Hidden Gems in San Clemente

Lost Winds Beach

Beach · Moderate

Also called Lasuen or Los Alamos Beach, entered near Calle Lasuen down "a long steep stairway and a sloping slippery trail" that then "crosses over the railroad tracks to the sand"; the entrance is noted as difficult to locate, with the San Clemente Guide marking it by a California state flag. Volleyball courts on the sand, restrooms about half a mile in either direction, and no dogs.

• Access: The entrance is difficult to locate.

Described from californiabeaches.com, sanclementeguide.com

Riviera Beach

Beach · Moderate

A south San Clemente public beach "with access from a hard to find spot" - through an entrance between homes on a cul-de-sac, with free street parking and no restrooms or other amenities. Two creeks drain from canyon areas and may pool near the railroad tracks after heavy rainfall.

• Access: Access runs beside the railway. Use the designated crossing.

Described from californiabeaches.com, sanclementeguide.com

Boca del Canon Beach

Beach · Moderate

Midway between the pier and Calafia, entered inside the La Ladera housing development where "the start of the street is gated to cars" - park outside and walk downhill past the vehicle gates, crossing the Coastal Trail and active railroad tracks. A narrow sandy strip backed by large rocks piled next to the tracks, popular for surfing.

• Access: Municipal beach in front of homes. Known locally as The Hole.

Described from californiabeaches.com, sanclementeguide.com

Ole Hanson Beach Club

Landmark · Easy

A public swimming facility built in 1928 above North Beach, renovated and reopened in 2016, with a 25-yard lap pool, a separate wading and lesson pool, locker rooms and event space. Local guides single it out for its Mediterranean architecture.

Described from sanclemente.gov, sanclemente.org, californiabeaches.com

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens

Landmark · Easy

A 1927 Spanish Colonial Revival house "nestled atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean," now owned by the city and run as a cultural centre and gardens, walkable from the San Clemente Pier. Programming spans art exhibitions and classes, live music and theatre, youth education and garden workshops.

Described from casaromantica.org, sanclemente.org, sanclementeguide.com

Mariposa Beach

Beach · Moderate

A small beach access point in northern San Clemente, not far from the pier and on the San Clemente Beach Trail. The San Clemente Guide directs visitors to "enter at end of the bridge by turning towards the hill and walking through the tunnel."

Described from sanclementeguide.com, californiabeaches.com

Miramar Theater

Landmark · Easy

Opened 12 May 1938, a Spanish Colonial Revival building designed by Clifford A. Balch; it closed in 1992 and is listed as a historic landmark that is "no longer a theater." A plan approved in 2017 would convert the auditorium into an events centre and the former bowling alley into a food court, resubmitted in August 2023 after construction stalled.

• Access: A historic building, no longer operating as a theater.

Described from wikipedia.org, sanclemente.org

San Clemente Beach Trail

Trail · Easy

A flat, easy 2.3-mile coastal trail of about 1.5 hours running from the North Beach train station to San Clemente State Beach, with parking at North Beach, the pier and the state beach. Dogs must be leashed and are not allowed on the beach, and railroad tracks run close by near Lost Winds; local guides credit the trail with "access to hidden coves."

• Access: Runs alongside an active railway. Use designated crossings only.

Described from sanclementeguide.com, californiabeaches.com, sanclemente.org

These places change and we do not get to visit them all. If something here is closed, moved, or just wrong, tell us and we will fix it.

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