San Clemente is a fantastic weekend escape between Los Angeles and San Diego and is located on the California coast in Orange County. The lovely downtown area is ideal for shopping and walking, and the gorgeous San Clemente Pier is a fantastic place to watch the sunset over the Pacific.
San Clemente’s motto is “Spanish Village by the Sea.” It features magnificent Spanish colonial-style architecture that is worth gushing over, and rightfully so.
Are you looking for fun things to do in San Clemente? Whether surfing the popular surf breaks or shopping downtown, the city has many options for visitors and residents. San Clemente hosts a wide array of beaches, shopping districts, the San Clemente Pier, its quiet yet bustling neighborhoods, places to eat, and a whole lot more.
Types of Attractions in San Clemente
- Boat Tours and Water Sports
- Nature and Parks
- Fun and Games
- Spas and Wellness
- Nightlife
- Sights and Landmarks
- Museums
- Classes and Workshops
Read on to learn more about the best things to do in San Clemente, California.
Find the perfect gift or fulfill your style and taste. This city searches easy—experience shopping in San Clemente and find yourself coming back for more from designer options to affordable finds.
See the city in another light. As the sun sets and the parties start doing their magic, you’ll get to know Southern California better. Do it right by experiencing the best of the nightlife in San Clemente.
Master your swing and pivot with the many golf courses in San Clemente. Bring your confidence with you, and you’re good to go.
Create more moments filled with waves of laughter and learnings. Capture more smiles as your little ones enjoy the many exciting kids’ entertainment sites in San Clemente.
Experience shopping and relaxation in the most practical way possible. Catch the juiciest deals and discounts in San Clemente now!
Experience shopping and relaxation in the most practical way possible. Catch the juiciest deals and discounts in San Clemente now!
Travels can get better when you know the best routes to take. Tour like a pro by keeping up with the guides in San Clemente.
Fun Things To Do In San Clemente
Prepare to enjoy the wonderful outdoors in San Clemente, whether on land or the sea. Due to coastal fog, mornings might be cold and damp, but the sun generally shines by early afternoon. Dress in light layers to be prepared.
Start At The Beach
San Clemente State Beach
For novice and professional surfers, San Clemente State Beach is the best place to start your adventure in San Clemente. With an ocean surf to die and a foot of a steep bluff for a mile to try out. By the beach, you can enjoy the beautiful ocean, picturesque views of hills and mountains, and enjoy a temperate climate at the same time. If you want to stay at San Clemente State Beach for longer than a day, a campsite has restrooms and showers.
San Clemente Pier
San Clemente Pier is the most popular attraction in the city. The pier has a meager entry fee of $1.50 per hour and remains open from 10 am till 5 pm. There are fantastic seafood restaurants on the dock, where you can eat delicious freshwater fish and oysters. Don’t forget to watch a sunrise or a sunset for a religious view.
San Clemente North Beach
The northernmost beach on the San Clemente coastline is San Clemente North Beach. It is located on the San Clemente Beach Route. The San Clemente Beach Trail is a multi-use trail that offers various recreational activities to tourists, including walking, swimming, surfing, cooking, picnicking, and more. This beach is ideal for enjoying sunrises or sunsets while taking in the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
For Chilling and Camping
San Onofre State Beach
Imagine, having more than 2.5 million visitors per year is a big thing. San Onofre State Beach is the ideal place to surf, swim, sunbathe, camp, kayak, fish, and cycle. The beach is often full-packed. The campground offers outdoor showers and chemical toilets, and all campsites have a fire pit and picnic table. The San Mateo Campground offers outdoor showers and chemical toilets, and all camps have a fire pit and picnic table.
San Clemente Coastal Trail
While there are numerous sites to appreciate San Clemente’s coastal vistas, the San Clemente Coastal Trail is one of the greatest. This 2.3-mile multi-use route is popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists. You’ll pass through numerous parks, restaurants, and attractions as you walk along the path, which offers beautiful views of the coastline and sandy beaches. Bicycle San Clemente offers bike rentals, and public toilets are located along the route. So, it would be best if you never missed visiting the San Clemente Coastal Trail.
History and Culture
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
Casa Romantica keeps the history, culture, and ecology of California. Beautifully set on a bluff overlooking the historic San Clemente Pier, enclosed in five acres of elegantly landscaped estate gardens. These gardens are home to trails and walking paths, cacti, flowering shrubs, and other endemic species, as well as breathtaking ocean views.
Surfing Heritage and Culture Center
Surfing Heritage and Culture Center is a community-based organization that honors the sport of surfing. The center was built to promote and preserve the heritage of surfing for future generations. Also, to encourage and inspire people to share their passion for the sport.
Street of Downtown for Shopping
Shopping at Downtown San Clemente
A plethora of things to do in Downtown San Clemente. There’s the farmer’s market along Avenida Del Mar and El Camino Real that goes around Sundays. Enjoy fresh produce like meats, bread, vegetables, fruit, and flowers.
Sidestreet Gallery and George’s Music Space
For every hobbyist, it is essential to find a hobby stall wherever you go. So if you are a keen hobbyist, the best place to be is in Sidestreet Gallery and George’s Music Space. You can find paintings, musical instruments and a lot of things that’ll you’ll surely love.
Restaurants in San Clemente
Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar
Anywhere in San Clemente is fine to dine but never miss to dine at Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar. It is located at the end of San Clemente Pier. They serve fresh food daily mixed with all the flavors of California and its culture. Not only that their food is good, but it is also decently priced, a perfect and ideal place to be after spending a day at the beach.
Nick’s San Clemente
Nick’s San Clemente has been offering tasty, high-quality meals in a welcoming, pleasant atmosphere since 2008. This restaurant serves traditional American food with a contemporary touch.
Antoine’s Cafe
Biscuits and gravy or steak and eggs will get you ready for the day’s activities. Order the fresh strawberry pancakes or French toast if you have a sweet craving.
Pizza Port
Pizza Port, a small business in Southern California known for both its pies and beers, is a must-visit for those who enjoy the combo of pizza and beer. If you’re traveling with a large party or the grandchildren, this is the place to go.
Places To Stay in San Clemente
Beachcomber Inn
Stay at the Beachcomber Inn, which is only steps from the pier, for the greatest ocean views in town. The bedroom and terrace of each villa have an ocean view. Make use of the BBQ grill and campfire located on-site.
San Clemente Cove
Oceanfront condominiums with individual balconies, many with partial ocean views, are available at San Clemente Cove. This hotel, which is also feet from the beach, has on-site barbeque grills and various daily activities for visitors.
Sea Horse Resort
The Sea Horse Resort welcomes dogs and provides studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments only a step from the beach. Take advantage of a full ocean-view accommodation and watch the sun set every evening. Alternatively, unwind on the garden terrace, which also has excellent views.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in San Clemente, CA?
The numerous notable and top things to view in San Clemente, California, are San Clemente State Beach, Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, San Clemente Pier, and T-Street Beach.
What are some of San Clemente’s most popular outdoor activities?
San Clemente’s seaside position makes it a perfect destination for various exciting outdoor activities in Orange County, California. Surfing, swimming, sunbathing, hiking, biking, and jogging are the most popular outdoor activities.
What are the greatest activities to do with kids in San Clemente?
San Clemente is a great place for a family holiday. Walking the Sea Summit Trail, checking out the play areas at Linda Lane Park on the beach, or splashing about in the aquatics facility at Vista Hermosa Sports Park are some of the finest things to do in San Clemente with kids.
Final Thoughts: Visit San Clemente
So those were the fun things to do in San Clemente. If San Clemente hasn’t piqued your interest yet, it would be best to see it for yourself! San Clemente has several attractions that will enthrall tourists of all sorts, including single travelers, families, couples, and others. Never miss a chance to shopping, beaching, surfing, and experiencing the San Clemente vibe. The California coast awaits you with its little slice of heaven, where no one gets bored.