San Mateo Group Site

Open — Open year-round. The campground entrance is locked daily from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Reservations available through ReserveCalifornia.

About

San Mateo Campground is part of San Onofre State Beach, located on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Clemente, California. Established in 1971, this year-round campground offers over 150 campsites positioned a short distance inland from 3.5 miles of sandy Pacific coastline. The campground serves as a gateway to world-class surfing, with a 1.5-mile nature trail connecting to Trestles Beach, one of the most renowned surf breaks in the United States. The campground accommodates both tent campers and RVs, with hookup sites available featuring electricity and water connections. All campsites include a fire pit and picnic table. Modern amenities include hot coin-operated indoor showers, flush toilets, and an RV sanitation station. The campground is situated near San Mateo Creek, which flows eastward toward the ocean, creating important riparian and wetland habitats that support rare and endangered species. San Onofre State Beach is one of California's most popular coastal destinations, attracting nearly 2.5 million visitors annually. The area has been a surfing destination since at least the 1940s and continues to draw surfers, swimmers, kayakers, birders, and nature enthusiasts. Whales, dolphins, and sea lions can often be spotted offshore. The site holds deep cultural significance as the location of Panhe, an ancient sacred village of the Acjachemen people dating back over 8,000 years.

Directions

From Interstate 5, take Exit Cristianitos in San Clemente. The campground is located 1 mile inland from I-5 at 830 Cristianitos Road, San Clemente, CA 92672.

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