San Onofre Recreation Beach

R.D. left this review using the Directory software: - Great view. Price is way too high for a military base. Numerous pot holes. Some RV space are narrow. Great view.

The review ratings lump Cleanliness and hospitality into one category, and they aren't even similar. Cleanliness: the bathrooms are unheated, essentially open-air, and really, REALLY need some help. Just go in, do your thing, don't think about it, and get out. Hospitality: these people love living in Southern California, and it shows. I was very happy with the staff. Location: the entire coast from (Long Beach) Seal Beach to San Diego is a very enjoyable train ride (or drive) from San Clemente. San Clemente is only about a three-mile drive. The campground would benefit from a small camp store, but the commissary and exchange and Firestone and gas are but a mile up the road. I really, REALLY would like to see MWR put out the $$ for wifi. Everyone uses wifi for everything these days and to NOT have it is ....well...stifling. The first two times we were there, a man and wife team delivered firewood (fire rings provided, every site), $20 per "unit". In June 2012, they had no supplier, and deliveries were not available. The train goes by at the east side of the campground about 2,000 times per day, but you rarely hear it. Bottom line: we go back every chance we get, to escape the heat of Palm Springs. We stay right on the beach (or we won't go); there is NO sewer hook-up on the beach-front sites. Not a problem; they come by on Thursdays and pump you out, and you don't even have to be there - $10.00. We really like this place!

Just left there a few days ago. The previous reviewer is absolutely correct about all their comments. We were there for 2 weeks & were lucky enough not to have to move, but several of our neighbors did. The couple next door had to move 3 spots over, but no one ever occupied the spot they moved from while they were there. The views are beautiful, but the beach itself is nothing to brag about. There are tons of rocks- if you want to go in the water bring some kind of shoes that can get wet. The road from the base is closed & you have to go thru the State Park entrance, It only takes about 10 minutes to get to the Basilone Rd gate at the base. There is a small commissary & exchange there. The main gate is about half an hour from there & it has a huge commissary & new exchange. Take the freeway. The roads on the campground are a disgrace. There are so many potholes & if it rains or there is a really bad tide, they stayed filled with water for a week. We didn't use the restrooms, but did use the laundry. It's $1 for a wash or dry. It was clean & there are 3 of each. The people in the office were very nice every time I stopped in there. The sites with the palm trees are definitely not level, most people had the front of their RVs on blocks. They are also quite narrow, so if you have a big rig with slides, you'll have to put the picnic table at the back of the site. I'm not sure about the ones at the north end, didn't really look at the leveling. They were also narrow tho. The previous reviewer was right, the grounds definitely need some attention. We were on the East Coast last year, stayed at plenty of military beach locations & this is by far the most expensive military site we have stayed on. Yes this has a nice view, but so did they & I really can't see any reason why this would be so much.

Being right on the beach is a huge plus. The employees are friendly but the reservation system and policies are ridiculous. I can guarantee that ANYTIME you call for reservations, you will be on hold for 10 to 45 minutes & don't try to reserve a site even 1 day before your alloted lead time. Check in is at 1 pm for camping, 3 pm for the "cottages". DO NOT try to check in even 5 minutes early even if your site is empty. Of course, you won't know if it is empty as they'll not tell you what site you are in until you check in. If you have to move from one site to another during your stay, you may not be able to find out where you will be moving & have to check out at noon but not be able to move into the next site- even if empty- til 1. This has happened to us numerous times. Once we moved 1 whole space & that space had been empty the entire time we were there so we could have been in that one to begin with & not had to move. We have been coming here for 6 years, & my parents came her over 30 years ago. There has been very little maintenance or updating in the last 30 years. In the last 6 years, they have put a nice childs' play area on the beach and on one the bluff. They have not done any road repair & the roads are in horrendous shape. The blacktop sites are very old, unlevel, have large holes & cracks. There used to be gravel between the hardtop sites, now there is mostly weeds. It is obvious that they have not done any weed abatement or cutting this year. The weeds are full of foxtails which is not good for the dogs. There is no grassy area for dogs or kids & dogs aren't allowed on the beach. There is a large dirt/weed field that is called a ballfield. Dogs are not allowed on the field but on summer weekends, it is filled with tents. We've never seen anyone actually play ball on it. Note that they say they have 23 camper/tent spaces & some overflow. What is not mentioned is that they have a couple group camping areas plus the ball field which are often rented to non military groups and add at least 100 additional tents on busy weekends. A couple years ago there were some extremely high tides & much of the beach was washed out at the north end of the campground. The large shade covers on the beach were all removed & have not been replaced. The main road was washed out at that time & has been closed off & on since (it's closed now) so there is no direct access to the base. Of course, the rates continue to increase with no improvement in the facilities. With the exception of the beach location, this place is an embarrassment to the Marine Corps.

THE ROAD IS FIXED AND YOU NO LONGER HAVE TO ENTER THROUGH THE SAN ONOFRE STATE PARK ENTRANCE!! California beach camping doesn't get any better than this if you like the beach at your doorstep. It's hard for me and my family to go any place else because it just doesn't compare. If you want a beach front site where you're literally on the beach or if you would rather be back off the beach a little, you have the choice (beach sites go fast). The bluff sites on top have spectacular views of the ocean as well. For as crowded as the facility gets because of its popularity, it's clean. I would rather tell everyone this is a horrible place to camp so it wouldn't be so hard to get in but I just can't. For peak times, you really do have to be right on it if you want a spot. It fills up fast in the summer and on holiday weekends. It's close to EVERYTHING if you want to make a day trip someplace in So. Cal. Commissary is right up the street and so is the exchange and the gas station. It's also close to freeway entrance to the 5 freeway. This is seriously the best military camping spot around if you love the beach. My only complaint is this- The reservation policy is ridiculous at times and very hard to get if you don't call the day you're allowed according to your military status. I hate that you're allowed to sponsor up to 3 spots. I feel this allows too many non-military folks to utilize the park which leaves no space available for the people it was designed for - MILITARY PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES. I would say 75% of the people in the park camping are not military and are there as a guest. So 2 out of 3 campsites are non military guest most of the time. I am guilty of using the sites for friends as well because you become everyone's best friend once they know you have access to such a great place to camp but we are always on site with them. I don't think they police this policy to make sure the host is actually there with the guest they check in. I would definitely support a change if they did decide to change this policy and allow 1 guest versus 2 like most other military camping facilities still do. This would free up the spots and make the awful task of getting a spot here a little easier. Also, a word to the folks who camp in tents and for those who throw up extra tents on their sites along with your RV. There is a 10 dollar per night fee for each additional tent. I think that is high. So if you have 5 tents on your site, the first one is the main tent and the other 4 you have to pay 10 bucks each for. That's an additional 40 buck per night for your site!!! Most people are not aware of that especially if you have all tents on your site. So, there you have it. I still love this place and go back every chance I get. Love it.

Great location, great beach. The reservation policy for Camp Pendleton beaches is ridiculous. Other than that, staying here is better than staying at Del Mar.

We loved it being from Arizona. The cost could have been lower being a military facility but being compared to the civilian it was the same as Good Sam. I would like to have warned about the open air showers lol. I survived. I paid to much for the washing machine no sign live and learn. Other than that sitting and watching God's nature at its finest was the best 2 weeks ever. The Warners, Tuscon AZ

Above directions are incorrect due to road problems. You do get off the freeway at Basilone Rd but turn WEST (toward the ocean) & follow the blue & white signs to the beach & RV Park. They raised the rates AGAIN!!! Last year there were 2 rates, one for military, one for guests. The military rate is gone, we all get to pay the guest rate. Isn't that special. The main road to the Beach Club is washed out. Part of the beach washed out last year. Most of the beach pavilions were removed last year due to beach problems. They could have been moved but they were just Removed. On the positive side, they have "sort of" filled some potholes that have been around for over 5 years & they have put a sun shade on the beach children's playground and repaired the upper playground. As for the rest of the facilities, there has been only minimal maintenance in over 5 years. Weeds, burs & foxtails abound- great for the dogs. It really isn't very dog friendly as dogs are allowed on your campsite & the road only. There is a weed field called a ball field (in over 5 yrs have yet to see a ball of any kind on the field) but dogs aren't allowed. They are also not allowed on the beach. We do come here because of the ocean & because it is close for a quick trip. If the Air Force Bases north of LA were closer, we'd go there as they are nicer & much cheaper.

A challenge to find due to the main access wash out due to heavy rains. Once in the campground hospitality was very good and had no problem getting to our site. Old section, full hookups, across a road from the beach. The area was quiet except for the freeway noise in the background and train traffic behind the campsites. Other areas in the site would have been quieter but not with the full hookups. Well maintained and convenient to base facilities. we'll do it again.

The location is gorgeous! Just can't beat the views. The cottages themselves have seen better days and could use a little sprucing. VERY COLD!!! Had to really bundle up to stay warm inside the cottage. The stringent cleaning requirements for the condition of the cottages compared to the nightly costs is a little off in my humble opinion. The front desk staff especially the after hours park host was phenomenal. Extremely kind gentleman! Will stay there again just because the hospitality was outstanding. I work in customer service and this gentlemen exceeded my expectations!! Overall rating is high for a short relaxing stay on the beach!

Im a SSG retired and I do not know who to contact about Del mar RV park and San Onofre RV park and soon Coronado RV Park CA. First I am by no means rich and not Bill Gates, but you must be to use those RV parks $50.00 dollars a night and $350.00 a week is way out of line for retired and active duty military it is for military personnel to use not civilians that are rich. This was a benefit but not no more. The rv parks do not have a hot tub, swimming pool on site no cable, and no hot showers that are inside with a roof. So why compare it to the high dollar ones. We drove there the 2ND week of Jan and left, it is way out of sight on pricing. That is probably why it was empty. What happened to support our troops, it is now screw our troops. PLEASE BOYCOTT THESE RV PARKS! THANK YOU SSG Richard Kinney

W.C. left this review using the Directory software: Cannot top, but agree with all positive reviews.

Oct 2010 for 2.5 weeks... We stayed in the "Old section"-- really cannot tell it is old per se.. sites well kept, FH here and 50 feet from beach...wonderful watching the surf (and surfers- over 90 surfers today) 1,5 miles from Basilone Gate, where PX, (MCX) Commissary, gas, and propane easily available...(gas station is big rig friendly). Showers are clean, beach style, open roof but private --. The staff are very good and helpful for extending our stay, choosing sites and showing us maps, local stuff. etc.. Views are great, sites are level, most being asphalt separated by a "bush root" system of privacy and boundary markers by your bush. Contrary to the other review, the I5 and amtrack (Coaster) noise is minimal. Beach noise was non-existent even though some crowds were there...surf noise was louder (but made for great harmonic sleeping!) We also checked out the other two Pendleton CG's..Del Mar was wonderful if you got the front row..Lake O'Niel we found kinda depressing as it was very cramped and not well organized as the beach CG's are. Also..Del Mar is raising rates to $50 a night from current $35 and the girls at San Onofre said they would be soon as well...I wrote the IG and would encourage all to do it..the location is very nice but the facilities are not worth $50 a night in our opinion...especially if you want to stay 30 days..$1500 is a little pricey compared to others...(Actually we found $35 a little steep for 20 nights).... Rich and Stefanie NB..Basilone is the only station that sells pumped propane on Pendleton.. others do have small bottle exchange.. We stayed in a 32 foot travel trailer with cabana set up out front for the beach view and cabana #2 in the rear for the firepit and picnic table...It rained like heck for 2 days and was very nice change for San Diego...being from Illinois we called in an heavy mist...unusual for SoCal.. As an alternate to the CG showers, Area 52, which is about 5 miles down Basilone Road from the CG, is a top-notch fitness center (Bld 520415, Basilone and San Juan Roads) with a tremendous modern gym with all the free weights and machines you could work in..plus a clean and spiffy steam room....we worked out just about every day and it
was inspiring to be among the soldiers of today pumping iron and counting their 50 pushups to my 20! LOL The Del Mar fitness center is comparable.

Were just there & was very disappointed. We stayed on the bluff, our favorite location due to the view. The restrooms up top had NO HOT WATER for the ENTIRE 3 week stay. The bluff sites have no sewer so the restroom facilities really are needed unless you want to fold up & go dump. The dump is close, it's just the hassle of folding, lowering, etc. The "ball field" used to look like one, now it is just a giant dirt field- but still no dogs allowed on the "ball field". The employees are friendly but the overall management leaves a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, the overall maintenance seems to be going downhill since they raised the price. They have some really stupid rules such as refusing to tell you what space you are going to before 1300 on the day you are arriving or moving to another location in the park. They have rules & there is no bending for any reason. We've been here many times as it is convenient for us. It is really beyond comprehension why they can't tell you where you will be moving if you are going to another site- even if the place is half empty. What is really funny is having to move 1 spot because they booked the spot you are in for a couple days so you may be in space 38 (example) for a week, move to 39 because someone was booked in 38 for the weekend when space 39 was empty except when you were there. Why could they not have put you in 39 to begin with - or put the person there for the weekend in space 39. Lets use a little common sense here.

This was our 1st stay here. Location: Right at the beach and near (less than 2 miles) from Basilone Gate PX facility (PX/Commissary, gas, etc.). Clean/Hosp: Camp and beach well kept, sites clean, mowed, trash free. Rest room/shower facilities are typical beach style, open roofed and of course sandy with the one on the top of the bluff being a bit cleaner. The staff is great. Amen/Fac: Lots of options and site types. Many mobile home style cabins including some set up for wheelchair accessibility and one 3 bdrm. Most RV sites required minimal leveling and almost all are asphalt. The South bluff sites are designed for backing in, so for motorized RV's, need longer connections or have to step out of unit onto the grass, but they have a beautiful view. Area has a rec field and small playground and there are numerous area/base bike trails and surfing spots. NOTE: Although this is a military facility, local surfers have access to the beach to surf and usually walk through the camps lower road. Value: Given the beachfront and southern California location, overall a very good value. We enjoyed our stay and think this is the best of the 3 Camp Pendleton parks. NOTE: The beachfront sites tended to be a bit noisy (people noise) at night and the bluff sites have road noise (I-5) and AMTRAK/commuter train noise.