San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station is a decommissioned power plant on the Pacific coast of San Diego County, sitting south of Los Angeles between the ocean and a busy highway. Two large white reactor domes rise beside a network of buildings, parking lots and storage facilities visible from the beach and the coastal road.

The first unit came online in the late 1960s, while two larger reactors joined about fifteen years later. Cracks in steam generators discovered in 2012 forced operators to halt the site the following year.

The facility stands directly beside Interstate 5, between Camp Pendleton and the shore, where surfers and beachgoers could watch the white domes rising from the water. Local communities organized years of protests over faulty steam generators, which eventually led to the permanent closure.

The site is not open to the public, but drivers on Interstate 5 and walkers on the nearby beach can observe the exterior. Security patrols the perimeter while cleanup and dismantling work will continue for many more years.

One large containment vessel was installed backwards and only noticed after assembly, leading to increased inspections years later. The mix-up occurred during construction and sparked discussions about quality control in large projects.

Location: San Diego County

Inception: 1968

Website: http://sce.com/PowerandEnvironment/PowerGeneration/SanOnofreNuclearGeneratingStation/default.htm?goto=songs

GPS coordinates: 33.36890,-117.55500

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:01