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Welcome to San Clemente State Beach. Since 1937 San Clemente 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. The mile long beach stretches between the curling ocean surf and the foot of a steep bluff. Midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, the park attracts water sports enthusiasts and those seeking respite from the inland heat or an escape from nearby metropolitan areas.
Getting There
San Clemente State Beach is located on the south end of the city of San Clemente in Orange County.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
San Clemente State Beach is located on the south end of the city of San Clemente in Orange County.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
“San Clemente, world’s best climate,” the slogan of the adjacent town of San Clemente, also describes San Clemente State Beach. Daytime temperatures are in the 60s and 70s almost year-round, while evening temperatures generally hover between the 40s and 50s. Rainfall comes primarily between December and March. In the spring the beach is often overcast - a soothing counterpoint to the warming inland areas.
“San Clemente, world’s best climate,” the slogan of the adjacent town of San Clemente, also describes San Clemente State Beach. Daytime temperatures are in the 60s and 70s almost year-round, while evening temperatures generally hover between the 40s and 50s. Rainfall comes primarily between December and March. In the spring the beach is often overcast - a soothing counterpoint to the warming inland areas.
Operating Hours & Contact
Please contact the park for hours of operation.
Telephone: 949-492-3156
Please contact the park for hours of operation.
Telephone: 949-492-3156
Camping
The family campground sits high atop the bluffs. Each of the 160 sites has a fire ring, picnic table and shade ramada, with water nearby. The RV area in the family campground accommodates 72 recreational vehicles, and has water, electrical and sewage hookups. A group camping area can handle 50 people and 20 vehicles, trailers included. Each campground has hot showers, flush toilets and a sink area.
Make Campground Reservations
Max Camper Length: 30 Feet
Max Trailer Length: 30 Feet
The family campground sits high atop the bluffs. Each of the 160 sites has a fire ring, picnic table and shade ramada, with water nearby. The RV area in the family campground accommodates 72 recreational vehicles, and has water, electrical and sewage hookups. A group camping area can handle 50 people and 20 vehicles, trailers included. Each campground has hot showers, flush toilets and a sink area.
Make Campground Reservations
Max Camper Length: 30 Feet
Max Trailer Length: 30 Feet
Activities
The ocean dominates the park’s activities. Trails follow two of the scenic ravines that cut through steep sandstone cliffs, providing easy access to the beach from the day-use parking area. Swimming, body surfing, board surfing, snorkeling and sunbathing are equally popular. While experienced surfers appreciate the challenging surf break, the beach also accommodates beginning surfers.
Bass, croaker, corvina and barred perch attract surf-fishing enthusiasts. In season during high tide, grunion come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand. They may only be caught by hand. A fishing license is required for all anglers age 16 and over.
The Nature Trail and the Butterfly Trail skirt the edge of the park. During the summer, park staff conducts campfire programs, junior ranger programs and hikes. Event schedules are posted around the park.
A picnic area delivers sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean from bluffs 150 feet above the beach. Two group picnic areas are also available. The visitor center is adjacent to the 200-space parking area.
The ocean dominates the park’s activities. Trails follow two of the scenic ravines that cut through steep sandstone cliffs, providing easy access to the beach from the day-use parking area. Swimming, body surfing, board surfing, snorkeling and sunbathing are equally popular. While experienced surfers appreciate the challenging surf break, the beach also accommodates beginning surfers.
Bass, croaker, corvina and barred perch attract surf-fishing enthusiasts. In season during high tide, grunion come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand. They may only be caught by hand. A fishing license is required for all anglers age 16 and over.
The Nature Trail and the Butterfly Trail skirt the edge of the park. During the summer, park staff conducts campfire programs, junior ranger programs and hikes. Event schedules are posted around the park.
A picnic area delivers sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean from bluffs 150 feet above the beach. Two group picnic areas are also available. The visitor center is adjacent to the 200-space parking area.
Natural History
The park’s sandstone bluffs present a visual history of its geology. Remnants of marine terraces formed under the ocean some 30,000 years ago, the bluffs are the product of countless centuries of rain, wind and sea, punctuated by the occasional cataclysmic flood or storm. The desert badlands look of eroded canyon walls has served as a location for several Western movies.
The park’s sandstone bluffs present a visual history of its geology. Remnants of marine terraces formed under the ocean some 30,000 years ago, the bluffs are the product of countless centuries of rain, wind and sea, punctuated by the occasional cataclysmic flood or storm. The desert badlands look of eroded canyon walls has served as a location for several Western movies.
Plant Communities
Coastal sage scrub occupies the undeveloped bluff top and canyon areas. Monterey cypress, toyon or “Christmas berry,” acacia, sycamore, prickly pear and cholla cacti, aleppo pine, coyote brush and buckwheat grow abundantly. Wild hyacinths, scarlet pimpernel, prickly pear cactus, Mariposa lilies and California poppies color the park with blooms. A rock garden and flowerbed at the entrance to the campground’s hookup area display species native to the San Clemente area.
Coastal sage scrub occupies the undeveloped bluff top and canyon areas. Monterey cypress, toyon or “Christmas berry,” acacia, sycamore, prickly pear and cholla cacti, aleppo pine, coyote brush and buckwheat grow abundantly. Wild hyacinths, scarlet pimpernel, prickly pear cactus, Mariposa lilies and California poppies color the park with blooms. A rock garden and flowerbed at the entrance to the campground’s hookup area display species native to the San Clemente area.
Wildlife
Stands of eucalyptus trees on the east side of the park provide winter habitat for migratory monarch butterflies. Brush-covered slopes and ravines are ideal hiding places for gray foxes, coyotes, ground squirrels, opossums, Audubon cottontails, raccoons and striped skunks. Lizards, king and gopher snakes, and an occasional rattlesnake represent the reptile community.
More visible is the avian population - mourning doves, northern mockingbirds, great horned owls, hawks, ravens and even wild flocks of green Amazon parrots share the skies and trees with an almost infinite variety of shore birds.
At low tide, at the park’s northern end, a rock formation is home to mussels, sea urchins, sea stars, limpets and shore crabs. Offshore, California sea lions play and rest on the rocks. In early winter and spring, migrating California gray whales pass by.
Stands of eucalyptus trees on the east side of the park provide winter habitat for migratory monarch butterflies. Brush-covered slopes and ravines are ideal hiding places for gray foxes, coyotes, ground squirrels, opossums, Audubon cottontails, raccoons and striped skunks. Lizards, king and gopher snakes, and an occasional rattlesnake represent the reptile community.
More visible is the avian population - mourning doves, northern mockingbirds, great horned owls, hawks, ravens and even wild flocks of green Amazon parrots share the skies and trees with an almost infinite variety of shore birds.
At low tide, at the park’s northern end, a rock formation is home to mussels, sea urchins, sea stars, limpets and shore crabs. Offshore, California sea lions play and rest on the rocks. In early winter and spring, migrating California gray whales pass by.
Park History
San Clemente State Beach was a matching fund gift in 1931 from the H.H. Cotton Company, developer of the nearby city of San Clemente. Ole Hansen, the first project manager for San Clemente, is credited with developing the park, envisioning it as the new seaside community’s outdoor amenity. The elegant Spanish Colonial style Hansen chose for the town - adobe and frame stucco with tile roofs - extends to the park’s buildings and structures. The Custodian’s Cottage complex, now a visitor center, is a prime example.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the park between 1934 and 1937. Their trademark rockwork is evident throughout the park, on picnic tables, and in gutters along the main road. Except for adding electrical hookups and replacing some stands of nonnative eucalyptus with trees indigenous to the area, the park retains its original flavor.
San Clemente State Beach was a matching fund gift in 1931 from the H.H. Cotton Company, developer of the nearby city of San Clemente. Ole Hansen, the first project manager for San Clemente, is credited with developing the park, envisioning it as the new seaside community’s outdoor amenity. The elegant Spanish Colonial style Hansen chose for the town - adobe and frame stucco with tile roofs - extends to the park’s buildings and structures. The Custodian’s Cottage complex, now a visitor center, is a prime example.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the park between 1934 and 1937. Their trademark rockwork is evident throughout the park, on picnic tables, and in gutters along the main road. Except for adding electrical hookups and replacing some stands of nonnative eucalyptus with trees indigenous to the area, the park retains its original flavor.
Accessible Features
Camping: Four tent sites and three full hook-up sites are accessible. Accessible restrooms with showers and adjacent accessible parking spaces are nearby.
Picnic Area: North Day Use Area. Accessibly located and designed picnic sites are available. They include water and fire grills. Restrooms and parking are also accessible.
Trails: The Multi-Use Trail provides a 1/4 mile accessible route from the Avenita Del Presedente Ave. pedestrian entrance and links the campground, day use parking and campfire center. The trail is constructed of compacted soil.
The Butterfly Trail provides a short, less than 1/4 mile, accessible pathway through a eucalyptus grove between the entry station and campfire center. The trail is constructed of compacted soil.
Beach/Shore Access: Beach wheelchairs are available. Contact park entrance kiosk at arrival to arrange for use and delivery to campsite. North beach access trail is the less steep of the two trails to beach, but transport for chair and rider in park vehicle may be arranged.
Visitor Center: Information on the history of San Clemente and of the San Clemente beach is generally accessible in the visitor center. Accessible restroom and parking are available in the adjacent day use lot.
Camping: Four tent sites and three full hook-up sites are accessible. Accessible restrooms with showers and adjacent accessible parking spaces are nearby.
Picnic Area: North Day Use Area. Accessibly located and designed picnic sites are available. They include water and fire grills. Restrooms and parking are also accessible.
Trails: The Multi-Use Trail provides a 1/4 mile accessible route from the Avenita Del Presedente Ave. pedestrian entrance and links the campground, day use parking and campfire center. The trail is constructed of compacted soil.
The Butterfly Trail provides a short, less than 1/4 mile, accessible pathway through a eucalyptus grove between the entry station and campfire center. The trail is constructed of compacted soil.
Beach/Shore Access: Beach wheelchairs are available. Contact park entrance kiosk at arrival to arrange for use and delivery to campsite. North beach access trail is the less steep of the two trails to beach, but transport for chair and rider in park vehicle may be arranged.
Visitor Center: Information on the history of San Clemente and of the San Clemente beach is generally accessible in the visitor center. Accessible restroom and parking are available in the adjacent day use lot.
Community Trips
