San Clemente California
Beach Vacation, the OC Getaway
offers a beach vacation next to the Pacific Ocean in an ideal OC Getaway. San
Clemente has some of the most generous beach hours in OC and Los Angeles. The
beaches are open from 4 a.m. to Midnight.
San Clemente
California beach vacation might best be described as the OC getaway. Why? It is
a popular
destination for local residents and tourists visiting the region and has
been so for decades, all the way back to the days of Richard Nixon. Just far
enough south from The OC - Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach with its MTV, San
Clemente is old-fashioned and easy-going. Who would know that Mavericks Big Wave
Surf winner 2008, Greg Long, originates from the San Clemente shores where he
surfs regularly? The surfing waves are ranked as the best in Orange County, but
near the pier, you can take lessons as a beginner, and experience the rush that
Long once felt when he surfed the very first time.
Ideally located between Los Angeles and San Diego, San Clemente is a unique beach town built on hillsides overlooking the Pacific
Ocean. It is conveniently located
for airport travel with flights at Orange County
Airport in Santa Ana. Over 2 million vacationers and visitors annually
come to San Clemente, and there are two special segments who find it
ideal--surfers and families with kids.
There's a reason
it once served as the Western White House for President Richard Nixon. The
Casa Pacifica oceanfront home built on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean was
sits at the southern-most point of San Clemente. Built for Hamilton “Ham”
Cotton, it sold in 1969 for President Richard Nixon. Mrs. Cotton, a democratic,
was reportedly furious that the conservative republican would own this prime
piece of property and host the likes of Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev, Mexican
President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, Henry
Kissinger, and Bebe Rebozo. Following his resignation, Nixon retired to San
Clemente to write his memoirs. Privately owned to this day, the public can't
visit or tour the property, but can look up from the beach near San Clemente
State Park to gaze at the home.
The city offers 20 acres of sand beach and a 1,200-foot
long fishing pier with commanding views of coastal bluff and hills. There
is a bait and tackle shop at the end of the pier and a full service restaurant
and bar at the base. Umbrella, surfboard and bodyboard rentals are available
within easy walking distance and food concessions are open on a seasonal
basis at popular North Beach, "T" Street Beach and Calafia Beach
Park. One of the most popular events
is the San Clemente Ocean Festival which is held at the base of the pier
on the third weekend in July. It features two days of lifeguard competitions, a children’s
pavilion, fishing derby, rubber duck race, an art show, sand castle
contest and a beach blanket barbecue and concert.
San Clemente has a small town feel but offers many restaurants,
hotels and shops and public parks and beaches. It is an enjoyable getaway
for those seeking to spend a few relaxing days in the sun and sand. San
Clemente State Beach is popular with surfers, skin divers and hikers.
Blufftop picnic areas overlook winding trails that lead down to the beach
can be found at this sunny seaside favorite located three miles south of
San Clemente on I-5 Basilone Road. Exit the 5 Freeway at Avenida Calafia
near the south end of San Clemente.
San Onofre State Beach is 3.5 miles of sand beaches
featuring six access trails cut into the bluff where the campground is
located. Swimmers, sun bathers and surfers who love Trestles Beach sometimes
get a treat when whales and dolphins swim by. The beach is south
of San Clemente on I-5 Basilone Road.
San Onofre naturist beach is located at the southern-most
500 feet of San Onofre State Beach. Situated on property leased from
the marine base, this clothing-optional beach is off Interstate 5
at Basilone Road exit, as well. Drive past the nuclear power plant to the
park's entrance. Drive south another three miles to the far end of
the park and walk on Trail #6, to the beach. 600 yards south is the
clothing- optional area. Enjoy your sun but remember that you can burn
quickly. And, don't be annoyed by the Marine helicopters flying overhead.
While you may think they are taking a peak, they routinely perform drills
and exercises here. San Clemente is growing like so much of Orange County that edges toward
complete build out of available lands. When visiting you can tell that San Clemente residents love their fantastic beaches, small town feel and
weather. Ideally situated between Los Angeles and San Diego, it's clear that
growth will continue, traffic congestion along Interstate 5 will increase
and people will want to build more houses and move to this Southern
California paradise. But for now, a visit to San Clemente provides an
old-fashioned experience, offering tucked away beaches, great shops and some
of the finest surfing on the West Coast at San Clemente State Beach,
Trestles and San Onofre State Beach.
San Clemente, California
County: Orange
Elevation: 208'
Information: (949) 492-1131
|
