Campsite #76

For Californians, the name **Campsite #76** immediately places you within one of Southern California's most prized outdoor locations: the stunning **San Clemente State Beach Campground**. This isn't just any plot of land; it is a highly coveted reservation situated atop the dramatic coastal bluffs of Orange County, offering campers breathtaking, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and direct access to a mile-long stretch of pristine, sandy beach.

San Clemente State Beach, established in 1937, has been a favorite destination for generations of California residents, acting as the perfect halfway point between the bustling metropolises of Los Angeles and San Diego. Campsite #76, as an individual site within this popular state park, represents a prime opportunity for families, surfers, and outdoor enthusiasts from across the state to secure their own slice of the iconic SoCal coastline. The experience here is quintessential California: wake up to the sound of the ocean, watch dolphins play in the surf, and enjoy the golden-hour sunsets from your blufftop perch.

This campground is designed to accommodate various types of camping, from large recreational vehicles to traditional tent setups. Campsite #76 itself is part of a larger, well-managed system, ensuring that while you enjoy a natural environment, you are never far from essential modern conveniences. Due to the high demand for coastal camping spots in California, securing a site like #76 is often viewed as winning the reservation lottery, particularly during the peak summer months and on weekends.

**Location and Accessibility**

Campsite #76 is officially located within the **San Clemente State Beach Campground**, a prominent feature of the Southern California State Parks system.

• **Specific Address:** San Clemente, CA 92672, USA. The park entrance is conveniently accessible directly off Interstate 5, making the drive straightforward from most major Southern California cities.
• **Coastal Proximity:** The entire campground sits atop a bluff, approximately 150 feet above the beach. Campsite #76 itself is often noted on park maps as being in one of the coveted "dry" camping loops (without hookups), and may be positioned closer to the trails that lead down to the beach.
• **Beach Access:** Campers at Site #76 have access to two well-maintained trails (often paved or staircases) that wind down the steep bluff face, providing direct, albeit steep, access to the beach for surfing, sunbathing, and beachcombing.
• **Local Convenience:** The charming city of San Clemente is just a short 5 to 10-minute drive away, offering campers easy access to grocery stores, local restaurants (especially famous for tacos!), coffee shops, and essential services like laundry facilities and rental equipment.
• **Southern California Hub:** The campground’s location is roughly midway between Los Angeles (approx. 60 miles north) and San Diego (approx. 60 miles south), making it a perfect weekend getaway for millions of California residents looking to escape city life.

**Services Offered**

The amenities at San Clemente State Beach are designed to provide a comfortable and convenient camping experience while still maintaining a natural, state park atmosphere.

• **Basic Site Facilities:** Every campsite, including #76, comes standard with key outdoor living essentials:
  • A picnic table for dining and gathering.
  • A concrete fire ring and/or a grill for safe campfires and cooking.
  • Designated parking on a paved area, typically accommodating up to two vehicles (one driven, one towed) and a maximum of eight people per site.
• **Modern Sanitation and Water:** Convenient and accessible facilities for all campers are provided throughout the park's loops:
  • Restrooms with flush toilets.
  • Hot shower facilities (often token-operated for extended use).
  • Piped, potable water available at various points throughout the camping area.
• **RV Services:** While Campsite #76 may be a standard tent/dry-camp site, the campground as a whole offers an RV section with full hookups (water, electric, sewer). All campers have access to a central dump station for waste disposal.
• **Connectivity and Logistics:**
  • Good cell service is generally available, which is a significant plus for many California campers.
  • The entrance gate is locked overnight (typically 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) for security, with a combination provided for late access.
  • Generators are permitted, but only during specified daytime hours (typically 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) to maintain quiet hours.
• **Interpretive and Educational Programs:** The park features a Visitor Center (housed in a historic 1934 ranger’s cottage) that showcases local history, marine life, and flora, often hosting Junior Ranger programs and educational campfire talks.

**Features / Highlights**

The distinct appeal of Campsite #76 is inextricably linked to the unique features of the San Clemente State Beach experience, offering a blend of natural beauty and quintessential California beach culture.

• **Prime Blufftop Views:** One of the most sought-after features of this campground is the elevated location, which allows for unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean, spectacular sunsets, and the coastal landscape that characterizes Southern California.
• **Access to World-Class Surf:** San Clemente is famous worldwide for its surf breaks, including the legendary Trestles, which is nearby. Campers at Site #76 have direct access to the water for surfing, body surfing, and swimming.
• **San Clemente Beach Trail:** The campground is a perfect base for exploring the coastal trail, a paved multi-use path that parallels the shore and is ideal for walking, jogging, or biking into the town of San Clemente and along the coast.
• **Family-Friendly Environment:** The campground is known for its family atmosphere, offering a picnic area with shade ramadas, a group camping area, and often hosting educational programs that make it a safe and engaging environment for children.
• **Year-Round Availability:** Unlike campgrounds in the high Sierras, this coastal destination is open year-round, allowing Californians to enjoy beach camping even in the mild winter months.

**Contact Information**

To ensure a successful reservation, especially for a specific and popular location like Campsite #76, California residents should always contact the official State Park channels.

**Address:** 225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente, CA 92672, USA

**Park Information Phone:** (949) 492-3156 (San Clemente State Beach Office)

**Reservation Line:** (800) 444-7275 (Toll-free number for California State Parks camping reservations, highly recommended to book several months in advance).

**What is worth choosing**

Campsite #76 at San Clemente State Beach is worth choosing because it delivers the quintessential, highly sought-after **California coastal camping experience**. It represents the ideal blend of natural beauty—stunning ocean views, direct beach access, and coastal bluffs—with the convenience of modern, clean amenities, and immediate proximity to a vibrant Orange County city. For Californians, this site offers a highly convenient, yet utterly transformative, getaway that connects you to the heart of Southern California's surf and sand culture. Given the extreme demand for these seaside spots, securing Campsite #76 means guaranteeing yourself a memorable and distinctly Californian beach vacation.

Campsite #76

San Clemente, CA 92672, USA