San Clemente, California: A Laid-Back Beach Town with Charm

1. Del Mar Street

Del Mar Street in downtown San Clemente is a shopper’s paradise and home to an array of trendy boutiques, designer and brand stores, art galleries, quirky cafés, bustling restaurants and sophisticated wine bars. Fondly known as the beating heart of San Clemente, also known as the ‘Spanish Village by the Sea,’ Del Mar Street is a short walk from the San Clemente Pier and offers a wealth of entertainment both day and night.

Spend the afternoon strolling through the shops where you are bound to find something for the kids. As the sun sets, sip cocktails at one of the many classy wine bars overlooking the bustling street, followed by casual or fine dining at some of the best restaurants in San Clemente.

2. San Clemente Pier

Located at the very end of Del Mar Street, The San Clemente Pier is one of the city’s most popular attractions. Surrounded by miles of sandy beaches and crashing waves, the pier and its famous clock tower offer beautiful views of the coastline and the city, during the day and at night.

There are many benches on the pier on which to sit and soak up the stunning views as you listen to the waves crashing on the shore. During the summer months, the sides of the pier are packed with surfers waiting for the perfect wave and sitting in the sunshine and people watching is a favorite pastime of the locals.

Another favorite activity on the pier is fishing, with plenty of fisherman lining the sides. The pier also offers a variety of places to eat from fast food to sit-down dining with lovely sea views. The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar serves fresh seafood and the Oyster Bar is a good place for sundowners.

3. San Clemente Coastal Trail

Beginning at the North Beach train station and running for five miles south towards San Clemente State Beach, the San Clemente Coastal Trail is the perfect way to explore the beautiful San Clemente coastline.

The beach trail passes by many of the beaches in San Clemente, as well as the San Clemente Pier, T-Street, the downtown district and a variety of parks, volleyball courts and many restaurants.

The Beach Trail is pet-friendly and offers pet hygiene stations along the way while several beaches have public restrooms and concessions for two-legged walkers and joggers. The Trail is fantastic at all times of the day with fresh, ocean breezes in the morning and cool starry nights when the sun goes down.

4. San Clemente State Beach

San Clemente State Beach is located at the south end of the city and is one of Orange County’s most popular beach campsites. Stretching between the breaking ocean surf and the foot of a steep bluff for a mile, San Clemente State Beach is surrounded by beautiful ocean, hill and mountain views and enjoys a temperate climate.

San Clemente State Beach offers an array of campsites for motorhomes, caravans and tents overlooking the spectacular beaches of San Onofre with restrooms, indoor and outdoor showers and drinking water.

Activities in the area include cultural and historical sites to explore, an Environmental Learning and Visitors Center with interpretive exhibits and programs, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, diving, surfing and wildlife watching. Reserving campsites is required and is advisable to do so early due to the popularity of the campground.

225 Avenida Califia, San Clemente, CA 92672

5. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens

Perched on a bluff overlooking the historic San Clemente Pier, the magnificent Casa Romantica celebrates the history, culture and ecology of California. Built in 1927 by a well-known architect of the time, Carl Lindbloom, for the founder of San Clemente Ole Hanson, the seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom home offers a tangible journey back in time.

Casa Romantica is surrounded by five acres of beautifully landscaped estate gardens that are home to winding trails and walking paths, flowering shrubs, cacti and other endemic species, as well as breathtaking ocean views. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Casa Romantica has been transformed into a multi-purpose museum and function center for the community to enjoy.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672, 949-498-2139

6. San Onofre State Beach

San Onofre State Beach is one of California's most famous beaches, welcoming more than 2.5 million visitors per year who come to surf, swim, sunbathe, camp, kayak, fish, and cycle.

Rated as one of the top five most-visited state parks in California, San Onofre State Beach has three distinct areas, namely the San Onofre Bluffs, the San Mateo Campground and the San Onofre Surf Beach. San Onofre Bluffs is popular with swimmers and surfers and offers camping next to the sandstone bluffs.

The campground offers outdoor showers and chemical toilets and all campsites have a fire pit and picnic table. San Mateo Campground lies slightly inland from San Onofre State Beach and offers indoor hot showers, flush toilets and a 1.5-mile nature trail that leads to the world class surfing site known as ‘Trestles Beach.'

San Onofre Surf Beach is for day use only and offers several surf breaks ranging from gentle breaking waves for beginners to one of the world’s most consistent breaks at Trestles.

7. Surfing Heritage and Culture Center

The Surfing Heritage and Culture Center is a community-based organization that celebrates the sport of surfing.

The center is dedicated to preserving, presenting and promoting the heritage of surfing for the appreciation and education of future generations. The center also aims to inspire and encourage people to understand and share their passion and love for surfing.

The Center covers the full spectrum of surfing from its history and development to current trends, and houses significant surfboards and other objects of cultural value as well as awe-inspiring photography.

Serving as a symbolic center for the wave riding culture in the United States, this world-class museum/resource facility also offers educational and outreach programs that support and promote the sport on all levels.

110 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente, CA 92672, 949-388-0313

8. San Clemente North Beach

Named for being the northernmost beach along the San Clemente Coastline, San Clemente North Beach sits along the San Clemente Beach Trail and offers a variety of activities to enjoy including walking, swimming, picnics, bonfires and cookouts.

Picnic tables and barbecue pits are scattered along the beach, as well as concessions and restrooms and there is a small playground with swings and other equipment for the kids. Located near to the train station at the corner of Pico and El Camino Real, access to the beach is easy with plenty of parking within walking distance. While dogs are not allowed on the beach, they can be walked along the surrounding beach trails.

1725 Avenida Estacion, San Clemente, CA 92672

9. Talega Golf Club

Set high above the hills of San Clemente, Talega Golf Club features par 72, 18-hole championship golf course, a Spanish colonial clubhouse and beautiful views.

Tthe Fred Couples Signature course offers one of the best golfing experiences in Southern California. Established in 2001, Talega features 18-holes, a driving range, a beautiful Spanish colonial clubhouse with a bell tower and village courtyard setting, a restaurant and bar, a pro shop and a gift shop.

Talega Golf Club is home to the Signature Grille and Bar that offers breakfast “on the go” at the Deli every morning, and midday lunch in the dining room or out on the patio. The Signature Grille and its private patio are available for private events and the Grille’s bar serves a variety of libations to accompany the cuisine.

990 Avenida Talega, San Clemente, CA 92673, 949-369-6226

10. Vine Restaurant

Offering an unforgettable Wine Country dining experience, Vine Restaurant is home to a rustic, contemporary wine bar, open kitchen and semi-private dining table that can be booked for private events.

The Restaurant offers guests an exceptional dining experience paired with award-winning wines from the Napa Valley and other wine producing regions, with over 25 labels to choose from. Beautifully furnished in warm earthy tones with comfortable seating and soft lighting, VINE’s culinary team creates a menu of dishes made from scratch with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and presented with passion and flair.

Signature dishes include hand-reared meats, freshly caught seafood and handpicked fruit and vegetables, and a diverse selection of beverages ranging from artisan craft beers and handcrafted cocktails to over 25 worldwide wine selections by the glass.

211 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672, 949-361-2079