Directions to San Onofre State Beach

Map of San Onofre, CA

San Onofre State Beach is located just off Interstate 5 approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, CA.

Exit Freeway I-5 at Basilone Rd (San Onofre State Park).

Turn southwest (toward the ocean) and go approx. 3 miles on the access road, until you come to the park entrance kiosk in the middle of the road. (This is AFTER the nuclear power station).

Pay entrance fee for day use or overnight camping.

Go approx. 3 more miles inside the park (15 MPH) until you have passed all the numbered camping spaces (last space is #176).

Park in the day use parking lot in a marked space.

Trail 6 starts behind the last toilet facility. Follow the trail down to the beach and turn south (left). You will see lifeguard tower #6 at the bottom of the trail. DO NOT GO NUDE NEAR THE TOWER. Clothed visitors have to be able to approach the lifeguards without being near nude sunbathers.

Continue south (ocean on your right, bluffs on your left) for about 300 yards. The clothing optional section starts at a small wash about 300 yards south of the last lifeguard station (#6).

Beginning at the wash there is about 1000 feet of clothing optional area. After that you come to a broken down fence near the cliffs, where Camp Pendleton starts. Even though many people cross that line, you are taking a chance, and could be cited for trespassing on military property.

Day parking is very limited and on good weekend days in summer the parking lot is full by 9:30 a.m. Around 2 p.m. a lot of the surfers leave and spaces open up again. If you park in any other section of the campground, you have a long walk. DO NOT PARK IN NUMBERED CAMPING SPACES OR ALL THE WAY SOUTH, where there are no marked parking spaces.

Warning: Fines for speeding or parking violations are high!