San Onofre State Beach – Surfing Beach (Old Man’s)
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About San Onofre State Beach – Surfing Beach (Old Man’s) in San Clemente, California
San Onofre Surfing Beach (the official state park name) is located between the city of San Clemente and Camp Pendleton in North San Diego County. It’s one of the top surf beaches in the area with a long break and easy access. The beach itself is mostly rocks at the water’s edge, so while it’s good for sunbathing in the sandy parts, it’s not ideal for walking or wading in the surf.
Access to this public beach is via the Old Pacific Highway from San Clemente. Surfing Beach, which has nicknames like “San O” and “Old Man’s”, is next to the decommissioned SONGS nuclear plant, which you can’t miss from the freeway (looks like it should be wearing a bikini over it).
With a name like Surfing Beach you can bet that this beach has a consistent break that draws surfers from around the region. It is considered one of the top surf breaks for beginners in Southern California.
Volleyball courts and fire rings are provided next to the long linear parking area that spans the full length of the beach. Six restroom buildings are spaced out along this parking area.
Surf Beach is for day-use only (park hours are 6am-10pm from 4/15 thru 9/31 and 6am-8pm from 10/1 thru 4/14). The Bluffs Beach area of San Onofre State Beach south of here offers a tent and RV campground, many trails, and six numbered beaches that you must hike down the bluff to reach.
- Address
- Old Pacific Highway & Beach Club Rd
San Clemente, CA 92672 - Phone
- 949-492-4872
- Park Name
- San Onofre State Beach
- Other Names
- San O, Old Mans, Surf Beach, Dogpatch, The Point
- Owner
- State Park
- Pet Details
- No dogs allowed on the beach
- Fees
- Fees for parking
- Activities
- Surfing, Sunbathing, Volleyball, Fishing, Bonfires
- Amenities
- Restrooms, Fire Pits, Volleyball Courts, Lifeguards
Nearby Beaches
Camp Pendleton - San Onofre Beach
0.5 miles away
San Onofre Recreational Beach is located on federal property in Camp Pendleton. It is only for military personnel and their...
Trestles Beach
1.4 miles away
Trestles Beach is the northernmost part of San Onofre State Beach and of San Diego County, but access is...
Cyprus Cove – Cyprus Shore Beach
2.2 miles away
The private communities of Cyprus Cove and Cyprus Shore share a beach that is actually the southernmost beach in...
Nearby Attractions
Nearby Lodging
San Clemente Surf Inn
2.1 miles away
Close to the beach, the freeway and pubic transportation, the cozy San Clemente Surf Inn supplies a convenient location,...
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Reviews
San O is closed until they fix the washout on the beach road which happened this weekend.