Description

San Mateo Campground is only a short distance inland from San Onofre’s sandy beaches. Since the San Mateo Creek flows past the campground in the east, the campground itself is situated in a wetland-like habitat. There are 157 campsites at this campground, each with access to fire pits, picnic tables, restrooms and hot showers. The campsites have an 8 person maximum occupancy but truly can’t be beat in terms of great beach access. We aren’t the only ones who think that, however, so make sure if you’re booking here to book early – especially for summer months.
Campsite area
Tent or RV sites
309 sites
Up to 8 guests per site
Up to 6 vehicles
No wheelchair access
Essentials
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Pets allowed
Amenities
Potable water available
Picnic table available

Activities

Offered near the campground.

Biking

San Onofre State Beach is a great place for road bikers and mountain bikers to get their fix of two-wheeled action. Most of the...Read more

Surfing

San Onofre is home to some seriously classic California surfing spots . The state beach has three different spots, making it ...Read more

Swimming

Old Man’s at San Onofre State Beach is a great, relatively calm place to head for a swim. Old Man’s is a clean, sandy beach ma...Read more

Wildlife watching

Between Eucalyptus trees and brush-covered slope, this state beach is teeming with wildlife. The Eucalyptus trees are home to m...Read more

Terrain

Natural features you'll find at San Mateo Campground.

Beach
River, stream, or...
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48 Reviews

750
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Drop some San Mateo Campground knowledge on us.
Hipcamper Heather
Heather D.
didn't provide a recommendation.
December 17th, 2022

I have camped here twice. While I enjoy the layout and grounds, there seems to be no patrolling of campground or consideration of other campers. As I am writing this there is a large party, many people, very loud music and karaoke on one side of me and competing loud music and occasional karaoke on the other side. It is anything but peaceful, more like a frat party. That being said, the bathrooms are clean, grounds well-maintained and a nice trail to the beach.

Hipcamper Amy
Amy G.
doesn't recommend this listing.
April 28th, 2019

This isn't a great place for solo campers or families. The campgrounds are close and there were at least three big parties being thrown with far more than 8 people in a campsite. The family next to me packed up and went home a day early.

That said, the flowers along the nature trail to the beach are quite pretty in late April and the bathroom facilities were clean.

Hipcamper Christine Lee
Christine Lee S.
recommends this listing.
May 27th, 2018

Had a great experience camping here with friends overall. It was a bit louder than other places we've been, but the tent sites were fairly private, and the walkable shoreline access was a huge plus! Would camp here again.

Hipcamper Belinda Bj
Belinda Bj Y.
didn't provide a recommendation.
October 12th, 2017

I decided t solo camp here and it was a great pick. The camp sites are private and spacious. I reserved a spot but it was taken when I arrived. That was fine because I drove round and round the perfect spot. It was nice to have a hot shower every night. I walked the trails to the beach and watched the surfers then headed back to camp and enjoyed a camp fire. I am looking forward to my next solo camping trip.

Hipcamper Michael
Michael C.
didn't provide a recommendation.
May 31st, 2017

Awesome campsite with a nature trail hike-able to the beach. Yelling distance to camp neighbors, but still private among the bushes & trees. Close proximity to LA and SD, making this a super beneficial weekend get-a-way.

Hipcamper john
John M.
recommends this listing.
May 31st, 2017

1 mile from beach.

Hipcamper Rick Kelli
Rick Kelli D.
didn't provide a recommendation.
April 19th, 2017

Love this camp site. You can stay in camp or go city style. Sometimes you can watch the activities at the marine base. There is a great dog beach near by , just south of Old Man's surf spot. Also a great place for a last minute trip, lots of grocery shopping spots in town.

Hipcamper Rheanne
Rheanne G.
didn't provide a recommendation.
June 9th, 2015

The showers run on tokens, you can use the machine to exchange single dollar bills for tokens only. Machine does not accept higher denominations!

Hipcamper Greg L.
recommends this listing.
October 2nd, 2018
Hipcamper Dominique H.
recommends this listing.
October 22nd, 2018
Hipcamper Jean S.
recommends this listing.
January 22nd, 2019
Hipcamper Amanda L.
recommends this listing.
September 13th, 2018
Hipcamper Morgan M.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
September 25th, 2018
Hipcamper Rebecca H.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
October 22nd, 2018
Hipcamper Alana D.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
November 1st, 2018
Hipcamper Eden H.
recommends this listing.
January 22nd, 2019
Hipcamper Abigail  R.
recommends this listing.
February 11th, 2019
Hipcamper Tom D.
recommends this listing.
July 6th, 2018
Hipcamper Mc Kenna L.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
June 26th, 2018
Hipcamper Kat D.
recommends this listing.
June 21st, 2018
Hipcamper Megan D.
recommends this listing.
May 30th, 2018
Hipcamper Meryl A.
recommends this listing.
April 28th, 2018
Hipcamper John D.
recommends this listing.
April 26th, 2018
Hipcamper Lorena G.
recommends this listing.
April 20th, 2018
Hipcamper Emelia N.
recommends this listing.
April 19th, 2018
Hipcamper Mary C.
recommends this listing.
April 15th, 2018
Hipcamper Ashley F.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
April 11th, 2018
Hipcamper John N.
recommends this listing.
April 5th, 2018
Hipcamper Christoph E.
recommends this listing.
April 4th, 2018
Hipcamper Anjanae C.
recommends this listing.
February 15th, 2018
Hipcamper Matthew S.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
January 17th, 2018
Hipcamper Matt F.
doesn't recommend this listing.
December 7th, 2017
Hipcamper Deleted H.
recommends this listing.
November 24th, 2017
Hipcamper Belinda Bj Y.
recommends this listing.
October 12th, 2017
Hipcamper Molly M.
recommends this listing.
September 19th, 2017
Hipcamper Chelsea D.
recommends this listing.
August 7th, 2017
Hipcamper Matt C.
recommends this listing.
July 30th, 2017
Hipcamper Pat R.
recommends this listing.
June 4th, 2017
Hipcamper Michael C.
recommends this listing.
May 31st, 2017
Hipcamper Sourannha C.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
May 23rd, 2017
Hipcamper Eric S.
recommends this listing.
May 21st, 2017
Hipcamper Susan E.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
May 9th, 2017
Hipcamper Rick Kelli D.
recommends this listing.
April 19th, 2017
Hipcamper Kristi R.
recommends this listing.
March 28th, 2017
Hipcamper Melissa M.
recommends this listing.
March 23rd, 2017
Hipcamper Patty H.
recommends this listing.
March 20th, 2017
Hipcamper Maria M.
recommends this listing.
February 23rd, 2017
Hipcamper Tina O.
recommends this listing.
January 31st, 2017
Park
San Onofre State Beach
State
California
Country
United States
Phone Number
(949) 492-4872
Directions
View on Google Maps
Official Website
View Website
Coordinates
33.406° N, 117.584° W
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Tent / RV / Trailer: 193 Sites
(Up to 8 people per site)