san onofre - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Amish Ed · 10-10-2012, 09:58 PM

The military is strict on the decal only parking. Go to San Onofre State Beach (not the campground part) and launch all the way at the end (it's called Dog Patch).

DanaPT · 10-11-2012, 04:26 AM

I figured I'd try the surf spot called "old mans". I believe its the state park w/ access to the north of the domes. I figured to roll into that lot, drive as far south in the lot as I can, park on the dirt. Dump a kayak on the sand and well try not to lose anything.

Surf is generally small . A lot of long-boarders and regulars.

I've never surf launched a kayak there but used to walk north and surf the break/section called "churches" which is in front of the military base for parking and camping.

PM me if anyone is interested. I think I'd like to go with someone for the first time. Safety FIRST!

mrJB · 10-11-2012, 06:27 AM

San Onofre is a VERY strange place...

Be aware of the surf there. There are two breaks to get through, and it is best accomplished by angling out towards the south from "Old Man's". The shore break can be a bitch, breaking right on shore with a "thump" over a rock bottom and lots of loose seaweed.

Access is through the State Park, stay on the dirt road going south after you pay your $15. Go to the end of the road and park, you will then be about 1/4 mile or so north of the "domes" at "Old Man's". The dirt road parking is about 30' from the water's edge at high tide.

When the power plant is in operation, there are water intake and outlet pipes about 3/4 mile offshore from the "domes". This is a good place to try to make bait. Somethimes a bit unnerving though, to see a whirlpool (intake pipe) in the middle of the ocean.

Lots of Great White sightings at San O; talk to the local SUP people.

All in all, IMHO not worth it if the swells are >2'.

(Manny, if you need more info, PM me...)

GregAndrew · 10-11-2012, 07:29 AM

MrJB has it about covered. There can be as many as 5 or more breaks because there is a shallow water reef just off the beach. As he said, just outside the shore break you should paddle/peddle at about a 45 degree angle to the shore to the left. There is a small sand channel there (midway between the facility and the end of the parking lot) that will only break with the larger swells. More often than not, there is little surf to deal with on this end of the beach. However, I would not recommend attempting a launch at low tide with surf more than 2 feet (because of the reef). I would bring some kind of bait, cause finding it there can be difficult.

rossman · 10-11-2012, 08:46 AM

As mrJB said, it is a strange place indeed. Seems that when you have all of the surf breaks figured out, a big swell hits and changes the bottom contours, and you have to sit on shore and study where the surf is breaking. The sand channel that Greg mentioned has been pretty consistent through the years, but there can be some real sneaker sets that can bust you up in that area too. Just tie everything down when you come back in.

It certainly can be worth the hassle though

Kahouna · 10-11-2012, 03:29 PM

Just a quick heads up LoPro, the rain may have Beach Club closed. If you two hook up and go, you can sponser him down there, just meet him at the gate.

I found a good launch point on base is where the rocks end. Tide can determine the difficulty, but it's very doable.

Jfish36 · 10-12-2012, 06:03 PM

I surf there every weekend I been checking out the spot to lunch my kayak I think we can do it. I'm game to try with couple people. There a lot of people kayak surfing in the area

10-10-2012, 09:58 PM	#1
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	The military is strict on the decal only parking. Go to San Onofre State Beach (not the campground part) and launch all the way at the end (it's called Dog Patch). __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

10-11-2012, 06:27 AM	#3
mrJB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: O.C. Posts: 352	San Onofre is a VERY strange place... Be aware of the surf there. There are two breaks to get through, and it is best accomplished by angling out towards the south from "Old Man's". The shore break can be a bitch, breaking right on shore with a "thump" over a rock bottom and lots of loose seaweed. Access is through the State Park, stay on the dirt road going south after you pay your $15. Go to the end of the road and park, you will then be about 1/4 mile or so north of the "domes" at "Old Man's". The dirt road parking is about 30' from the water's edge at high tide. When the power plant is in operation, there are water intake and outlet pipes about 3/4 mile offshore from the "domes". This is a good place to try to make bait. Somethimes a bit unnerving though, to see a whirlpool (intake pipe) in the middle of the ocean. Lots of Great White sightings at San O; talk to the local SUP people. All in all, IMHO not worth it if the swells are >2'. (Manny, if you need more info, PM me...) __________________ "I Brake for Halibut"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-11-2012, 04:26 AM	#2
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	I figured I'd try the surf spot called "old mans". I believe its the state park w/ access to the north of the domes. I figured to roll into that lot, drive as far south in the lot as I can, park on the dirt. Dump a kayak on the sand and well try not to lose anything. Surf is generally small . A lot of long-boarders and regulars. I've never surf launched a kayak there but used to walk north and surf the break/section called "churches" which is in front of the military base for parking and camping. PM me if anyone is interested. I think I'd like to go with someone for the first time. Safety FIRST!

10-11-2012, 07:29 AM	#4
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	MrJB has it about covered. There can be as many as 5 or more breaks because there is a shallow water reef just off the beach. As he said, just outside the shore break you should paddle/peddle at about a 45 degree angle to the shore to the left. There is a small sand channel there (midway between the facility and the end of the parking lot) that will only break with the larger swells. More often than not, there is little surf to deal with on this end of the beach. However, I would not recommend attempting a launch at low tide with surf more than 2 feet (because of the reef). I would bring some kind of bait, cause finding it there can be difficult.

10-11-2012, 03:29 PM	#6
Kahouna Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 108	Just a quick heads up LoPro, the rain may have Beach Club closed. If you two hook up and go, you can sponser him down there, just meet him at the gate. I found a good launch point on base is where the rocks end. Tide can determine the difficulty, but it's very doable.

10-12-2012, 06:03 PM	#7
Jfish36 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 37	I surf there every weekend I been checking out the spot to lunch my kayak I think we can do it. I'm game to try with couple people. There a lot of people kayak surfing in the area