Lost Winds, Linda Lane, North Beach, SC Pier, San Onofre, T Street, Trestles, State Beach, Old Man’s - it’s endless summer any time of year! There’s lifeguards on duty Memorial through Labor Day at most beaches, and convenient parking nearby. From surfing to sunbathing, picnics to bonfires, we’re home to miles of shoreline where memories can be made. 

We love our walks and this popular path provides 2.3 miles of casual coastline cruising from North Beach to State Beach. It’s perfect with pals or for exercise alone, plus it’s pet-friendly.

Stroll, fish or simply gaze out over the Pacific, our historic pier is home to sea life and special events, including the 4th of July fireworks show, tasty chowder cook-offs, fishing contests and loads of fun community activities.

This iconic eatery on the pier is where you meet for drinks, stay for seafood and enjoy an unmatched view of the ocean. Tourists and locals flock to this spot – where else can you snap a surfer barreling a wave with a sunset glowing on the horizon? If you’re lucky you might even catch a glimpse of the green flash as the sun  disappears on the horizon.

 5- Outdoor Concerts

We bring the band to the sand Thursday nights by the pier with our sizzling Summer Concert Series. Local musicians attract crowds to this popular event so grab the gang and beach boogie to some amazing sounds!

The one and only Greatest Show on Surf offers fun for the whole family. This annual event features Dory boat races, the Dolphin Dash, sandcastle contests, biathlons and plenty more, including fierce competition on the waves. Food, art, vendors and those popular souvenir T-shirts round out the excitement. We all win best at the annual Ocean Fest!

Overnights are always right and great getaways for townies and tourists, alike. Tent, trailer or RV, we relax and rewind beachfront-style at San Onofre, State Beach and San Mateo campsites – and don’t forget the s’mores!

This treasured gem atop our bluffs was built by SC founder Ole Hanson in 1927 and continues to dazzle visitors today. The cultural center offers historic home and gardens tours, art exhibits, films, classes, music, theater performances and events for all ages. A wedding venue favorite, it’s also a stunning showcase for any special occasion or celebration.

We swing our hearts out on 18-hole greens - Shorecliffs, Talega, San Clemente Municipal or Bella Colina. Special offers and rates are available at each club - it’s always our sweetest drive of the day!

 

10- Bicycling

Rent or ride your own along a variety of paths and enjoy majestic views of the ocean or inland hills for scenic greenery. Electric, mountain, dirt, ten-speed or cruiser bikes were built for SC and our area makes for some great adventure!

 11- Surfing

We’re a town that speaks in waves and ours say everything! With over a dozen spots for beginners or pros, surfers can find the perfect ride from San O to the famous rips and curls at Trestles (provided surf’s up)! Home to many professional and worldwide competitions, we’re proud to host and attend some of the best contests on tour.

We’ve got the world on a plate and a wide range of restaurants and cafes boasting menus to match. With a lion’s share of talented chefs our local eateries are known for combining skill and presentation for that memorable culinary experience. From eclectic cuisine to fine dining or fast food, we can always find our flavor to savor here!

We shop the crop weekly at the healthiest stop in town –  farm-to-table fruits, vegetables, smoked meats, nuts, baked goods and spices galore. Unique gifts, florals and crafts top off our baskets, every Sunday.

Creative spaces and opportunities abound around town naturally reflecting our beautiful environment. Open studios, collectives and art galleries feature scores of talent, plus we’re home to the famous artisan Rainbow Sandals. Street fairs and rotating exhibits also showcase local legends like Drew Brophy, Rick Delanty and James Parkhurst, among others. Collectors or creators, we enjoy the art of living!

We are proud of our wonderful elementary, middle and private schools for education, along with our prized “one town, one team” San Clemente High School - go Tritons! We’re also a broad community of opportunities for spiritual development, including traditional and non-traditional affiliations, along with additional social outreach.

Lotsa beer here with great breweries to tap - Left Coast, ROM, Judge, Lost Winds, Artifex and Los Molinos, to list a few. Our pioneering brewmasters provide intrigue with unique pours and quality craft selections to sample. Nothing better than a hot day at the beach followed by a cold one - hang ten and bottoms up!

Downtown is our destination for boutiques, rare finds, great T-shirts, surf shops, dazzling jewelry, apparel and more. With plenty of charming cafes, cool restaurants and bistros between stores, it’s easy to spend hours here - we love to live and shop local!

It’s always a treat to treasure hunt ‘Thrift Row’ for that special costume or retro decor. These ‘second-hand’ shops offer amazing curated collections and clothes, appliances, furniture, surprise items, old and new; family fun and a budget bonus, too.

Shop in one stop! From Lulu Lemon to Levis, find dozens of small-to-big name retailers and more famous footwear than you can fit on your feet. The Toy Box is our go-to for classic games, toys and fun for young and old, and The San Clemente Store carries amazing lines of local artisan-made gifts. Need a movie? We love the Cineplex for premier entertainment and epicurean eats to enhance the latest film.

Our best beauty secret is right here in our hometown and we’re lucky for the vast selection. We enjoy top rate skincare, hair, lash and nail salons, and our men can keep looking sharp at the local barbershops, too.

We stay fit and flexed in our numerous gyms, personal training sessions, exercise, dance, Pilates and yoga studios. We also indulge in opportunities to explore alternative  wellness methods, like cold plunges, hydrotherapy, IV hydration therapy, and additional restorative regimes to promote good health.

Our great outdoors isn’t only ocean - we’ve got terrific trails to trek, too. Beyond town our hills are filled with nature to explore and views to cherish – the perfect peaceful place, and it’s right in our backyard!

SC loves nostalgia as we ‘auto’ know! The San Clemente Car Show is an annual celebration of classic cars and sweet steel and chrome beauties. This popular downtown ‘block party’ turns 30 next year – woot, woot! Car buffs in need of a weekly fix can check out ‘Cars and Coffee’ every Saturday morning at the Outlets in SC. Fans of exotics, supercars, vintage, muscle, classic and sports will love this event!

When the sun sets, we’re just getting started! Local eateries and pubs offer billiards, bands and brews, with dancing at Goody’s, OC Tavern and others - even Knuckleheads offers up live licks for heel kicks - time to paaaarty!

The legendary swim center and events hall also tops as a picturesque wedding locale. Concerts, sunset symphonies and ‘Island Nights’ round out a roster of exciting offerings.

We’re always outside playing, so good thing we have plenty of parks available: baseball, softball, basketball, pickleball, tennis, volleyball - plus soccer, lacrosse and football fields. Our smaller parks are perfect for playground and picnic, many with firepits, children’s play areas and skate parks, too.

Getting around town and beyond is a breeze! The Pacific Surfliner travels the coast with two stops in SC. Residents often use the train to commute, while others ride for pleasure trips to San Diego and L.A. Our popular trolley is also ideal for local lifts throughout the city, especially those Happy Hour pub crawls - no drinking and driving necessary!

We’re a tight group and especially proud of our friendly local atmosphere where neighbors genuinely care for one another and their city. Despite a huge growth over the past 30 years, we’re still a small beach town at heart.

As our license plate holders boast around town, we have the World’s Best Climate! Occasional fog, passing rain and mostly sunshine skies means it’s never too hot or cold - always just right. Peak summer days attract inland visitors looking to beat the heat, and we’re happy to host - our hospitality is what makes this home!

San Clemente local quarterly for 30 years and going strong. Available free on newsstands and in businesses throughout town, we’re grateful for being a part of your lives and we look forward to continuing to tell the stories of this amazing community!b