A State Park unit with over 2.5 million visitors per year — one of the five most-visited state parks in California, per Wikipedia citing California State Parks. Its Surf Beach has three famous longboard breaks — The Point, Old Man's, and Dogpatch — all best on a south swell, plus the Trails beaches fronting the bluff campground to the south. Old Man's is a gentle, rock-reef break central to early California surf culture (Hobie Alter, Dewey Weber, Dale Velzy). Dogpatch is the beginner spot and the only SUP/kayak launch.
Practical facts. Park hours 6 a.m.–10 p.m. (seasonal). Day-use parking reported at $15 weekday / $20 summer weekend; annual pass $195. Flush/pit toilets and cold showers at Surf Beach; no camping at Surf Beach. San Mateo and Bluffs campgrounds via Reserve California. Note: adjacent San Onofre "Recreation Beach" on Camp Pendleton is military-only (active/retired/DAV/DoD).
Seasonality and crowds. Tailgate scene year-round; summer south swells busiest.
Know before you go. Rock reef makes entry/exit tricky; verify fees at parks.ca.gov; SUPs must stay at Dogpatch.