Welcome To My San Clemente Information Page

The City of San Clemente spans approximately eighteen square miles of coastline and scenic foothills.  Located midway between Los Angeles and San Diego it currently ranks as the 17th largest city in Orange County with a population just under 68,000.  

San Clemente residents often think of their town as paradise - where the 1920’s vision of a Spanish Village by the Sea still lingers, the sun shines an average of 322 days a year and the conveniences of metropolitan Southern California are balanced by fresh ocean air and beautiful beaches untouched by time.  San Clemente boasts "the world's finest climate", with an annual average temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Since 1937 San Clemente State Beach has been one of the most popular beaches in California.  A dramatic setting and invigorating air satisfy its many visitors, whatever their interest, energy level or state of mind.  This mile long beach stretches between the curling ocean surf and the base of a steep bluff.  There are many types of residences perched along the bluff top that enjoy spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the 1,296 foot long San Clemente Pier, a well known Orange Coast landmark.  Numerous stairways along the bluff provide access down to the coastal walking path and beach below.  

Throughout the coastal  belt  of San Clemente (south side of Interstate 5), you will find an eclectic array of residences ranging from original 1920’s summer beach cottages to custom multi-million dollar estates  as well as  multi-unit  condominium and apartment complexes.  On the north side of I-5 there is a much different looking residential area that offers more traditional, conforming neighborhoods that were mostly built within the last 30 years by major home builders.  Further to the north, up the canyon is Talega, a large, recently developed, master planned community that has one of the finest golf courses in all of Orange County.  Talega is very “family friendly” community that offers an extensive list of association amenities in more than 2,000 acres of open space.      

San Clemente has a vast surfing legacy; its shoreline is naturally positioned to catch swells all year long.  Going from South to North, they include:  Trestles (technically just south of the city line), North Gate, State Park, Riviera, Lasuen, The Hole, Beach House, T-Street, The Pier, Linda Lane, 204, North Beach, and Poche.

San Clemente is also the surfing media capital of the world as well as a premier surfing destination.  It is home to Surfing Magazine, The Surfer's Journal, and Longboard Magazine, with Surfer Magazine just up the freeway in San Juan Capistrano.

The city has a large concentration of surfboard shapers and manufacturers including Lost Surfboards, Stewart Surfboards and Cole Surfboards.  Additionally, many world renowned surfers were raised in San Clemente or took up long-term residence in town, including Shane Beschen, Mike Parsons (originally from Laguna Beach), Chris Ward, Matt Archbold, Christian Fletcher and many others.

San Clemente High School has won 6 out of 7 most recent NSSA national surfing titles. One title was won by Capistrano Connections Academy.

The city is served by the Capistrano Unified School District (click San Clemente School Info on the blue sub-navigational side bar for direct school links and more information).