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San Onofre State Beach

San Clemente, CA
916-653-6995
Website
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Ranked #4 of 12 attractions in San Clemente
Type: Beaches, State Parks
Activities: Surfing, Walking
Description: Popular with swimmers and surfers, this state park features 3.5 miles of sandy beaches.
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31 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    13
    7
    5
    3
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Date Rating
Mankato, Minnesota
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 of 5 stars Reviewed April 19, 2013

This is a very beautiful area, but it is a state beach so there is a $15 day-use fee. When I visitied I got the impression that this was largely a surfer beach. I pulled into one of the areas where you can drive down to the beach (there are other areas further south where you park and then walk... More

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Laguna Niguel, California
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 16, 2012

Nice people, no attitudes in the water. Little crowded . Get their early in the summer or when there is good waves

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Redlands, California
2 reviews
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 12, 2012

First of all, the train is RIGHT on the beach--so cool. After we couldn't find parking at the city beach, we pulled right into a spot practically on the sand at the state beach. It seemed very private, but they did have a snack bar and bathrooms. This is exactly the beach I will go to next time.

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Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 6, 2012

I loved being here.It was relaxing even though it was busy. Everyone was having fun. The beach was clean and the facilities were good.

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See 3 more reviews by Rene M for San Clemente
Pasadena, California
Top Contributor
71 reviews 71 reviews
17 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 5, 2012

We love going to SanO, AKA old mans. Very special beach where you can park right on the beach. The place has bathrooms and shoers are on the sand between plants and plam trees. there are fire pits and a perfect beach for people that wants to leanr to surf. Be aware on busy weekends and holidays if you dont... More

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See 5 more reviews by Helena M for San Clemente
Laguna Beach
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed August 23, 2012

Wish you had grown up on the beaches of So Cal back in the 50's and 60's? Here is your chance. Grab a beat up station wagon, load up the kids and the boards, and head down to the real deal. Pack some food as sunset here is tough to beat.

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See 2 more reviews by Lagunakahuna for San Clemente
Vancouver, Canada
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed July 27, 2012

San Onofre bluffs are right along the I5 and railway tracks but really it is not hard to sleep if you bring ear plugs even while sleeping in a tent. Think of it as overflow camping for all of southern California and you should get the picture... Employees are great as is the surf nearby.

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See 2 more reviews by Tyler T for San Clemente
Utah
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
90 helpful votes 90 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed July 19, 2012

They had an afternoon waiting line for day people to park... One out, one in... You had to wait in line for someone to leave... Lots of surfers trying to come in the late afternoon.

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San Clemente, California
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed July 14, 2012

Sano as it is called by the locals is a famous surf beach in southern California. It has two campgrounds, one in San Mataeo Canyon and the other on the old Pacific Coast Highway with trails down to the beach, nicknamed "trails" by the locals. You never know who you might see at the surfing beach. It fills up early... More

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See 10 more reviews by travelmom090 for San Clemente
Lake Elsinore, California
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed July 5, 2012

Having stayed at San Mateo Campground previously, and being somewhat unimpressed, my husband and I decided to try San Onofre Bluffs Campground for a last minute weekend getaway. You can view most of this campground driving south on the 5 freeway just past the nuclear power plant. Most sites are directly adjacent to the freeway and also the train tracks.... More

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