We stayed at the cottages for 3 nights and 4 days and overall it was an amazing experience. One night we did have to evacuate due to a tsunami warning but they were great about it and refunded 50% of that night which we really appreciated. We booked a 1 bedroom cottage and it was perfect for our family of three. It was spacious and clean. The kitchen had everything we needed including a gas stove and oven, microwave, full size fridge, toaster, and plenty of dishes and utensils. The bathroom was large and handicap accessible which was a nice touch. The beach is very clean and there is a playground for kids that is very well kept which was great for our little one. There are mostly RV spots here so the cottages are limited but definitely worth booking if you want more space and comfort. One thing to note is that it can get VERY loud at night due to trains constantly passing through and sometimes military night training in the area which can make quite a bit of noise. Other than that we really didn't have any complaints. We would definitely love to come back and stay here again! read more

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Do not waste your $45.00 !! I have camped in primitive campsites all over the U.S. and could always find something positive to say. Not this time! This place feels like it would be a nightmare after dark for anyone traveling alone! I had zero ocean view, zero shade, picnic tables were old and splintered, and the campsite (if that's what you want to call it) was on hot blacktop. I wasted my $45 because I left way before sunset! Awful campground, maybe the beach is nicer. read more

If you surf here BEWARE !! The Civilian Security Guards who are Surfers, currently Chris and John, are bad news. Avoid them as much as possible. If they don't like you, they will make up fake stuff to tell the Military Police to mess with you and get you kicked off the base. If you are a civilian and have a longboard or just want to park on base they are open to bribes of money or surf swag. They will sponsor you for a guest pass. My friend paid John $350 for one that lasts I think 90 days. read more

Still love coming here, even though the grassy areas are dying . Wish this lace could keep the grass green all year long, makes it more fun for the kids and the dogs. The bathouse is usually clean, and the front desk service reps are pretty nice. I do wish that they would use the historic bar area more,--like adding a beach patio taco restaurant/ bar. THAT would be really cool, and draw more customers and more money. This place has such an untapped potential, I truly hope they expand. read more

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This a a shared area on Camp Pendleton with RV's, campers, and cottages using the Basilone gate off the interstate. The cottages has a kitchen, dedicated parking spot, nice eating area in the back and Adirondack chairs overlooking the beach. This prime location is a short drive to San Clemente. If you're a surfer, then this is the perfect beach. The cottages could use some updates, but you can't beat the view! read more

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Beautiful views of the ocean and sunsets. Great for families. Front office staff Shelby was very informative and friendly. MILITARY BASE FOR VETERANS OR DEPENDANTS read more

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This was a great experience! We stayed in cottage 4. We were worried that it is a rocky beach but they cleared a good portion and added soft sand. The cottage itself is sitting in the perfect spot to view the entire beach. With that, it is a very short 10-30 second walk to the beach itself. Some things to take note but not let it deter you. No a/c in the cottage and you must open the screen door and window in the bedroom. I suggest to bring some extra fans to help air flow. I also suggest to bring an air mattress. There is only one roll away bed on the entire site that can be rented for $22 a day. There is also train nearby but it isn't bad. Well at 2am it does get really loud and long. I don't know why it changes around that time. There is a playground and laundry just down the road. The reservation team was very professional and the front desk people were very helpful, even during our tsunami. If you have been viewing this spot, just go for the booking! This was great! San Clemente is nearby and that is a fun spot as well. read more

It was our first time at this campsite. $79 per night- hookups available. I loved the beach front view, loved hearing the crashing waves all night. Bummer dogs are not allowed on the beach. Waves seem pretty rough here. It was pretty windy- perfect for kites. They have few items for sale at their store that came in handy- we forgot our tongs for BBQing so that came in handy. They have several bathrooms and showers- the showers are not enclosed-they are open to air and the water never got warm. Bathrooms were not as clean as I hoped they would be. Additionally, I'm not sure if they are having a black widow spider outbreak but there were way too many all around the bathroom stalls etc for my comfort, the men noticed the same thing. I didn't sleep too well at this particular RV site because the trains going by were way too loud. Unfortunately, I can't say we will return here again. read more

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Quick tip: on military base, only for veterans or dependents. Quiet small town vibe camp and RV site. Peaceful little world with a few amenities. Clean showers and bathrooms are spread out the area. The store is small so you're better off head up the street to the commissary for food prep. Beach is clean and has lifeguards until sunset. RV areas are even and very spacious. read more

San Onofre Beach Camp Site - Quiet and peaceful RV and tent retreat. - Campgrounds Near Me - Pendelton, California

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Cowardly Security RAN AWAY from me. I'm a girl: Lolol! It was 7:55. Office closes at 8pm. Just needed a bottle of water. Security saw me coming and RAN to lock the door and then ran away from me as I approached the building. What a weenie. He couldn't even look at me and say anything like "oh hey we're closed" or "have a good night." Be aware these people are not interested in you or your stay. read more

Stayed at a 3 bedroom cottage. Had to wait 45 minutes to get our cottage. They said it was not ready at 2:15. My husband was at the cottage #1 and it was cleaned and no one was there. So that was a lie. We were told that there where 3 bedrooms. One queen, one trundle bed, one single bed. Not the case 2 queens and one single.. so had a kid on the couch. Which was completely uncomfortable the cushion sagged into the couch. read more

First of all the staff is amazingly nice and helpful. Downside to this place is the prices go up and nothing seems to be improved on the camp sites, RV or cottages. If you spend most time surfing or at beach that won't really matter then. Cottages have amazing views but they are run down a lot, similar to a bad motel 6. If you bring a pet make sure they are indoors after sunset The swarms of skunks will come out They are not scared of your presence and will walk by you in touching distance . Only giving three starts because the lack of upgrades with price increase I've always had a good time there though read more

***This review is for Cottage 7.*** (1bd) I'm torn between giving an accurate assessment and sounding like an entitled veteran @$$hole. Let's begin with the good, then highlight some downsides and compare to Del Mar.... PROS: -Ample Parking -Respectful fellow patrons -Good for families who want to chill without a party crowd -CLEAN beach -Easy access to the exchange/commissary and the 5 -SUPER reasonable rates (we stayed winter months @ $76/night, no additional fees) What You Can Expect to Be Available: -Towels ARE provided (4 sets) -Basic Serving Utensils -Knifeblock -Basic pots/pans -A Small Cookie Sheet and Cutting board -DISPOSABLE plates and plastic utensils (We went to Wal Mart and got $0.50 reusable plates and $2 metal utensils) -Broom/dustpan -2 Rolls of TP -1 Bar of hand soap, tiny lotion, tiny body wash (enough for 1 person over a 4 day stay) -Dish rack (no dishwasher) CONS: -Although we didn't mind the train (we used to live between Tamarack and C'bad Village Drive and the Amtrak and Coaster blared by our bedroom window, lol), but some people might not like it. Upside: Amtrak doesn't blare horn on this stretch and we are too far North for the Coaster. So, it's not that bad. -The bed is HARD. The couch, HARD. No real soft areas to sit and relax inside the cottage. Best seating is an Andirondack chair overlooking the water, as far as comfort goes. -The bathroom... they clearly build this place without P traps. It smells like Afghanistan. Keep the bathroom door closed, window open, fan and light on. (Light-switch is WAY behind the door and hard to find in the dark when you're half asleep) Compare to Del Mar: Okay, so I must note, I've never stayed IN a cottage at Del Mar. But, I've been there enough to share a comparison. -The beach is far larger and less rocks. -The campers are segregated from the cottages. -Less cramped and more space -Some loud people (my best way to explain this is think of Del Mar cottage areas as E1-5 folks, campers as E7-up; while San O is more the O-types) Would I stay here again? NO. Why? Because I couldn't sleep on the hard bed. Change out the bed and I'll be back in a jiffy. I hope this review helps someone, as I couldn't find a good one before booking and paid the price... sigh. read more

San Onofre Beach Camp Site - View from Cottage 7 - Campgrounds Near Me - Pendelton, California

WATCH OUT! Great view very fun campsite! Stay'd on the bluffs definitely a great camp spot HOWEVER... Watch out for the theft here. We had one of our surfboards stolen from on top of our truck which is where we were sleeping. Lock up your belongings. read more

San Onofre Beach Camp Site - bluffs - Campgrounds Near Me - Pendelton, California

Beautiful location but not the best! Access to the beach is definitely not safe with little kids. Train and traffic noise in the night is terrible!!! read more

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It advertises showers and there are no indoor showers. Outdoor beach showers don't count as showers in a campsite. it also advertises dumping for a recreational vehicle. Do not advertise dumping when you are charging for it. Dumping should come with your $53 campsite. Also, it advertises $45 for camping which is not true because you use a third-party there's no way you can possibly pay $45. read more

Looks like a homeless encampment, everyone is so close to each other, no privacy at all. Campsites are so small only two tents fit. If you want peace and quite at night this is NOT the place. Freeway noise all day and night and train, you will not sleep! Beach access was a journey we had to drive and walk down a long hill, the beach was very rocky. Toilets were clean and they were cleaned every morning, maybe twice a day. You only have beach showers. Won't be coming back here again, it was a one and done deal for me. read more

San Onofre Beach Camp Site - Campsite - Campgrounds Near Me - Pendelton, California

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We go here annually with our friends. The Bathrooms are clean Running Showers are Hot and amazing! Beautiful View of the sunset Good Place to surf Good place to take your dogs Firepits are conveniently located at every campsite with nearby benches you can park your biscuit on extra parking for drop in guests and the Camp is overall Clean I could honestly live here one day if I decide to lose my marbles, leave it all, and become a hobo here and be perfectly content, the only gripe I have about this place is that the beach has big rocks all around the front of the shore on most spots so it doesn't make it very kid friendly, but that's about the only downfall I can think of read more

Campsite is noisy at night with traffic and train nearby. Beach is nice and a little walk down the hill. read more

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Don't spend your money. Its right off the freeway and you hear it and the train... basically a large asphalt parking lot with the ocean somewhere near by. Pick your site with care if you do come... multiple sites stuck behind dirt mounds with absolutely no view. Beach access is a journey. They have started charging to dump now.. for the cost and subpar location, that should at least be included. this is a total thumbs down for me! We won't be staying here again! I would expect more from a State Beach Park. read more

San Onofre Beach Camp Site - This is basically what you get except for the dirt strip behind your spot. - Campgrounds Near Me - Pendelton, California

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Pretty cool spot. Depending on the site you get, some can be a little more private but mostly they're all lined up right next to each other. The train gets pretty loud in the middle of the night, too- so don't expect a great night's sleep. The surf is nice though and so is the staff read more

Called about 6 times around 1500 hrs to make a reservations today October 2, 2019. The lines were not busy but NO one picked up the phone. The phone numbers used: (760) 763-7263 and (760) 763-7873. There is NO link on their website that leads one to an online reservations section as advertised by the website. The beaches must be extremely popular, the reservations folks inundated by calls etc. Joe J, USN Retired Hesperia, CA read more

We were able to stay here when a friend invited us to share their campsite with them. Pros: very affordable, close proximity to the beach (relatively speaking, but does require a longer than normal walk down one of six trails), spreadout with ample room to maneuver RVs into campsites. Great surf beach. Cons: OMG, so loud. Located directly next to I-5 and train tracks. Not enjoyable at all if you are not used to that constant decible from the freeway and trains. Only outdoor showers are provided. Saw more than a few naked people, so careful with bringing the kids here. Little bit of a hike to the beach, which is much more rocky than the beach down by the Pier. I won't be going back, but if in a pinch you want to be close to the beach there is very likely open spots, even in the Summer. read more

The setting is beautiful. We have been coming for the last 12 years. The staff is fantastic. Big thanks to Missy at the Front Desk. She has helped us numerous times with answering our questions for the area service, and whatever else we needed. Tells us about park rule updates. Very customer oriented, always pleasant & greets us like we were just here last week when we check in. Setting is unbeatable. The campsites are minimally maintained, think this is due to money and the fact this in on a USMC Base. The staff also has to deal with the beach / geographic / weather issues & that is bear in the winter. Regards, Stan Caswell read more

Camped there last night with friends and we had fun. We bbq'd, sat around a fire, the guys surfed, we walked down by the water. The camp site was clean, pretty small and close together (you can hear and see everything your neighbors do) and you can park 2 cars per spot. We had four cars and they no longer allow overflow parking so getting that situated and moving the cars was frustrating. The views and the trails were beautiful. I think it's a great "hey let's go camping this weekend" spot that's close to home for us. read more

San Onofre Beach Camp Site - The beautiful view from the top of the cliff's. - Campgrounds Near Me - Pendelton, California

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We stayed in the cabins, but my family stayed in the RV park. The cabins were amazing! It looked recently renovated. Nice kitchen that had cooking supplies provided. The second bedroom had a trundle bed, perfect for the kids. Nice outdoor seating with killer views! My family's site was clean and spacious right across from the beach. Their fire pit was huge! The only complaint is their public restroom closer to the beach is pretty beat up. I noticed new restrooms and showers closer to the main office. Either way, the view was amazing! read more

This was our first time at this campsite. We checked in on June 11th in our 31 foot RV. The girl at the booth didnt seem too happy or friendly. I should have gotten her name the recipt says employee #4700. She says its $40 and gives us a paper with space #57 on it and says that's our site. We drove what seemed like forever till we found #57 and it was a small tent site no way our RV would fit there. So here we go back to the booth. She gets upset and types something in the computer and gives me another paper with a different site number. No sorry or anything. So we drove even further this time and we get there and theres someone already in our spot. 2 trucks and a tent all set up. No one was around for us to say hey this is our spot. So guess what? We had to drive all the way back to the booth once again. The girl says to me I only have one more space available we are fully booked because its summer so if you dont like this one I can give you a refund. Are you kidding me? I didnt say I didnt like it I said someone was already there and by now it's been about 30-45 min wasted of driving back and fourth for her mistakes! We proceeded to the 3rd site and it was empty along with the rest of the row. I dont see how she can say they were fully booked no one ever showed up to any of those spots or a ton more we saw empty. Horrible customer service no sorry for the mistakes nothing. The beach was such a long hike away my Autistic son and French bulldog could not walk anymore we turned back. We will definitely stick to Guajome campground it's cheaper and way more to do not to mention full hook ups! All we heard all night was trains and freeway teaffic. How can anyone actually like this place??!! read more

Stayed 2 nights at the "new" beach cottages on Camp Pendleton Beach Cottages. Be advised the woman at the desk will not check you in even one minute before the check in time of 1500. This was on a cliff above the campers/RVs and across the street from the beach. It was about a quarter of a mile walk from my cottage to the actual beach. The cottages were very well taken care of. Had everything you could need, including a broom for the sand. We were supposed to have basic maid service- exchange of towels and trash removal between 0800-1200, but they never came. Good thing we brought our own towels. No A/C, so depending on the time of year you go, and the weather, it can be very stuffy in the back bedrooms. We brought a small fan to help. Loved the view and the proximity to the beach. There is a HUGE DOWN SIDE, HOWEVER. There is a train track and the I-5 that are immediately behind the cottages, right next to the bedrooms. It is extremely loud. We needed to sleep with the windows open, but got almost no sleep with the non-stop traffic and the round the clock trains passing through. Would love to go again, but would have to think about the trafiic noise first. read more

I like this campsite, I wouldn't say I love it because it's not on the sandy beach but it's a walk, you can't bring your dog but people do anyway... it's a hard 4 lol read more

It appears that some people don't know where they are camping! Several reviews now about the State of CA San Onofre campsite just down the street are being made against the San Onofre campsite on Camp Pendleton, this camp site! Yelp doesn't seem to care on correcting the bogus reviews. For instance, the lady complaining about having to walk for ever to get to the beach isn't for this place, all the campsites are a minute from the beach!!! read more

The San Onofre Recreation Beach Campground at Camp Pendleton is only open to Active, National Guard, Reservists, Retired, 100% DAV, DoD civilians, and their guests. During the summer months, active duty stationed on a Marine Corps installation may reserve 12 weeks in advance. All other active duty and retired may reserve 10 weeks in advance. Reserve and DoD employees and DoD retired may reserve 9 weeks in advance. They have day use, camper sites, cottages (small mobile home trailers) and ten camping. The beach here is nice only because it is not crowded like the San Onofre State Beach Campground to the south and Doheny State Beach Campground to the north. But the beach is plagued with the same rocks that are present at the San Onofre State Campground. Something eerie when you are sitting there listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach and as the waters recede you hear the rumbling of the loose rocks. Those loose rocks are awaiting your toes, feet and ankles as you try to get beyond the surfline. As for the bathrooms and facilities, gross. The bathrooms are generally clogged, particularly on the men's side. I think that they are even worse than the bathrooms in the state campgrounds. read more

You just gotta love it here. We have been several times....but never know what the beach will look like. One time it was beautiful and pristine, six months later it was all rocks and we could hardly walk. Our camper is great.... 1998 Roadtrek, BUT we do have to use the facilities. They are clean and in working order. Prefer this spot over Del Mar Beach in Camp Pendleton--less noise. Firepits, picnic tables and straight up BEACH FRONT. Where else can you get beach front for $35 a night. The only really freaky thing is San Clemente Nuclear Power Plant.....if you walk south you see it, and very creepy. We did like to mingle with the surfers at the San Onofre State Beach.....if you are AD or DOD CIV--highly recommend. read more

I was meaning to review the San Onofre State Beach, but close enough. Great break here. If you enjoy a slow, consistent, easy break then this place is it. Reminds me a lot like Tourmaline. I'm not sure about other peoples encounters, but I find people here are very easy going and welcoming. As long as you're putting out positive vibes, being courteous, and focus on enjoying yourself you'll be good to go. Like all places this place gets zoo'd out with tons of people. Don't let that bother you tho enjoy yourself. read more

We had a great time. The cottages are nice and clean. Yes there is a train track, yes you hear the trains go by and yes there are monster rocks on the shoreline. But we enjoyed our stay very much. There are showers and bathrooms next to the beach and a playground. We brought our own grill but there are charcoal grill available. read more

The surfing looks to be great and full of campers and RV's but the cottages are lack luster and nothing compared to the Del mar beach cabanas. We rented a two bedroom cottage, the extra patio had a dead mosh potted plant, the out door deter was sad and not as was depicted in the photos... The out door bar table is rickety and unpleasant to eat a meal at. The shower keep flooding the bathroom due to the low lip of the handicap accessible ledge and the poor placement of the shower head... Of the two RV's available and the two remotes, only one works. No garbage disposal, no fire pit, no extra club chair for indoor seating, no roll a way beds available, no outside phone line, no housekeeping, no wi-fi.... Again the siding was cool to see, and the coast line very pretty, but families are better off at Del mar cottages... Also the am track line runs into the night... Thank goodness not through the entire night! As for civilian beach accessibility there's no MP's to manage the berm line... We had a party planned here for our second night and called everyone to cancel it... For the same amount of money spent at Del mar cottages this is NOT worth it... We made the best of it and again the beach is great when the tide pulls back... But other than that, if you don't have a campsite, a camper, surfer, biker... Maybe save your money and just visit for the day... read more

If Its noise and stress ya want this is the place, loud music till 0100, no accountability to staff who were probably not even there, place sucks read more

My husband and I enjoyed our visit, this weekend but wanted to complain about the harassment we received during our departure. 20 minutes till 11 my husband was sitting in his wheelchair and was asked if we were leaving or extending because checkout was at 11. I was inside securing everything and getting ready to flush our tanks when I had issues. Usually I have help but due to my husband's surgery leaving him disabled I was in my own. As I was starting to disconnect the hook ups so we could leave both our phones were blown up by Carmen, threatening us with a 250 late checkout fee if we didn't check out. It was 1124 on a monday and I was literally disconnecting so we could leave. We have never experienced such rudeness at any camp facility. I could understand if the park was busy but it was deserted and it was a concrete rv spot. The treatment we received was uncalled for and disrespectful. I am active duty about to deploy and my husband is a disabled vet. If this is how you intend to treat people then we will not return. read more

I have fond memories of this campground as a kid and now frequently camp here with my family. Over the past year, however,we have had some unpleasant experiences, including people walking through our campsite to get to and from San Onofre state beach and Trestles. Civilians aren't even supposed to be walking through the campgrounds and are supposed to stay below the berm on the beach, but they do not enforce those rules. There are no MPs regularly patrolling the area, which to me poses a security risk! I also just learned that about a year ago all the campground hosts were let go, which has also caused major problems in the campground. My husband and son and I were camping there just this week and had to leave around midnight last night because of really rude and loud and belligerent campers in the three spots next to us. This party had at least 30 people who were really loud and partying and drinking . Finally at 10:30 p.m. I asked them to turn the radio down which they did . But then shortly after that they started being really loud again so I called the MPs. The MPs showed up for less than a minute and talked to them and left. As soon as the MPs left the people started hooting and yelling and turning up the radio really loud again. Our dog was so scared that she ran away. Luckily we were able to find her. We called the MPs again who did not show up. So at midnight my husband and son and I had to pack up all our stuff and leave because we could not take it anymore . This type of treatment and behavior is totally unacceptable, especially at a military campground! My husband is a disabled combat veteran and was even a drill instructor and field instructor at Camp Pendleton. I talked to the office manager of the campground this morning and she gave me a full refund for two nights and did talk to the host of the big party next to us . But unfortunately they were not kicked out. I believe they should have been ! This campground is a revenue generator for the base, yet they do not have regular monitoring of their guests. I am totally disappointed and disgusted by this campground now and we will probably not go back . We used to love this campground, and even spent our honeymoon here! This week, our family vacation was cut short because of a large group of disrespectful and loud people who were not even punished for their behavior. And they weren't even military!! (except one person, who is active duty and should be ashamed to call himself a Marine!). They shouldn't even be allowed to stay at the campground again. And although you have to fill out paperwork now for guests at your campground if they are nonmilitary, I highly doubt that all the roughly 30 people next-door to us last night had security clearance. I think the base's commanding general should pay attention to this issue and should take care of his people, including active-duty, veterans, and retired military personnel and their families! Allowing just anyone to camp at the campgrounds and not enforcing the rules is also a major security concern in my opinion . And it's not fair to the military families who were there to have a relaxing and fun time. read more

Overall a solid campsite. We reserved our spot online and when we got there we just told them our name to get in. Its set up parking lot style, so the spots are a little tight. The bathrooms were surprisingly clean. The one bad thing is the long walk to a rocky beach. read more

Facilities and the site itself is good, beach is very rocky which injured our feet. Train every 30 minutes or so, not so good either. I wish we were told about our site assignment and what was right around it when I reserved, I probably would have just looked for another campground. The neighboring campsite were loud, music and yelling until 3am yet there was no base police that regulated them but those base police cars were surely circling around earlier that night, but never bothered to warn them what time is lights out, or maybe there was no time for lights out at all. Check out day comes, Morgan, upon check out did not give me a receipt or even bothered to let me know about my other charges that later that day i found out that i was charged for 2 more extra tents and a canopy. The 2 extra tents were fine, but a canopy that was counted as tent? I don't think so. Maybe it would have helped if the staff counting the tents communicated with us to confirm like the other civilian campgrounds we have been to before. And also, in every civilian establishments, staff always ask if the customer wants their receipts, not the other way around. According to Denise, the staff that I was talking to trying to settle the tent count over the phone upon coming home, stated that "You should have asked for the receipt when you checked out." Thanks, very sympathetic. Overall, Camp Pendleton San Onofre Campground is at the top of our Military's Facilities' Worst Customer Service List. To top off, be prepared to stay on hold for 15-20 minutes before someone picks up the call whether to reserve or just to ask questions or for whatever reason the call may be. read more