Right at the base of the San Clemente pier are palapas, tables, barbeques, kids swings, bonfire pits and all you could want to make a family vacation a dream.

San Clemente's San Diego-esque weather that's the closest thing to Hawaii, minus the rain, makes this a really great place in Southern California to stay between Legoland and Disneyland.

San Clemente lacks the the luxury resorts with $500/night rooms offered at nearby Dana Point and Laguna Beach. What they offer are more affordable chain hotels families with kids often seek.  Add to that the mellow beach open till midnight, the restaurant on the pier with great dishes and a bar, and neat little souvenir shops, and you'll have yourself an overnighter.

Once the Western Whitehouse for Richard Nixon, the names of streets in this beachside community have Spanish names, many of them. Even the city name itself, "clemente", means merciful. Probably the most laid back beach in Orange County, surfers love it for its lack of hype. Some of the best surfing happens in San Clemente, known for Trestles surfing spot, where it is pure surf, all the way.

For families with kids, there's lot to eat, lots to see, and affordable places to sleep. But what you mostly get in San Clemente is a safe environment. If San Clemente isn't on your radar, it's a place worth checking out.

San Clemente distances:  

Disneyland 36 miles / 40 minutes

Legoland  25 miles / 27 minutes

Orange County Airport  28 miles / 31 minutes

San Diego (Zoo, SeaWorld)  60 miles / 1 hour

Family affordable restaurants in San Clemente include:

McDonald's Restaurant
www.mcdonalds.com
650 Avenida Pico
San Clemente, CA 92673
(949) 492-2420

Burger King
www.burgerking.com
Camino San Clemente
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 492-5869


Pizza Hut: San Clemente
www.pizzahut.com
415 E Avenida Pico Ste K
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 366-0111

Taco Bell
959 Avenida Pico,

San Clemente, CA
(949) 366-1768

Denny's Restaurant
www.dennys.com
529 E Avenida Pico
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 492-2382