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San Clemente State Beach, San Clemente, CA

Photo: Mr.schultz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

San Clemente State Beach

Oceanfront state beach at the south end of San Clemente, with tall sandstone bluffs and a historic Spanish Colonial cottage that serves as the visitor center.

225 W. Calafia Ave, San Clemente, CA, 92672 · San Clemente, CA

About San Clemente State Beach

This California state beach sits midway between Los Angeles and San Diego and has drawn visitors since 1931. A roughly one-mile stretch of sand lies between the surf and a steep bluff. Surfing, swimming, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and surf fishing are popular here. The park also has a campground with RV, tent, and group sites. Inside the campground, a 1934 Spanish Colonial cottage houses the visitor center, which shows local birds, marine life, and history. A 2.3-mile multi-use trail links North Beach with Calafia Beach, and dogs are kept off the sand.

  • #beach
  • #surfing
  • #camping
  • #historic cottage
  • #trails

What's around here?

The closest stops to San Clemente State Beach, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sports & Outdoors

    San Onofre State Beach

    Check prices

    A long coastal state beach south of San Clemente known for surfing, camping, and bluff trails.

    2.5 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Doheny State Beach

    Under $25

    A popular Orange County surf beach with a visitor center, tide pool, campground, and paved beachside trail.

    5.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Dana Wharf Sportfishing

    $25–$50

    Whale watching, dolphin cruises and sportfishing charters departing daily from Dana Point Harbor.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    6.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Capt. Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari

    $50+

    Dolphin and whale watching cruises from Dana Point Harbor, including catamaran trips with underwater viewing pods.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    7.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Museums

    Ocean Institute

    Under $25

    Non-profit ocean education center on the Dana Point Harbor waterfront with exhibits, touch tanks, and tall ship and research vessel trips.

    7.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sports & Outdoors

    O'Neill Regional Park

    Under $25

    Wooded canyon park in eastern Orange County with campgrounds, picnic areas, and trails for hiking, biking, and riding horses.

    17 mi awayMore like this