San Clemente has a diverse range of activities to offer, making it an ideal destination for a holiday getaway. You can enjoy the pristine beaches, take in the stunning views on an oceanfront hiking trail, and indulge in exceptional dining and unique boutique shopping experiences. There is something for everyone in this charming beach city in Orange County.
San Clemente offers plenty of sunshine, a fascinating historical legacy of surfing culture, and mellow small-town charm. You can enjoy breathtaking coastal views at the pier or walk, bike, or run along the beach trail for some fresh air. “Southern California’s Endless Summer” beach hangouts are the ultimate place to enjoy bonfires and surfing.
Explore our list of the top places to see and things to do in San Clemente and plan the ideal Californian summer vacation.
The 48 Most Popular Things To Do In San Clemente, California
48. Talega Park
4.0 (1 review)
Location: Talega Park 179 Corte Cristianitos San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 361 8264
Web Address: https://san-clemente.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/53/2553
47. San Mateo Creek
5.0 (2 reviews)
46. Colinas Ridge Trail
4.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Anurag Singhal, Google Maps
45. Patriot Trail – Flag Pole
5.0 (4 reviews)
Credit: Joel Nasers, Google Maps
Location: F8JV+4M San Juan Capistrano CA
44. San Mateo Point
4.8 (4 reviews)
43. Salt Creek
3.8 (5 reviews)
Credit: Sergei Gussev, License, Flickr
42. San Juan Creek
4.2 (6 reviews)
Credit: Jon Munsell, Google Maps
41. Ridgeline Trail-Camino Del Rio Trailhead
4.3 (20 reviews)
Credit: C.J. Reuter, Google Maps
Location: Camino del Rio San Clemente CA
40. Poche Beach
4.4 (20 reviews)
Credit: marco antonio kim, Google Maps
39. Gray Matter Museum of Art
4.6 (21 reviews)
Credit: Sarah Brown, Google Maps
Location: 2001 Calle Frontera San Clemente CA
Web Address: https://gmmaca.org/
38. San Clemente City Beach
4.8 (22 reviews)
Credit: FASTILY, License, Wikimedia commons
37. Terramor Aquatic Park
4.7 (25 reviews)
Location: 26281 O’Neill Dr Mission Viejo CA
Web Address: https://laderalife.com/amenities/water-park/terramor-aquatic-park
36. Capistrano Beach Park
4.8 (30 reviews)
Location: 35005 Beach Road Dana Point CA
Web Address: http://ocparks.com/beaches/capistrano
35. Vista Hermosa Sports Park
4.4 (34 reviews)
Location: 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 429 8797
Web Address: http://san-clemente.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/61/2553
34. Bonito Canyon Park
4.5 (34 reviews)
Credit: Susan S. McClellan, Google Maps
Location: 1304 Calle Valle San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 361 8264
Web Address: http://san-clemente.org/
33. Tierra Grande Park
4.3 (63 reviews)
Location: 399 Camino Tierra Grande San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 361 8264
Web Address: http://san-clemente.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/55/2783
32. Del Obispo Community Park
4.5 (69 reviews)
Credit: Sofia ‘Sonya’ A, Google Maps
Location: 34052 Del Obispo Street Dana Point CA
Web Address: https://danapoint.org/department/general-services/parks/parks-trails/del-obispo-park
31. Pico Park
4.2 (76 reviews)
Credit: Scott Hinsche, Google Maps
Location: 315 Avenida Pico San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 361 8264
Web Address: http://san-clemente.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/177/2783
30. Sea Summit Trail – North El Camino Real Trailhead
4.8 (79 reviews)
Location: San Clemente CA
29. San Luis Rey Park
4.4 (79 reviews)
Credit: Malia Bever, Google Maps
Location: San Clemente CA
28. Rancho San Clemente Park
4.6 (95 reviews)
Credit: Antoine Price, Google Maps
Location: 150 Calle Aguila San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 361 8264
Web Address: http://san-clemente.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/45/2553
27. Vista Del Sol Park
4.8 (97 reviews)
Credit: Se Hyuk Park, Google Maps
Location: 111 Avenida Costa Azul San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 361 8264
Web Address: http://san-clemente.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/175/2553
26. Palisades Gazebo Park
4.7 (98 reviews)
Credit: Skye Gallagher, Google Maps
Location: 26401 Palisades Dr Dana Point CA
Tel: 949 248 3500
25. Sendero Field
4.6 (113 reviews)
Location: 29201 Ortega Hwy Mission Viejo CA
Tel: 949 625 6500
Web Address: http://ranchomissionviejo.com/
24. Las Ramblas Trail Head
4.8 (129 reviews)
Credit: Elena Omelchenko, Google Maps
Location: Camino Las Ramblas San Juan Capistrano CA
23. Doheny State Beach
4.4 (130 reviews)
22. Dana Cove Park
4.7 (132 reviews)
Credit: Leila X. Echols, Google Maps
Location: Dana Point CA
Web Address: http://dpharbor.com/
21. Salt Creek Beach
4.8 (137 reviews)
Web Address: http://thebeachcities.com/recreation/beaches-saltcreek.html
20. Richard T. Steed Memorial Park
4.4 (147 reviews)
Credit: Ryan Archer, Google Maps
Location: 247 Avenida La Pata San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 361 8264
Web Address: http://san-clemente.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/47/2553
19. Founders Park
4.6 (203 reviews)
Location: 28275 Avendale Blvd Ladera Ranch CA
Tel: 949 218 0900
Web Address: http://laderalife.com/
18. San Gorgonio Park
4.5 (205 reviews)
Credit: Beverly Ginestra, Google Maps
Location: 2916 Via San Gorgonio San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 361 8264
Web Address: http://san-clemente.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/49/2724
17. Talega Golf Club
4.2 (221 reviews)
Location: 990 Avenida Talega San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 369 6226
Web Address: http://talegagolfclub.com/
16. San Onofre Beach
4.5 (237 reviews)
15. Creekside Park
4.6 (433 reviews)
Credit: Richard Schave, Google Maps
Location: 25743 Streetonehill Dr Dana Point CA
Tel: 949 248 3557
Web Address: https://danapoint.org/department/general-services/parks/parks-trails/creekside-park
14. Linda Lane Park
4.6 (606 reviews)
Location: 400 Linda Ln San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 361 8200
Web Address: http://sanclementeguide.com/linda-lane-park-and-linda-lane-beach.php
13. Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park
4.6 (709 reviews)
Credit: Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park, Google Maps
Location: 33401 Ortega Hwy San Juan Capistrano CA
Tel: 949 923 2210
Web Address: https://ocparks.com/caspers
12. Pines Park
4.7 (713 reviews)
Location: 34941 Camino Capistrano Capistrano Beach CA
Tel: 949 248 3530
Web Address: http://danapoint.org/index.aspx
11. North Beach
4.5 (1,095 reviews)
Location: Avenida Estacion San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 361 8219
Web Address: http://san-clemente.org/home
10. San Onofre State Beach
4.6 (3,668 reviews)
Location: Old Pacific Highway San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 492 4872
Web Address: http://parks.ca.gov/default.asp
Our Top picks
9. San Clemente State Beach
4.6 (66 reviews)
8. Surfing Heritage and Culture Center
4.9 (72 reviews)
Credit: Surfing Heritage and Culture Center, Google Maps
Location: 110 Calle Iglesia San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 388 0313
Web Address: https://shacc.org/
7. Trestles Beach
4.7 (76 reviews)
Credit: Sewageboy, License, Wikimedia commons
6. Forster Ranch Community Park
4.4 (125 reviews)
Credit: Jaime Ruiz, Google Maps
Location: 3207 Camino Vera Cruz San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 429 8797
Web Address: https://funorangecountyparks.com/
5. San Clemente Beach Trail
4.8 (292 reviews)
Credit: Davefoc, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: San Clemente Pedestrian Beach Trail San Clemente CA
Web Address: https://sanclementeguide.com/san-clemente-beach-trail
4. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
4.7 (574 reviews)
Credit: Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, Google Maps
Location: 415 Avenida Granada San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 498 2139
Web Address: https://casaromantica.org/
3. T-Street Beach
4.7 (835 reviews)
Web Address: http://san-clemente.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/79/2805
2. San Clemente State Beach
4.6 (1,269 reviews)
Location: 225 Avenida Calafia San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 492 3156
Web Address: http://parks.ca.gov/
1. Calafia Beach Park
4.7 (1,366 reviews)
Credit: Don Barrett, License, Flickr
Location: 243 Avenida Lobeiro San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 492 3156
Web Address: https://californiabeaches.com/beach/calafia-beach/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in San Clemente, California! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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