Things to Do in San Clemente: Pier, Beaches, Trestles & Food
Orange County Travel: What Makes the Laid-Back Seaside Town of San Clemente So Charming?
Orange County is full of beautiful, laid-back beach towns.
In this guide, we’re taking a close look at one of them: the seaside town of San Clemente.
The pier at dusk is especially stunning, and the whole town has a charm that’s hard to resist.
Whether you live in Southern California or you’re just passing through, we hope it helps you plan your visit.
Never been to San Clemente? It sits a bit farther down the coast from Laguna Beach.
It’s quiet, relaxed, and beautiful — easily one of our favorite places.
1. What Is San Clemente? An Overview and What to Love
1-1. Where the Name “Spanish Village by the Sea” Comes From
Ole Hanson began developing San Clemente in 1925 with a vision of a "Spanish Village by the Sea."
Early building rules called for white stucco walls and red tile roofs, and that Spanish-style legacy is still visible in many of the town’s historic buildings.
1-2. Surf Culture and the Local Community
Trestles, just south of San Clemente, is known as one of the world’s top surf spots and has hosted WSL (World Surf League) events.
Plenty of locals paddle out at first light, and surfing is a big part of the community’s identity.
Surf shops around town carry everything from classic longboards to high-performance boards, and you’ll find surf schools offering beginner lessons.
1-3. Climate and the Best Time to Visit
San Clemente generally has mild coastal weather, with dry summers and most of its rain falling in the cooler months.
Early summer often brings the marine layer known as “June Gloom,” so mornings can start out gray.
In winter and spring, migrating gray whales pass offshore, and with a little luck you may spot them from the coast.
1-4. Why It’s Popular With People Who Just Want to Relax
Avenida Del Mar, the main street, is lined with boutiques and cafés, and it’s an easy, pleasant place to wander.
The beach trail running along the coast lets you walk or jog with sweeping Pacific views. Sections of the trail have been closed for construction, so check current access before planning a long walk, and follow any posted closures and detours.
At sunset, the view from the San Clemente Pier — sometimes with a passing train silhouetted along the shore — is the perfect way to unwind.
2. How to Get to San Clemente
2-1. Driving From Los Angeles or San Diego
From LAX (Los Angeles International Airport), take I-405 south until it joins I-5 South, then continue south to San Clemente.
Driving time varies considerably with traffic, especially on weekday afternoons and Fridays, so check a live navigation app before you leave and allow extra time.
From San Diego International Airport, it’s a straight shot north on I-5.
2-2. Traffic and Getting Around
Check live traffic before both the drive down and the drive back, especially on weekdays and busy beach weekends.
Once you’ve parked, the city’s free trolley is a handy way to get around town. All three routes run daily during the summer season, and the Red Line runs Friday through Sunday the rest of the year. Check the current schedule before your visit.
Planning a Southern California trip with a stop in San Clemente? Our hybrid rental cars are a fuel-efficient way to explore the coast. The minimum rental period is three days (72 hours), and the three-day charge applies even if you return the car early.
3. Historic Sites and Strolling the Streets
3-1. La Casa Pacifica (Former Nixon Residence)
La Casa Pacifica is a Spanish Colonial–style estate that Richard Nixon, the 37th president, used as the “Western White House” in the 1970s.
Diplomatic meetings with leaders such as Soviet General Secretary Brezhnev took place there, which makes it a draw for history buffs. It’s privately owned today, though, and not open to the public.
3-2. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is housed in the oceanfront home that Ole Hanson built for himself.
Its ocean-view courtyard and gardens are beautiful. The center is open during the daytime only (as of October 2026, it closes in the afternoon and is closed on Mondays), and some outdoor areas may be closed, so check its current hours and garden access before you go. For sunset, head to the pier.
It also hosts events such as exhibits by local artists, so check the schedule to see if something lines up with your visit.
3-3. The White Walls and Red Tiles of Avenida Del Mar
Avenida Del Mar is lined with white-walled, red-tiled Spanish-style buildings that are home to boutiques and antique shops.
Colorful tile work and ironwork details pop up all along the street, so hunting for photogenic spots as you stroll is part of the fun.
4. The San Clemente Pier
4-1. Pier Basics
The San Clemente Pier is a long wooden pier that dates back to 1928.
Over the decades it has been damaged by storms and repaired, and it remains one of the town’s best-loved landmarks.
It’s also a popular fishing spot.
4-2. Sunset Photos
Sunset is the classic time to be at the pier, and catching a train passing along the shore in the same shot makes for a memorable photo.
For sunset photos, pick an open stretch of sand away from the pier pilings and breaking waves, and keep an eye on the tide. If you want a passing train in your shot, stay off the tracks and use designated crossings only.
5. Trestles: One of the World’s Best Surf Spots
5-1. About the Break
Trestles is part of San Onofre State Beach, just south of San Clemente.
The most famous section, Lower Trestles, is known for a well-shaped peak that breaks both left and right.
It draws a skilled crowd, so it’s a spot where experience matters.
5-2. Lineup Etiquette to Know Before You Paddle Out
Parking fills up early on good surf days, and the break is a walk from the parking area, so plan to arrive early.
Before paddling out, take time to watch the conditions and how the lineup is working, and choose a break that matches your ability.
Respect right of way, don’t paddle around others to snag a wave, and never drop in on someone already riding one.
New Arrivals
Discover our newest arrivals—available now!
6. Comparing the Beaches: T-Street, State Beach, San Onofre, and More
6-1. The Beaches at a Glance
T-Street Beach, reached by stairs south of the pier, is a popular local beach with a lifeguard tower.
San Clemente State Beach has a campground up on the bluffs above the beach, with picnic tables and fire rings.
If you’re hoping to barbecue, check with park staff first about where fires and grills are permitted.
The trails down to the sand are steep in places, so plan accordingly if you’re bringing a stroller or need an accessible route.
Old Man’s, one of the surf breaks at San Onofre Surf Beach in the state park, is known for slow, rolling longboard waves. The rocky bottom can make getting in and out of the water tricky.
Wherever you swim or surf, pick a spot within sight of a staffed lifeguard tower and check conditions with the lifeguards first.
6-2. Tide Pools and Wildlife Watching
At low tide, the rocky area at the northern end of San Clemente State Beach can reveal tide pools, where you may spot sea urchins and other marine life.
Sea stars and sea anemones may turn up in the pools too — look closely, and watch your footing on wet rocks.
In winter and spring, keep an eye out for whale spouts offshore, and dolphins are sometimes seen as well.
Please leave the creatures and rocks exactly where you find them.
7. Where to Eat and Drink in San Clemente
7-1. Bear Coast Coffee | Coffee Across From the Pier
Bear Coast Coffee is at 618 1/2 Avenida Victoria, right across from the pier, and opens early in the morning.
It’s a relaxed spot to start your day by the beach.
Grabbing a coffee and walking out toward the water is one of the simplest pleasures in town.
7-2. Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar | Seafood Right on the Pier
Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar is a seafood restaurant right on the San Clemente Pier.
Fish and chips with a glass of California wine as the sun goes down over the ocean is hard to beat.
From the window seats, you might even spot dolphins swimming offshore.
7-3. Cafe Mimosa | Brunch on Avenida Del Mar
Cafe Mimosa is a French bistro–style brunch café on Avenida Del Mar.
As the name suggests, mimosas are a highlight, and it’s a nice stop for a leisurely brunch while you explore downtown.
Driving afterward? Choose a nonalcoholic drink or arrange another way to get around.
8. Shopping at the Outlets at San Clemente
8-1. Brands and Deals
The Outlets at San Clemente are home to brands including the Nike Factory Store, Calvin Klein, New Balance, OshKosh B’gosh, and Skechers.
Outlet prices are often below regular retail, and seasonal sales can add bigger discounts.
Holiday sales around Memorial Day weekend and Black Friday are typically good times to hunt for deals.
8-2. Ocean Views
The center sits on a hill with ocean views, so it’s worth pausing for a look at the horizon between stores, especially around sunset.
9. Tips for Traveling With Kids and Pets
9-1. Beaches With Kids
With kids, choose a spot near a staffed lifeguard tower, ask the lifeguards about the day’s conditions before anyone goes in, and keep a close eye on children, even at the water’s edge.
9-2. Stroller and Wheelchair Accessibility
The city offers beach wheelchairs free of charge; contact the city’s lifeguards in advance to arrange one.
Some routes down to the beach, including trails at San Clemente State Beach, are steep, so check your route ahead of time if you’re pushing a stroller.
9-3. Dogs
Pet dogs aren’t allowed on San Clemente’s city beaches or on the pier, but they’re welcome on open sections of the beach trail on a leash 6 feet or shorter.
For an off-leash outing, head to Baron Von Willard Dog Park at 301 Avenida La Pata.
Pets aren’t permitted on the city trolley or at Casa Romantica or Cafe Mimosa, so plan your stops accordingly. If you’re renting a car from us, please note that we ask customers not to bring pets in our rental cars.
10. FAQ
10-1. How does parking work?
The Pier Bowl lot and nearby lots are metered, and spaces around the pier and downtown fill up fast on busy days, so arriving early helps.
10-2. What should I know about visiting after dark?
Stick to well-lit areas, keep valuables out of sight, and plan your ride back in advance.
City beaches close at 10 p.m. and the pier closes at midnight, so follow posted closing times and stay out of closed or construction areas.
Many shops on Avenida Del Mar close in the evening, so if it’s late, a rideshare back to your hotel is an easy option.
10-3. Can I drink alcohol or barbecue on the beach?
Alcohol and glass containers aren’t allowed on the city’s beaches, and fires are limited to designated fire pits or permitted equipment.
State beaches, including San Clemente State Beach and San Onofre State Beach, have their own rules, and alcohol isn’t allowed on their beaches either. Check with park staff about fires and grills before you bring one.
10-4. Before you go
This guide reflects information checked as of October 2026. Trail access, garden access, trolley schedules, parking rates, business hours, and beach rules can change, so check official city and state park information before your visit.
We share more of our favorite spots on Instagram, so be sure to check them out.
You May Also Like
