San Clemente

It’s all about the beach in San Clemente, a town set along 4 miles of gorgeous Southern California coastline. See why this town makes a great getaway for anyone interested in surfing—as well as beach camping and outlet shopping. 

Surf Culture in San Clemente and the 2028 Summer Olympics

San Clemente is one of the country’s leading surfing destinations, largely because of Trestles, the legendary series of five breaks at San Onofre State Beach along the border with San Diego County. Trestles draws surfers from all over the world and hosts major professional surfing events thanks to waves that are considered among the very best off the U.S. mainland.

Indeed, the Lower Trestles will be the site of surfing competitions during the 2028 Olympic Games. Check out these tips on how to get tickets and where to stay during the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

How to Rent Surfboards and Surf in San Clemente

If you’re not quite ready to take on Trestles, you can learn to ride the waves with lessons at Wavehuggers Surf School. For surf gear and fashion heads to Icons of Surf, which carries everything a surfer needs, as well as a distinctive selection of surf fashions. To rent a board, a good first stop is Usedsurf, which rents out shortboards, longboards, and hybrids at reasonable prices.

How to Get to San Clemente

Located on the southern edge of Orange County, San Clemente is easily accessible off Interstate 5, about an hour’s drive from both Los Angeles and San Diego, and about 40 minutes from Anaheim. It’s also just a 10-minute drive to Dana Point, a prime spot for whale-watching.  Or, you can take public transportation to San Clemente by riding Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner from train stations in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.

What to Do in San Clemente

Beach Fun and the San Clemente Pier

For most visitors, beach life centers around the landmark San Clemente Pier, the wooden structure that extends nearly a quarter mile out above the waves. With a license, you can fish from the pier or get your seafood the easy way while also enjoying gorgeous views at the Fisherman’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar; favorites include the oysters Rockefeller and whole Dungeness crab.

For a nice introduction to the San Clemente oceanfront, bike or walk along the city’s 2.3-mile Beach Trail, which passes the pier as it connects North Beach and Calafia Beach.

San Clemente State Beach and Campground

Located on the southern edge of town, the one-mile San Clemente State Beach is one of the oldest state beaches in California, established in the 1930s and featuring a visitors center, cottage, and tables built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The beach is backed by  sandstone cliffs and offers solid surf waves (though milder than Trestles); on the blufftop, the San Clemente State Beach Campground comes equipped with 72 RV hook-ups and 160 campsites, each with a fire ring and picnic table.

Why San Clemente is Called the ‘Spanish Village by the Sea’

Head into downtown, where red-tiled-roof Spanish-style architecture quickly reveals why the town, officially founded in 1925, got the nickname “Spanish Village by the Sea.” For a romantic vision of San Clemente’s past, take a self-guided tour at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, the gorgeous blufftop 1927 Spanish Colonial Revival estate of city founder Ole Hanson. The views are spectacular and Casa Romantica also regularly hosts music and dance performances.

Another fun fact: President Richard Nixon bought a mansion in San Clemente in 1969, which acted as a “Western White House,” then became his post-presidential home. The house is not open to the public, but San Clemente is within an hour’s drive to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda.

Outlet Shopping in San Clemente

San Clemente is also home to the iconic flip-flop brand Rainbow Sandals, which operates its factory here and also has a store at the Outlets at San Clemente. Don’t miss the ocean-view outlets for its deep inventory of stores: Along with Calvin Klein and Lululemon  you’ll find Vans, Tillys, and the California-inspired fashions of Marine Layer. Plus, you can pick up free guides and maps at the onsite California Welcome Center.

Restaurants in San Clemente

Beyond the pier, you’ll find a good selection of inventive dining and local favorites. Start with Ilya, the Mediterranea restaurant helmed by Top Chef alum Charbel Hayek—think seafood, meze, and wood-fired pizzas. The popular Nick’s San Clemente also has a beautiful modern interior with wood and brick details, the perfect setting to enjoy contemporary American favorites, including a delectable cioppino positively swimming with seafood. Or head to Sonny’s Pizza & Pasta, a classic old-school spot beloved by San Clemente locals for its crispy thin-crust pizzas.

Downtown San Clemente also boasts a lively craft beer scene: Two of the top spots are Docent Brewing and Artifex Brewing Co., where the creations include Orange You Different, a citrusy New England–style IPA.

Coffee Shops in San Clemente

You’ll find two prime coffee stops along the Beach Trail: Head to Bear Coast Coffee for a flavorful latte or West Toast Café for coffee alongside avocado toast or an acai bowl near the pier. For a java or a matcha latte with a breakfast sandwich and a side of surf ambience, head to the flagship of the small chain Sur Coffee. Coffee purists who eschew sweeteners will love the offerings at Rapport Coffee and Roasters.

If you want to pair your coffee with a full breakfast, consider The Sunrise Café or Sugar Shack.

Where to Stay in San Clemente

You can stay right near the beach or soak up surf culture during your stay in San Clemente. Choose from options such as the suite-style Sea Horse Resort or the casitas at Casa Tropicana, both near the pier, or unique boutique options such as the surfing-themed Nomads or the Casablanca Inn (themed after the movie, complete with a Rick’s Suite). You’ll find an array of reliable chain hotels, too, such as Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and The Volare, part of the Choice Hotels’ Ascend Collection.