San Onofre State Beach San Mateo Campground, 8-19-08 San Mateo Campground View from the Ampitheater San Onofre State Beach's San Mateo Campground next to Camp Pendleton, 8-20-08

A few pictures of our surfing and camping trip at San Onofre State Beach August 18th to 20th, 2008.  I took my son and six of his high school friends, we stayed at San Mateo Campground.  The kids surfed Trestles, Old Man's Beach (surf beach) and San Onofre Bluffs beach.  We had to reserve two spots, #122 the first day and then move to #103 the next day because no camp spots were available for more than one day but it was well worth it.  During our stay I also visited San Onofre Bluffs campground and San Clemente State Beach campground--San Mateo Campground is the nicest in the area by far!  Many things to do, including several campground activities, interpretive programs for children and crafts for adults.  I can see why this is the fifth most visited state park in California!  Lots of wildlife in San Mateo Campground.  Although there have been sightings of rattlesnakes and mountain lions recently we didn't see any.  Lots of rabbits, squirrels and many different birds--a perfect place for bird watching.  If you are into California Native Plants many nice specimens can be found here.  The campground road winds and loops through the camp for a long way, very nice to walk or bike ride.  The hike to Trestles Beach although long is very scenic.  On the opposite side of Christianitos Road and San Mateo Campground are a number of San Onofre backcountry trails with great views of the San Mateo Creek watershed and Pacific Ocean views.  Click any picture on this page for an enlarged view.

San Onofre State Beach, Trestles Beach Trestles Beach, Cottons, 8-19-08 The photo above was taken at noon.  The water and the beach is very clean and beautiful.  Take the trail to the beach from San Mateo Campground near the ampitheater to get here.  It's about 1 mile from the campground to Trestles Beach with a few uphills.  Very scenic and worth the walk!

View of the Trail to Trestles Beach The trailhead to Trestles next to the ampitheater, 8-20-08 The photo above was taken from the stairway to the ampitheater.  The trail climbs uphill, along Christianitos Road, under the I5, crosses Old Abandoned Highway 101 and continues through the San Mateo Creek Preserve.  At the end of the trail you pass under the train track bridge and you are at the beach, the Cottons area of Trestles Beach just north of the Lagoon and mouth of San Mateo Creek (shown in picture above left).

San Mateo Campground, view from Ampitheater Looking toward the hills from the ampitheater, 8-20-08 Above pic, looking toward the hills on the other side of Christianitos Road from the ampitheater.  The trail on hill is one of the San Onofre backcountry trails.

San Mateo Campground view from trail to Trestles View from the first uphill near the ampitheater, 8-18-08 The trail to Trestles Beach from San Mateo Campground is also called the San Mateo Nature Trail or according to the trail map (pickup a copy at the campground entrance) is called Panhe Trail named for the ancient Indian village the trail runs through.

View from trail to Trestles Beach Almost at the highest point of the trail looking back toward San Mateo Campground, 8-18-08 Pictured above, the view of San Mateo Campground, San Mateo Creek Watershed and Camp Pendleton Hills.

San Mateo Campground, Camp spot #122 View of the campsite, standing next to San Mateo Creek, 8-18-08

San Mateo Campground, Camp Spot #122 Creek View Looking at San Mateo Creek from our campsite

San Mateo Campground, Camp Spot #103 Looking at our campsite from the road running through San Mateo Campground, 8-19-08

San Mateo Campground, Camp Spot # 103 View from the back of our campsite, 8-19-08

The kids heading for the surf breaks at Trestles My son and a few friends, early morning surfing at Trestles Beach Cottons, 8-19-08

My son enjoying the surf at Trestles Early a.m. surfing at Trestles on 8-19-08

Trestles Beach It's noon on 8-19-08, the sun is finally coming out, the water is clear and beautiful

The kids enjoyed surfing Trestles Beach.  A few surfed Lowers and some stayed at Cottons.  The bottom is rocky at Trestles and has submerged objects in places but this is the best surf around.  Nobody had a problem with stingrays here but two of our group were stung by rays at both Old Man's Beach and Bluffs Beach. 

View near San Mateo Campground Entrance Looking across San Mateo Creek towards the hills of Camp Pendleton, 8-20-08

San Mateo Campground Sunset walk through the campground, 8-19-08

San Mateo Campground Foliage Elderberries are found throughout the campground

Berry bush found throughout San Mateo Campground Closeup of the berry bushes found in most campsites, 8-19-08

In wilderness areas always use caution, potentially dangerous wildlife is always around even if you don't actually see it.  Please visit my Safety Page. For a list of all San Onofre State Beach pages on my site including more campground pictures, beach photos, trail pictures, facts about the area and more click here.  These pages also show how this area looks in spring (the prettiest season) and winter. To reserve a campsite at San Mateo Campground visit the state parks official San Onofre State Beach page or the Reserve America website.