San Clemente,
California

San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches, surfing, and Spanish colonial-style architecture. 

San Clemente in CaliforniaSan Clemente

San Clemente's city slogan is 'Spanish Village by the Sea' and, like Santa Barbara, it's a pretty place to walk around, with lots of its houses, shops, restaurants, and other buildings having cream stucco walls, red-tiled roofs, and windows and doors using dark woods, in Spanish style.

Getting to San Clemente

With average traffic it should take about an hour to drive to San Clemente from San Diego, and a little more from Los Angeles because of the heavier traffic. You can take either the Pacific Coast Highway along the coast, or I-5, which also runs through the city.

Our Pick of the California Guides

Rough-Guide-California-2023.png

You can also take the Amtrak train from either San Diego or Los Angeles to San Clemente, and the city has two stations, including one right by the pier. You might want to think about taking the train, to avoid the hassle of traffic and parking.

Amtrak train tracks in San ClementeTake the Train to San Clemente

When to Visit San Clemente

San Clemente has an almost perfect climate, so any time of year is a good time to visit. You might want to avoid February, when it gets about 1/3 of its annual rainfall, but even that month only sees just over 3" (76mm). There's hardly any rain from May to October.

It averages 310 sunny days a year. December is the coldest month with average highs of 67F (19C) and average lows of 49F (9C). In August you can expect average highs of 87F (31C) and average lows of 61F (16C).

What to Do in San Clemente

Casa Romantica

Casa Romantica was built in 1927 as a home for the founder of San Clemente, a real-estate developer named Ole Hanson. It was Hanson who said he wanted the town to be a Spanish Village by the Sea, and his own home was designed in the same style. Today it's the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. 

You can tour the house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. You can also enjoy the gardens, of which there are thirty different ones including a Butterfly Garden, Native American Garden, and a Children's Garden. There's also a wide range of activities, including yoga workshops, poetry workshops, wine tastings, and live concerts, so if you're visiting San Clemente, check out their events calendar.

Golf

San Clemente has its own Municipal Golf Course. In addition, in the hills above the town, there's the Talega Golf Club. This has an 18-hole championship course which has been voted one of the best in the USA, plus a driving range, a restaurant, and its buildings are in the attractive Spanish Colonial style.

San Clemente Beach Trail

There's a pleasant walk or bike ride to be had along the San Clemente Beach Trail. It's dog-friendly too, offers some great views along the way and runs for 2.3 miles (3.7 kms).

The pier at San Clemente in CaliforniaSan Clemente Pier

San Clemente Pier

Unlike, say, Santa Monica Pier, there's not a lot to do on San Clemente Pier other than walk along it, enjoy the views from one of the benches, and maybe dine or have a drink at one of the eating places. It's still a lovely pier, though!

San Clemente Surf School

Yes, now's your chance to learn to surf, and the fact that they're open all year round tells you something about the San Clemente weather.

Surfing

Despite Huntington Beach calling itself Surf City, San Clemente also has a right to claim the title. It has numerous surfing beaches, surfing shops, and surfboard manufacturers. It publishes no fewer than three different surfing magazines, has a surfing museum (see below), and it's also home to several champion surfers.

Paddle Surfing in San ClementePaddle Surfing in San Clemente

Surfing Heritage and Culture Center

This free museum (donations welcomed, of course) has a huge collection of photos, videos, surfing memorabilia, surfboards, posters, clothing, magazines, and books about surfing from all over the world.

Richard Nixon

One notable San Clemente resident was President Richard Nixon, who lived here from 1969-1980. His home was dubbed the Western White House, and it's where he wrote his memoirs after leaving the presidency.

Other California coast pages

  • Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.

    Newport Beach

    Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.

  • This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.

    Visiting Hearst Castle

    This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.

  • Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

    Coastal California Guidebook

    Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

  • Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.

    Whale Watching in California

    Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.

  • Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

    Bodega Bay

    Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

  • A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

    Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel and Monterey, with photos

    A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

  • The Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.

    Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on the Central Coast of California

    The Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.

  • Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

    Santa Catalina Island

    Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

  • Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

    Santa Monica, California

    Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

  • Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

    Pismo Beach

    Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

  • The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo

    The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

    Laguna Beach Inn and Spa

    The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

  • Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.

    Santa Barbara

    Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.

  • For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.

    Moss Beach Hotel

    For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.

  • Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

    Carlsbad

    Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

  • Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

    Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

  • The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.

    Laguna Beach

    The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.

  • La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

    La Jolla, in southern California

    La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

  • The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

    Point Reyes National Seashore

    The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

  • Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

    Vagabond's House Inn

    Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

  • Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

    Encinitas

    Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

  • Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

    Santa Monica Pier

    Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

  • PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Mendocino

    PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

  • Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

    Monterey, on the Pacific Coast Highway in California

    Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

  • San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

    San Simeon

    San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Portion of PCH closed since Palisades Fire to open for essential travel only

    Feb 20, 25 10:47 AM

    Officials at the California Department of Transportation on Wednesday announced the expansion of the “soft closure” of Pacific Coast Highway to residents who need it for essential travel. A portion of…

    Read More

  2. Severe storm brings flash flood warnings, mudslides and full PCH closure in Malibu

    Feb 15, 25 11:03 AM

    The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the Franklin Fire burn scar in Malibu, in effect until 8:00 PM tonight. Heavy rainfall is creating dangerous conditions, with a high r…

    Read More

  3. PCH closed again due to fears of landslides

    Feb 13, 25 11:07 AM

    Drivers who have never had an accident may be getting whiplash none-the-less this week as the Pacific Coast Highway has closed yet again. The latest development in the ongoing fiasco of accessing the…

    Read More