San Clemente State Beach Campground
September 12th– 14th, 2021 (2 nights)
Just an hour drive north from our home in Carlsbad, San Clemente SB Campground sits high on bluffs above the beach. San Clemente is a small beach community (southernmost city in Orange County) which is located roughly halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles (just north of Camp Pendleton Marine Corps training base).
San Clemente State Beach Campground is very popular, especially in the summer months, but we found it quite easy to get reservations during the week (spots usually open up last minute). The campground has full hookup along with dry camping sites. We chose a dry camping site because these sites are more spaced apart (they are also less expensive and easier sites to reserve). At the time we were there, the central Dump station was available for free. However, staying just a couple of nights, we didn’t need it or even need to use our Holy Grail Portable Grey Water Tank Solution! Our site, #122, had shade but also plenty of sunshine for our solar panels to keep our batteries fully charged each day. There are spectacular ocean views from the hard to reserve sites closer to the edge of the bluffs, but also some smaller ocean views even from sites farther back (like our site).
When we drove into the campground, we noticed lots of white chalk type circles on the ground at each site (similar to a marked crime scene). We later found out the purpose of these markings when our Scamp kitchen was invaded by ants the next morning! The ranger told us that the entire campground is basically sitting atop a giant ant hill and they recommend campers purchase diatomaceous earth from the camp host ($10 a bag). The white powder is supposed to be sprinkled around each tire and any other trailer part that touches the ground. They said ants won’t cross the powder lines. We found out the next morning after applying the powder that it doesn’t really work in the short run (as we had ants on the second morning) and witnessed them walking across the powder!
The beach is a short walk down a steep trail. There is a small tunnel that leads under the railroad tracks onto the sand. It’s a nice beach, but when the tide is high there isn’t much sand left between the water and the bluffs. We saw a wave create a water surge that unexpectedly overran one sunbather and her blanket (forcing her to pick up all her belongings and move farther back to the bluff)! We were seated much closer to the bluffs while flying our new kite, but took that as a warning as a time to head back to the campground!
There’s a really nice beach trail, the San Clemente Beach Trail, that runs parallel to the railroad tracks and goes about 2.3 miles from the campground all the way to the San Clemente Pier and beyond. People walk, run, and bicycle on the trail while appreciating gorgeous ocean views along the way. We did it early in the morning and it was very foggy. We walked all the way out to the end of the San Clemente Pier and couldn’t even see land when we looked back! There are a lot of nice restaurants and shops in town. We ended up walking about 6 miles doing a loop from the campground along the San Clemente Beach Trail and then up Avenida Del Mar (past a lot of downtown stores and restaurants) and back via El Camino Real (which runs close to the 5 Freeway).
Another scenic trail is the Sea Summit Trail. This trail is not too close to the campground, so it’s better to drive and park (we parked in a neighborhood adjacent to one of the trail openings, but there is also parking at the San Clemente Outlet Center). The trails here are meticulously maintained and more like groomed walking paths than actual nature trails. The paths are on top of the bluffs and provide stunning views of the ocean (and sunsets). There are stairs that lead down to the beach.
Overall, we had a great time at San Clemente State Beach Campground. The campground itself is very pleasant with the dry camping spots nicely spaced out. There are fantastic views of the ocean and plenty of walking trails to enjoy. Also, being so close to the sea, there are nice breezes that blow through the campground and keep things cool. Be prepared for possible ants and remember that this campground is close to Camp Pendleton so it is common to hear booms from artillery units conducting training (we did hear booms until 10:30 p.m. while at the campground). Spectacular sunsets can be enjoyed from the campground while looking out over the bluffs and watching the sun dip into the sea. So, if you are in need of a little rest and relaxation and like the idea of being near the ocean and getting fresh air, reserve a spot at San Clemente State Beach Campground (just don’t forget to bring along your ant repellant!). Itching to go back!
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