San Clemente State Beach Campground

San Clemente State Beach Camping Guide Continued

Since 1937 San Clemente has been one of the most popular beaches in California. A dramatic setting and invigorating air satisfy its many visitors, whatever their interest, energy level or state of mind. The mile long beach stretches between the curling ocean surf and the foot of a steep bluff. Midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, the park attracts water sports enthusiasts and those seeking respite from the inland heat or an escape from nearby metropolitan areas.

Location – Directions

San Clemente State Beach is located on the south end of the city of San Clemente in Orange County.

Interstate 5 South
Exit Ave. Calafia
Proceed straight onto Ave. Calafia
San Clemente State Beach entrance will be on your left side in 1/4 mile

Interstate 5 North
Exit Cristianitos Road
Turn left and proceed over the freeway
Turn right onto Ave. del Presidente
Turn left onto Ave. Calafia
San Clemente State Beach entrance will be on your left side in 1/4 mile

Points of Interest & Additional Information

With its wide swath of sugary sand tucked between lovely sandstone bluffs and waves that often curl into perfect surfer pipelines, mile-long San Clemente State Beach ought to be blanketed with sun worshipers and board riders year-round.

Its daytime temperature rarely dips below 60 degrees, and nighttime lows hover in the 40s or 50s — ideal temps for walking down short (though steep) paved paths to cool sand. The campground is also a good spot to huddle around campfires after watching the sun slip silently into the ocean.

Trails follow two ravines that cut through sandstone canyons dense with coastal sage scrub and occasionally offering glimpses of gray foxes, cottontails and raccoons. Hummingbirds, great horned owls and even green parrots abound. A mostly paved trail between the beach and bluffs lends itself well to joggers, and some photographers thrill to capturing images of passenger trains that pass on nearby tracks.

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.

San Onofre State Beach is a few miles south and offers 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.