Let me see if I have this right… they built a rock seawall that is destroying this beach to protect a dirt road that is only used by folks who love the beach (surfers)?
Amazing beach for surfing but it’s important to note that Dogs are not allowed anywhere on the sand unless the dogs are south of dogpatch and also same for stand up paddle boarders
Get pretty crowded here early on the weekends.
Lots of places where waves are breaking do even though there is a crowd you can find somewhere to surf!
Day pass is around $15, park and have lunch!
San O is as classic as it gets. The vibes, the surf, cooking out with the community, and just overall hangs are something you should do more than once in your life if you're down for the beach life!
If you want a really good time go there the beach is fantastic it's beautiful my family and I had the best time ever and stay at the campground stay there they give you a pass to the beach you can walk there too they have a trail to the beach and the pass I will go back fantastic time
We came to the San Onofre State Park to do a hike, and we enjoyed the visit. The place is not super crowded, and the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing. It is a little difficult to walk on the beach because it is very rocky, but we still enjoyed the visit to this location.
You too can be only feet away from 200,000 pounds of deadly radioactive spent fuel rods that have be collecting there since the 1960s. It is protected by a six foot tall sea wall and sits on an earthquake fault line. Bring along a radioactivity counter for the kids to play with!
Are you wondering why the parking lot is always full? Not too long ago, you could drive down the dirt road along the coast and park 100+ cars. Now, the road is closed where the pavement ends at the 24 car asphault parking lot. Walking down the depressing old dirt road with rip-rap boulders along the surfside, it saddens me that this is not the SanO I once knew. Great for patient surfers, but sad for people who knew the sandy beaches with bamboo outcroppings that are now long gone due to beach erosion.
This is one of the most beautiful spots for anyone visiting, or even for non-visitors to hangout and have a relaxed day at the beach. There are beautiful rocks and cliffs to see, and many skilled (and beginner) surfers to watch.
We always do a quick pit stop here whenever we come back from Los Angeles trips. Kids had fun exploring and found a lot of sea creatures this time around. We adults just built rock towers. Beautiful views.
The beach was nice, lots of surfers out and about. We were just passing through and just walked around a bit and relaxed.
It would be nice if you could just pay for 3 hrs if you are only planning to be there for a little while.
World famous surfing beach with a long history of churning out waves that peel forever. Drive down and park right at the shoreline, set up your food and blanket, and enjoy a scenic treasure. Get here early, real early, like 6am, to get a spot because a long line develops quickly once the beach reaches capacity. They have showers and restrooms all along the beach and a fire pit here and there. Be careful getting in and out of the water because there are rocks that will roll over your feet when the waves break at the shore. Relax and enjoy one of SoCal's gems.
Beautiful cliffs! Less crowded than public beaches but downside is you have to carry your things with you 500 feet down then up to parking lot. Also rocky beaches so bring appropriate shoes
My new favorite surf & chill spot. Recommend going early in the morning and spending all day here. If you go early you have a better chance at claiming one of the beautiful oases on the beach and skipping out on the long line that begins to form later in the day. Pack a cooler, bring a propane camping grill, & book. It's sometimes chilly and tad windy in the morning, so bring a sweatshirt or light jacket or a wetsuit if you plan to be there early. Once the sun shows its face it's absolutely perfect. You can surf without a wetsuit, take a break when the tide is low, cook up some lunch, read, head back out in the water, then enjoy the sunset. The waves are consistent because it's a rock bottom. And they're spread out so you don't have to wait too long for your turn to catch one. $15 to enter. In the summer you can stay til 10pm. I went in October. During this time, the beach is open till 8pm ?
San O is a great beach to surf or hangout with those who surf. If you’re looking for a beach with a walking path and volleyball, this isn’t it.
Nice long breaks and cool people. Arrive early, bring your board and aloha.
No shade no shade no shade steep hills and no shade. Campsites are very close to each other might as well be camping with strangers. Really close to the highway not very quiet and peaceful unless you take a steep walk down to the beach. I recommend bringing swim shoes for a very Rocky Beach.
World class waves and place of so much surfing history but beach erosion is taking it at a fast pace:/ Also, for the parents reading this: May I ask, please don't let your children pick the bamboo or climb it which is killing it. If you are new here you may not know yet it is a historical part of the beach that has been here for decades. And also provides shade unlike most beaches. Due to the drought it started dying, the drought is over but now children are picking it to use as play weapons. Once it's gone it will be gone forever:(
DO NOT COME HERE if you are looking for a beach. The trail to the beach is very long and very steep (my pregnant wife lost her feet on the way down). The beach has large rocks that hit you as the tide comes in (my ankle was hurt). If you are surfer or a camper it's fine, but not for a casual day at the beach with the kids. Pretty but painful.
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