7 Shocking Secrets And Must-Know Updates For San Onofre State Beach In 2025

San Onofre State Beach, a legendary 3,000-acre coastal sanctuary straddling Orange and San Diego Counties, remains a cornerstone of Southern California’s surf culture and outdoor recreation, but its status in late 2025 is more complex than ever. This iconic stretch of coastline, home to world-class surf breaks like Trestles and the beginner-friendly Old Man's, is currently operating with some facility restrictions and is at the center of critical environmental and political developments that every visitor should know about.

The latest updates confirm a renewed 25-year access agreement, securing its future as a state park, while simultaneously highlighting the ongoing, high-stakes controversy surrounding the nuclear waste stored on its grounds. From crucial camping reservation changes to vital conservation efforts like the Trestles Beach & Habitat Cleanup series launched in January 2025, here are the seven most important, up-to-date facts and secrets about San Onofre State Beach you need to know before your next visit.

The Three Pillars of San Onofre: Trestles, Old Man's, and Trails

San Onofre State Beach is not a single entity; it is a collection of three distinct recreational areas, each offering a unique experience for surfers, campers, and beachgoers. Understanding the differences between these "pillars" is essential for planning your trip and maximizing your time at the park.

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1. Trestles: The World-Class Wave and Recent Conservation Focus

Trestles, located at the northern end of the park, is internationally recognized as one of the best surf breaks in the United States and is a magnet for professional surfers. It is a high-performance wave, often divided into Lower Trestles and Upper Trestles, known for its steep, fast, and consistent breaks. Access to Trestles requires a moderate walk or bike ride from the parking area, preserving its natural, rugged feel.

In a significant recent update, the Surfrider Foundation, in partnership with California State Parks and the San Onofre Parks Foundation, launched the Trestles Beach & Habitat Cleanup series in January 2025, underscoring a concentrated effort to combat coastal erosion and preserve the surrounding fragile ecosystem.

2. San Onofre Surf Beach (Old Man's and The Point)

Just south of Trestles is the famed San Onofre Surf Beach, affectionately known as "Old Man's." This area is the cultural heart of San Onofre, famous for its mellow, slow-rolling waves that are perfect for longboarding, paddleboarding, and beginner surfers. The beach here is divided into three main surf breaks: "The Point," "Old Man's," and "Dogpatch," all of which offer a more accessible and family-friendly experience compared to Trestles.

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The atmosphere at Old Man's is legendary, characterized by a nostalgic, vintage surf vibe. It's a place where multi-generational families gather, and beginners can learn the ropes without the intimidation of a high-performance break. The area also facilitates surf-fishing and offers safe, clean facilities for day-use visitors.

3. San Onofre Bluffs and Trails: Camping and Hiking Updates

The third major section includes the San Onofre Bluffs Campground and the Trails section. The Bluffs offer 175 campsites situated atop the coastal bluffs with spectacular ocean views, providing direct beach access via a series of six dirt trails that lead down to the water.

The Trails area is the southernmost portion of the park, offering a more exposed beach break that provides reasonably consistent surf, especially during the summer months. This section is also popular with hikers, with trails like the San Onofre State Beach Trail 6 to Trail 5 Loop providing scenic coastal exercise.

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The High-Stakes Nuclear Controversy: 3.6 Million Pounds of Radioactive Waste

The most pressing and controversial issue facing San Onofre State Beach is the presence of the shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), which sits adjacent to the state park. Despite closing its generation capabilities in 2013, the facility still stores approximately 3.6 million pounds of highly radioactive spent nuclear fuel.

This massive amount of nuclear waste is currently stored in dry cask storage on-site, perilously close to the Pacific Ocean and within an active earthquake and tsunami zone. The decommissioning of SONGS, overseen by Southern California Edison, has been fraught with controversy and public concern. Lawmakers, environmental groups like the Samuel Lawrence Foundation, and local residents are continually calling for federal action to relocate the waste to a safer, permanent storage facility, stressing that the site is, for the foreseeable future, a nuclear waste dump.

For visitors, this presents a stark juxtaposition: enjoying a world-class surf break like Trestles while being acutely aware of the radioactive material stored just a short distance away. This ongoing threat of an environmental disaster due to coastal erosion or a seismic event remains a primary focus for conservationists and political activists in 2025.

Crucial 2025 Camping and Access Updates

Navigating camping and access at San Onofre requires up-to-date knowledge, as rules and availability change frequently. Here are the latest details for late 2025:

• 25-Year Access Secured: A major victory was the recent agreement between the Department of the Navy, the United States Marine Corps (since the park is on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton), and California State Parks to extend the park's operating agreement for 25 years. This renewal, secured just before the prior agreement lapsed, ensures the public's continued access to this vital coastal resource.
• San Mateo Campground Reservations: Camping at the inland San Mateo Campground is available and highly sought after. Reservations can typically be made up to six months in advance of the arrival date through the ReserveCalifornia system.
• Bluffs Campground Availability: The Bluff Sites, which offer stunning ocean views, are also available for reservation, though they may close seasonally. Visitors should check the California State Parks website for the most current operating schedule.
• MCCS Pendleton Changes: The San Onofre Beach Cottages and Campgrounds operated by MCCS Pendleton (for military and authorized guests) have recently shifted their policy to only accept same-day walk-in reservations, a significant change from previous booking methods.
• Vehicle Length Restriction: Be aware that the maximum vehicle length for most campsites at San Onofre State Beach Campground is restricted to 25 feet.

In summary, San Onofre State Beach in late 2025 is a vibrant, yet vulnerable, slice of Southern California paradise. While the renewal of its access agreement is a cause for celebration among surfers and campers, the looming threat of the nuclear waste and the constant battle against coastal erosion mean that its future, though secured for 25 years, requires constant vigilance and conservation effort. Visitors are encouraged to check the California State Parks website for current restrictions and to participate in local cleanup efforts to help preserve this legendary coastline.