Best Beaches in San Clemente, California

Southern California is known for its warm weather and blue skies all year round. And, naturally, one of the most popular activities to do is visit the beach! If you’re looking to visit or move to a place where coastal living is front and center, San Clemente has some of the best beaches in Orange County, California.

Is there more than one beach in San Clemente?

San Clemente is home to over four miles of gorgeous sandy beaches. The beaches in San Clemente range from popular destinations with plenty of amenities to smaller areas that are hidden gems.

Continue reading for a few of our favorites or contact the San Clemente real estate specialists at First Team Real Estate with your San Clemente area questions.

San Clemente State Beach

The San Clemente State Beach is a combination campground and day-use beach, situated amongst cliffs, bluffs, a woods. To access the beach, you have to hike down a path and walk through a tunnel underneath train tracks from the parking lot. There are also a few other paths you can take to find your own secluded spot on the sand. Plus, you’ll have access to restrooms, showers, firepits, and lifeguards.

As for camping, San Clemente State Beach is one of the best beaches in CA to go and is open to both tents and RVs. The San Clemente Coastal Trail begins at this State Park, where bikers, walkers, and joggers can take in the view of the coastline.

Trestles

Known for being one of the best places to surf in San Clemente, Trestles is a slice of heaven for thrill-seekers. This beach is made up of five different surf breaks, each with its own unique flow. Some of the most popular areas are named Uppers, Lowers, and Middles, with a variety of waves and surf for each skill level.

The waves are worth the trek it takes to get to Trestles, as the most popular access point is about a mile walk from the parking lot.

San Clemente Pier City Beach

As the main beach, the San Clemente Pier City Beach is one of the best beaches in Orange County. This beach encompasses both sides of the Pier between T Street and Linda Lane, with spanning grassy areas and a wide sandy area. After a nice day at the beach, you can stop by one of the many restaurants for a bite to eat or browse through a variety of shops along the Pier.

T Street Beach Pedestrian Overpass San Clemente Ca
T Street Beach, San Clemente

T Street Beach

Just south of the Pier sits T Street Beach, a beach named because of its position on the intersections of Esplanade Street and Paseo De Cristobal Street. With a pedestrian overpass taking you over the train tracks, T Street is a highly accessible and popular beach. Beachgoers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and surfing during designated times. Also, you can walk, bike, or run along the San Clemente Coastal Trail for more spectacular coastal views. T Street also has great amenities like concessions, restrooms, and lifeguards, making it one of the best beaches in San Clemente.

North Beach

North Beach is one of the best beaches in San Clemente, CA because of its spacious sandy area. Here, you can play volleyball on one of the courts or cook up a delicious lunch using its BBQ grills. North Beach also sits along the San Clemente Coastal Trail, where you can run, bike, or walk along the coast to access nearby shopping and restaurants. Parking is available for beachgoers, though it’s shared with the Amtrak train station.

Linda Lane

Just north of the San Clemente Pier sits Linda Lane Park. You can access this area by walking through a tunnel under the railroad tracks from the parking lot. Linda Lane not only has a nice sandy area for sunbathing and relaxing, but also a play area for kids, picnic tables, and volleyball courts nearby. Plus, you can easily take a walk to other fantastic nature spots via the San Clemente Coastal Trail.

Lost Winds

As one of the smaller and least crowded beaches in San Clemente, Lost Winds Beach is located on the coast of a development. You can park along the street in the development and walk down the steep stairs and trail for beach access. Here, you’ll find a lifeguard stand that is used during peak times and several volleyball courts. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy the San Clemente Coastal Trail and have access to restrooms nearby.

San Clemente is home to some of the best beaches in Orange County, CA with plenty of opportunities to surf, relax, sunbathe, walk, play volleyball, and more! Who wouldn’t want to call San Clemente home?

You can learn more about San Clemente and browse San Clemente homes for sale, schedule a meeting, or contact the San Clemente real estate specialists at First Team Real Estate.