Military Park San Onofre Rec Beach (MCB Camp Pendleton)

Matthew Medina

Access- at the San Onofre Gate, military ID required. Google maps has you exit and go to the state park beach access which is wrong. When you enter down on the beach go up the hill either way and hit the check in office. Sites- closer to the entry have wider spots and fire pits. Down closer to the bathroom side the sites are tighter and no fire pits. Bathrooms- are well taken care of, single bathrooms on the corners and coded door for the full public shower, Restrooms, which are open air. Laundry is on an app, and is about $3 per wash and $3 for dry. Campsites- are outdated, some electric hook ups are old and dont work well while sone are newer. The RV pad is old asphalt and cracked, the ground is undeveloped and caked in dirt. Surfers- walk around the fence on the south side of the beach to access the waves north side, never any issues from anyone but its something to note. MPs and Lifeguards- are always around making sure everything is OK. Commissary and PX- are very close that makes it very convenient for groceries and necessities. Gas and Firestone are right there too. Overall, great views, convenient location, no issues at all, place needs an update especially with prices there should be something there to show for it.

Evan Olson

We stayed at The Point campsite in a tent. First of all the staff were very friendly- our review is not commenting on that. The campsite quality was not commensurate with the cost. We paid for 2 nights at $130. The campsite quality was horrendous, it looks like no effort was taken to make it nice in years. Stickers and weeds everywhere to the point we had to do our own landscaping to pitch a tent. The campsite location is a few yards away from train tracks- which can be a romantic sound- but not when it’s 20 yards from your tent. We were also too far away from the beach for the waves to cover the sound of I-5, we might as well have been camping on the shoulder of the highway. Also- nothing can be done I imagine about it but it’s worth mentioning: what’s the point of a military campground if random people can get access to the space? The beach and campground is filled with civilians who wander through and the surf is crowded from them- so another “what’s the point?” If it was $20 a night I would understand but not at this price point. Would not recommend.

Jay Lindstrom

Park Review 1. Park Quality - I give the park a grade of fair for a number of reasons. First off, the entire park is open to anyone with base access, meaning, people (mainly surfers) can come and drive though/park wherever they want. I understand that there are day use areas and the beach is public but if I’m paying (and a high daily rate for a military park) I should have some sort of “exclusivity”. Showers, bathrooms and laundry were the worst I’d experienced. Anyone that comes to surf or otherwise hang out, has access. (seems that everyone knows the codes to access the showers) The laundry was always open and most machines were broken. (signs claiming they would be replaced in Nov 25 but someone said the signs were there a long time and doubted replacement) Chances are I would not return to this park. 2. Sites - I stayed at two different sites, #41 which was in the lower area directly across from the beach. Most of these sites are narrow and back up to a hill that is infested with ground squirrels. I say this because it drove my dog nuts and I could keep my shades open. The office was very accommodating after about a week and let me move to sites #103. This is on the cliff overlooking the ocean and was a much better option for my dog's sanity. Most of these sites are much deeper and wider and felt more private. Also, it is away from the main access road, so much quieter. I would stay at these sites again if I were to return. 3. Location - Just down I-5 from San Juan Capistrano which gives you lots of options for restaurants, walking trails, and shopping. (Amazon locker is very close for shipping) 4. Noise - The ocean is loud and masks almost all noise on the lower sites. The upper sites will experience train noise, as freight and passenger trains run just outside the park to the east. Only once was I jarred awake by the trains. (it does often feel like a low level earthquake) 5. Cell Service - Verizon was two bars of 5G 6. Wifi - Park WiFi does exist but you’ll need to rent a box from the office. My T-Mobile 5G Gateway and it was 70 Mbps down and 43 Mbps up. 7. Rates - $79 a day plus $3 a day for a dog 8. Access - Of course you need to be a qualified person to make a reservation and utilize the park. Follow the directions in the confirmation email as Google will lead you on a boondoggle. 9. Dog Friendliness - The walkability is great for dog but as mentioned, if your dog chases things you can expect it to be a constant battle while walking the park. Wrapping it up. If I were to return, as mentioned I would stay up on the upper level.

Bryan Symons

Peaceful getaway. This military famcamp is right on the ocean with lots of surfing opportunities. They still have some tent sites available even after losing the ocean-front row of tent sites to erosion. They have two large bathroom/laundry facilities and can support a large event such as weddings. MCX/Commissary/Gas station w/propane are all close by. San Clemente pier is very close by car or bike.

alwaysbelieve

Security Alert Some guard gates ask for civilian real ID, others do not. SAN Onofre state beach has free, easy, no ID required, access onto Camp Pendleton, with anything you wish to carry, or do whatever they want. Please be alert for children at the campground, housing, anywhere , as anyone can come over from the state beach and do anything they want. On another note, the campground is a beautiful location, front desk isn’t very accommodating