San Clemente Beach Surfing Camping Activities

San Clemente Beach Southern California

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San Clemente Beach is located in Southern Orange County and is the last town before you enter the wide open space of Camp Pendleton. What was once a sleepy beach town populated by surfers and marines from the base has turned into and upscale beach destination. Hills surrounding the beach city are covered with houses all trying to get a piece of the spectacular ocean view. The rolling hills inland from San Clemenete have also have felt the hand of the developers with many of the canyons populated with housing tracts. Even with development, San Clemente remains a charming Southern California beach town. There are no high rise hotels lining the coast like Huntington Beach to the north and the city has a wonderful downtown with many restaurants and shops. Avenida Del Mar is San Clemente's main shopping district and it looks much the same as it did in the 1960s. This quaint street is lined with small shops and eatery's and is a pleasant relief form crowded shopping malls. San Clemente has several several excellent beaches including North Beach, San Clemente Main Beach at the pier and San Clemente State Park. T street is popular with surfers and and just a short walk south from the pier. Surfers would like to keep this place a secret and it has a reputation as a locals only surfing spot.

San Clemente Beaches

North Beach San Clemente is just off coast highway as you enter the city from Capistrano Beach. North Beach has a Metro link Station and a metered parking lot. During the winter most of the sand is washed away and North Beach is almost entirely rocks. From North Beach you can take the trail all the way to Pier. During the summer months a snack shop is open on North Beach.
Linda Park and Beach - Linda Park is operated by the city of San Clemete and is located at the end of Linda Lane. The park has metered parking, Picinic areas and a tunnel under the railroad tracks which leads to the beach.
Main Beach San Clemente - Located at the end of Aveinda Del Mar Main Beach is the heart of the San Clemente beach scene. The 1928 the 1,200 foot long wooden pier is the center piece of main beach. There is an Amtrak station at the foot of the pier (not all trains stop here) plus several nearby restaurants including fisherman's, a popular sea food place on the pier. there is a parking lot at Parque Del Mar next to the pier plus there is metered street parking. If you don't mind walking its possible to find free street parking.
T-Street - Located 1/2 mile south of the pier and named after Trafalgar Street which runs into the beach. The beach is nick-named T-Street in order to hide its location form non locals. T-Street is popular for surfing and body boarding.
San Clemente State Beach - This beach is on the south end of San Clemente. There is a large state run campground overlooking the beach and also a public metered parking lot at the end of Avenida Califia. There is no bridge or tunnel over the railroad tracks here so be careful crossing. The bluffs have several trails leading up into small canyons plus there is a dirt trail running along the beach.
Trestles Beach - While not in the city of San Clemente Trestles is well worth a visit. Sitting just outside the San Clemente to the South Trestles is one of the best surfing beaches in the world. Access to this Trestles beach is down a mile long paved trail.

San Clemente is the Southern most beach town in Orange County. The city is located about half way between Los Angels and San Diego. At one time San Clemente was the home of the Western White House when it was occupied by Richard Nixon. Interstate 5 runs through San Clemente and there are numerous off ramps leading to different sections of the city. Daily Amtrak and Metrolink trains service San Clemete with stops at main and north beaches. San Clemente is a good option for people planning a vacation in Southern California. There are plenty of hotels in San Clemente and it is ideally located for both LA and San Diego sightseeing.

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