Thursday, February 16, 2023

【Hike】San Onofre State Beach - Peace and Quiet Beach Hike with Amazing Views

 

       Last year, my husband and I decided to go to San Onofre State Beach, located between San Clemente (Orange County) and Oceanside (San Diego County) and near the now-closed San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station. We found this trail in the book, 50 Hikes in Orange County, which I purchased to enjoy Orange County hikes. There are two options, the beach hike and the backcountry hike of San Onofre, we could choose from and we decided to try the beach hike this time.



Tips for Walking on the Beach Hike Trails of San Onofre State Beach.
・Apply sunscreen on entire body.
・Wear sunglasses and hat with high UPF.
・Drink water often.
・You can bring your dogs as long as they're kept on a leash.
・It's moderately easy trail.


My San Onofre State Beach Walking Summary (UA MapMyWalk App)

My San Onofre State Beach Walking Summary (UA MapMyWalk App)

       When I go hiking, I use Under Armour MapMyWalk App to track my walk.

My San Onofre State Beach Walking Summary (UA MapMyWalk App)


      Last year, I also started using AllTrails App. It's easy to use and helped me to not get lost. This beach hike trail was pretty simple and easy but was still very helpful to know which trail I was walking. 

My San Onofre State Beach Walking Summary (All Trails App)





Parking

     Parking fee/entrance fee is $15 per vehicle a day. You can pay the fee at the entrance.

Park Hour

Bluffs/Trails  
6 a.m. to Sunset
 
Surf Beach
(4/15 - 9/31)  6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
(10/1 - 4/14)  6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
 
 





Beach Trails

Beach Trail 1

        There are Beach Trail 1 to 6 you can start from. We started walking from the Beach Trail 1 around at 3 p.m. The Beach Trail is leading down to the beach.


Beach Trail 1

The Views from Beach Trail 1

      The views from the Beach Trail 1 were breathtaking.




      We could see the permanently closed nuclear power plant from the trail.

     On your right, you will see a dramatic break in the bluffs.


     You can also see the nuclear power plant from the beach.

 

      We headed toward south and enjoyed walking along the beautiful beach.


      After a while, the beach was quieter and prettier.


       We found the small crab.


 
Lifeguard Tower 6

    We reached to the lifeguard tower 6 and decided to hike up to the Beach Trail 6.


Beach Trail 6

Beach Trail 6
     We hike up the hill on the Beach Trail 6.
Beach Trail 6
      At the top of the bluffs, there is a bench and you can enjoy amazing views of the San Onofre State Beach.



Beach Trail 6


      We headed north and walked along the parking lots and camping sites.




      We were finally back to the Beach Trail 1.


       It was a nearly three-hour walking but was pretty easy hike for us. It was really pleasant exercising. Specifically, I really loved walking along the beautiful quiet beach. It was so peaceful. 

50 Hikes in Orange County

        I thought this book was great and am looking forward to trying more hikes. These are my entries related to hikes we have tried from the book.

1. San Gabriel River to Turtle Overlook (Long Beach/Seal Beach)

2. Dana Point Headlands (Dana Point)

3. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (Huntington Beach)

4. Bayview Trail (Newport Beach)

5. Crystal Cove Tide Pools (Newport Beach)

6. Aliso Peak (Laguna Niguel)

7. Pecten Reef Loop (Aliso Viejo)

8. Bommer Canyon (Irvine)

9. Laurel Loop (Laguna Beach) 

10. Mariposa Trail Loop (Laguna Beach)

11. Little Sycamore Canyon Loop (Laguna Beach)

12. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (Irvine)

13. Wood Canyon Trail (Aliso Viejo)

14. San Onofre State Beach (San Clemente / Oceanside)



      These are my entries you might like.
■Walking Along Shoreline in Long Beach, Los Angeles CA (October 2019)

■Dana Point Headlands - Dana Point, CA (September 2019)

■Green Sea Turtles in San Gabriel River - Seal Beach / Long Beach (August 2019)

■Quail Hill Loop Trail in Irvine, CA (April 2019) 

■La Jolla Cove in San Diego (March 2019) 

■San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine (February 2019)

■Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach (January 2019)

■Swimming with Wild Dolphins (Big Island, Hawaii, January 2015)

■Dolphin Watching in Dana Point (July 2017)

■Our Whale Watching Trip (Dana Point, August 2013)

■San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine (March 2017)

■La Jolla Cove - Beautiful Spring Wildflowers and Wild Animals (2018)


       My entries related to wild animals can be seen here.

       My entries related to Orange County Hikes can be seen here.

       My entries related to sunset can be seen here.

       My entries related to hiking and walking can be seen here.



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