocky beach. Use the restroom before you hike down and settle in for awesome surfer-watching and ocean views.

Official State Park Website

Directions To Campground

Main image credit: California State Parks Foundation

Prep Itinerary Gear Food

Stuff to know

The beaches and trails are rocky so wear closed-toe shoes while hiking at SOSB
April to May is wildflower season!
Pups are welcome at camp and only on trails 1 and 6
If you're only visiting for the day, there's a $15 parking fee
Stow away and secure your belongings overnight!

Resources

Check the weather

Where to camp

San Mateo Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

Picnic table
Fire ring and grill
Space for up to 8 people
Three parking spots
Trash collection (on site)
Restrooms and showers (on site)

San Mateo Campground is a 20-minute walk to the rugged coastline of San Onofre State Beach, but it offers plenty of modern amenities for RV and tent campers alike. The campground has hot, coin-operated showers, restrooms, and RV hookup sites with electricity and water. Some campers suggest bringing ear plugs because you might hear the hum of the highway, but the campground's convenient location to the beach makes it hard to beat.

Check-in: After 2 PM · Check-out: 12 PM

View San Mateo Campground Map‍

Nightly Rate: $40

Reserve your campsite

No items found.

Itinerary

Day One

Drive to San Onofre State Beach

It’s about a 1.5 hour drive to the campground, be sure you leave early enough to beat weekend traffic
Enjoy some brunch on the water at Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar, they have ample breakfast options and are kid-friendly. Located at 611 Avenida Victoria in San Clemente and open from 8AM to 9PM.
Nearest grocery store is Ralph’s at 903 S El Camino Real in San Clemente
Last pit stop is Shell at 2400 S El Camino Real in San Clement

Check into the campground and get setup

Find your site, get set up, and wander the campsite.

Trek around the San Onofre Canyon

This moderate 2.8 mile loop takes you around the canyon with fantastic views of the beach and mountains.
Make sure you pack plenty of water (at least 2L per person), snacks, sunscreen, and sun protection for everyone in the group.

Return to camp

Spend the rest of the night stargazing and enjoying family time

San Onofre is considered the "Crucible of Modern Surfing" and is home to the most popular surfing beach in the United States, "Surf Beach". "Trestles Beach" is considered the best year-round surf break in the country.

Day Two

‍

Cook up brekkie and get ready for a beach day

Make a quick and easy breakfast for the whole family
Get ready for a day at the beach, be sure to pack towels, sun shades, sun protection, snacks, and drinks.
Pack a lunch too, or eat out.

Head to Trestles Beach for the day

You can walk or drive, it’s about a 1.5 trip one way to the beach
Once at the beach, set up and enjoy your day
Enjoy lunch, the view, and relax.

Optional trek to the Bluffs or Wetlands

In the afternoon, feel free to keep relaxing or go explore.
The nearby Bluffs Beach trail is an easy 3.3 mile loop that will take you through sand bluffs and along the ocean.
Or, you can explore and search for critters in the Trestles Wetlands, nearby the beach

Head back to camp, clean up, and prep dinner

Chill and recuperate from the day
Enjoy dinner and games at camp
Spend the rest of the evening relaxing, and unwinding

San Onofre has a rich history that predates European activity in the area. Eight thousand years ago, the Acjachemen people used the village of Panhe as a sacred ceremonial, cultural, and burial site. Surfers have visited San Onofre since at least the 1940s, and the beach was memorialized in the Beach Boys' 1960s hit song, "Surfin USA".