San Onofre State Beach in San Clemente sits right where Orange County‘s coastline gets serious about waves. The campground sprawls across bluffs overlooking multiple surf breaks—everything from the iconic Surfside to Ol’ Man’s—so you’ll see surfers paddling out at all hours. If your dog isn’t bothered by the action, it’s a pretty dynamic place to park the RV or pitch a tent.

The actual camping experience here is straightforward. You get sites with ocean views, and depending on where you land, you might be steps from the sand or a short walk down. The bluff access means your dog can get to the beach without having to navigate through the campground itself, which is nice for everyone. The sand is wide enough that even during busy summer weekends, you can find space to throw a ball or let your dog splash in the shallows.

Beyond the beach time, there are some decent trails running along the bluffs where you can explore without heading back to the car. The coastal scrub vegetation isn’t thrilling, but the views are solid, and it’s a good way to burn off energy before heading back to your site. Swimming is possible in calmer spots, though this is definitely a surfer’s beach first—the water can be choppy depending on the swell.

One thing worth knowing: this is a state beach, so it stays fairly busy May through September. If you’re going then, book ahead. The campground fills up, especially on weekends. Winter is quieter and the weather is still reasonable for most of Southern California. Bring something to protect your dog from the sun if you’re planning extended beach days, since the bluffs offer limited natural shade once you’re down on the sand.