Community Forums

Rusty1233 · 09-28-2013, 09:12 AM

Looking for information on camping at San Onofre state beach. We have a 34' class A w/2slides.

What are the best and usable site #'s for our size unit.
Should we camp at the bluffs or San Mateo.
We like to ride our bikes...but not tooo far.
Are the trails to the beach real steep? And how hard is it to get some day gear down and back? (chairs, ice chest etc.)
Any close by store access for ice or little stuff ( walking or riding distance )

Thanks

OCcoaster · 09-28-2013, 12:37 PM

Happy to hear you are thinking about camping in San Clemente - a great spot in south OC (live here!)
We would recommend San Clemente SB if you are interested in biking as you'll have access to to the bike lanes on Presidente/El Camino Real
and the San Clemente Beach Trail (which runs from Calafia Beach parking lot to North Beach). The San Clemente pier bowl (cafés, coffee, drinks on the pier, etc) is right off the trail. The campground is close to El Camino Market (think 7-11) and also a short drive to a Ralph's grocery on El Camino Real. You'll find more shopping off of Pico (east of the freeway) - Lowes, WalMart, Albertsons, etc. San Clemente SB is also to the public golf course and 4 tennis courts. The hookup sites are all pull thru.

I know you actually inquired about the Bluffs campground - been there - it's noisy because of the freeway. It's south of San Clemente and would be a trek to ride a bike to the first store (your ice might melt before you got back)! Plus, the sites are basically parking spots on asphalt.

San Mateo is nice - stayed there twice! It has more trees (shade) and conventional type campsites. There is a beach trail to the surf beach.

Hope this helps!

Rusty1233 · 09-28-2013, 12:55 PM

San Clemente SB is that reserved through reserve america? Also any prefered site #'s.
We live in Torrance so this would be for like a 3day shorty just to get away.

Thanks for the info it is much helpful.

Ali Baba · 09-28-2013, 01:22 PM

I've stayed at San onofre before... It's probably the worst place to camp on the beach. It's a parking lot next to the freeway and you have to hike down to the beach. I would go to a different spot.

OCcoaster · 09-28-2013, 01:27 PM

Yes, San Clemente SB is on reserveamerica and you can look at the spots on campsitephotos.com.
We think some of the best are 31-47 (odds) - but they're all pretty nice! Have fun

chboone · 09-29-2013, 10:17 PM

Of the three San Clemente and San Mateo are the nicest. San Onofre is the worst CG we have ever stayed at, bysides being next to the freeway and train the trails to the beach are steep and the beach is very rocky. At San Mateo most of the sites have bushes between the sites so you have some privacy, it's a over a mile to the beach by the trail. For your first time camping in the area the best choice would be San Clemente. While you're there you can explore the area for future trips.

Chuck