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Del Mar Beach at Camp Pendleton

Camp Pendleton, CA

A secure beach setting offering 116 full-hookup campsites and beach cottages managed by MCCS.

Planning notes

  • This is a military recreation facility.
  • Eligibility and base-access requirements must be checked prior to planning a visit.

Campout details

Event-specific details from the YMCA notice; confirm access and site assignments with your Group Chief.

  • Enter Camp Pendleton through the main gate. Friday check-in is 2–7 pm; do not arrive before 2 pm, when the YMCA gate roster becomes available.
  • Use the visitor lane and bring a REAL ID, or a current driver’s license plus passport. The gate may also ask for vehicle registration and insurance. Bring the YMCA parking pass and printed dashboard sign with your Club, Group, and phone number filled in.
  • Confirm your gate-roster status with your Group Chief, especially if you registered late. Plan to arrive Friday and stay through Sunday; Saturday re-entry is arranged only from 3–5 pm and may be difficult.
  • Follow your Group Chief’s assigned site map and marked tent perimeter. Unload promptly at the beachfront site, then move your vehicle before setting up your tent. Use the 12th St. main lot south of the campsites or the overflow lot east of the camp office unless your Group Chief assigns a site parking pass.
  • Tent camping only for this group’s beach area. Most assigned RV sites have electricity and limited water; coordinate any group equipment with your Group Chief.
  • Restrooms and showers are available, with additional portable toilets planned. The YMCA will provide firewood; ask your group about an above-ground fire ring, since each RV site has one ring and no additional rings will be provided on the sand.
  • Quiet hours are 10 pm–7 am. Fires must be in fire rings, watched by adults, extinguished with water (never sand) and out by 1 am.
  • Swim and body board only in lifeguarded areas, not directly in front of the group’s tent and RV sites. Follow lifeguard directions.
  • Sunday checkout is strictly 11 am: remove all gear from the beach and clear the RV sites. Once fully packed and parked in the main lot, you may stay to enjoy the beach.

Beach and base rules

  • Beachfront spaces are for unloading unless your Group Chief assigns a parking pass. Each RV site has only four vehicle passes; vehicles must fit fully within the space or may be ticketed or towed.
  • No glass, drones, unauthorized vehicles on the beach, ground fires or hoses/extension cords running through camp. Do not build tall structures that block other campers’ views.
  • Do not move lifeguard cones. Use only designated lifeguarded swimming areas and observe swim/surf zones.
  • No phone use while driving. Skateboards, skates, scooters, ATVs and other off-road vehicles are prohibited at the campout.
  • Use the designated restroom for your group, supervise children at the shared playground, do not mark the site with graffiti and pack out trash if bins are full.

What to pack

Read the YMCA Adventure Clubs rules

Official sources