Welcome to San Clemente State Beach!
San Clemente State Beach is a stunning Southern California beach destination located at the south end of the city of San Clemente. Known for its ocean, hill, and mountain views, pleasant climate and Spanish Colonial style architecture, this stretch of beach has much to offer. San Clemente is commonly referred to as the "Spanish Village by the Sea," nodding to the city’s Spanish heritage.
San Clemente has been a California State Beach since 1937 and is popular among water sport enthusiasts and anyone who wishes to escape from inland heat and nearby metropolitan areas for the day. The beautiful mile long beach stretches between the curling ocean surf and the foot of a steep bluff.
Explore the Beach!
Camping
Stay overnight at this beautiful ocean-front destination
Historic Cottage
Host an event at our Spanish Colonial style historic cottage
Public Programs
Attend one of our upcoming public programs
The Holidays Camping
Explore the comfort and convenience of camping with delivery trailers
General Information
Day Use Fees
- Regular: $15.00 per vehicle
- Senior: $14.00 per vehicle (ages 62+)
- Disabled Day Use: $7.50 per vehicle (Valid CA State Parks Disabled Discount Pass required)
- Oversize: $30.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
- Senior Oversize: $29.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
- Disabled Oversize: $22.50 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
Summer Weekend and Holiday Fees
(Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend)
*Fees are subject to change on major event days or holidays*
- Regular: $20.00 per vehicle
- Senior: $19.00 per vehicle (ages 62+)
- Disabled Day Use: $10.00 per vehicle (Valid CA State Parks Disabled Discount Pass required)
- Oversize: $40.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
- Senior Oversize: $39.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
- Disabled Oversize: $30.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
Camping Fees
- RV Campsite (w/ Hookups): $70 per night
- Tent Campsite: $45-$50 per night
- Group Campsite: $250-$300 per night
- Extra Vehicle Fee: $15 per night
- Reservation Fee: $8.25 per reservation
- Dump Station Fee: $10 per use
Reservable through Reserve California
$2.00 off per night for Seniors (62+) online only.
This park offers a mix of both RV and tent camp sites. Max trailer length is 30ft.
Passes
The following State Park Passes are accepted at San Clemente State Beach:
- California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass
- Golden Bear Pass
- Limited Use Golden Bear Pass (not valid Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day)
- Disabled Discount Pass
- Distinguished Veteran Pass
- California State Parks Library Pass (must have Library hang tag)
San Clemente State Beach is located on Del Obispo/Dana Harbor Drive, approximately one mile north of I-5 and about four miles from San Juan Capistrano Mission. There are two parts to this beach: San Clemente State Beach and Calafia State Beach which are directly adjacent to one another and share the same access road Avenida Calafia.
Physical Address:
San Clemente State Beach (& Campground): 225 W. Calafia Ave, San Clemente, CA, 92672
Calafia State Beach: 243 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente, CA 92672
Aquatics
Since 1931, San Clemente has been one of the most popular beaches in California. Midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, the milelong beach attracts water sports enthusiasts and those seeking respite from the inland heat or nearby metropolitan areas. Swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, body surfing, snorkeling, and sunbathing are equally popular. While experienced surfers appreciate the cresting surf breaks, the beach also accommodates beginning board riders.
Visitor Center / Historic Cottage
This State Beach offers a look into the past right at the heart of the park's campground. A historic Spanish Colonial style cottage has been outfitted as the park's visitor center, retaining the cottage's original charm and architectural style. Showcasing the park's local birds, animals, marine life, and history, this cottage built in 1934 is a must-see when visiting San Clemente. Merchandise is also for sale by the San Onofre Parks Foundation.
The Historic Cottage/Visitor Center is OPEN Sunday through Friday from 10am-4pm. It is closed most Saturdays for special events, March through November. Free for all ages (parking fees will apply).
For reservations, please visit the Special Events at the Historic Cottage webpage.
Surf Fishing
Surf-fishing enthusiasts catch bass, croaker, corbina, and barred perch. In season during high tide, grunion come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand. Grunion may be caught only by hand. A valid California fishing license is required for all anglers age 16 and over. For current regulations, see the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing Website.
Camping
This State Beach offers a mix of RV, tent campsites, and group campsites ranging from $45-$300 per night! Experience the beauty of San Clemente overnight with friends and family, staying on a gorgeous cliffside overlooking the ocean. Check availability and make a reservation at Reserve California.
Accessibility
Restrooms, showers, seven campsites, the visitor center, the Butterfly and Multi-Use Trails, and picnic sites near parking are accessible. Assistance may be needed on the steep trails to the beach.
Multi-Use Trail
The Beach Trail is a popular 2.3 mile long trail that connects North Beach to Calafia Beach with stops along the way at the Pier and T-Street. This multi-use trail is great for walking, jogging, biking, and dogs (must be leashed). E-bikes and motorized vehicles are not permitted on this trail.
Fire Rings: Bonfires are only allowed within California State Park designated fire rings. All fire rings are first-come, first-served, unless reserved with a picnic area through our Special Events Department. Makeshift firepits are strictly prohibited.
Grills: Pedestal park BBQ grills (charcoal) are available in certain areas throughout the park on a fire-come, first-served basis unless reserved with a picnic area through our Special Events Department. You may bring your own propane grill but it must be at least 18" off the ground. Propane grills can be put anywhere on the beach behind the line of Lifeguard Towers.
Alcohol: Alcoholic beverage consumption PROHIBITED, unless approved through a Special Events Permit through our Special Events Department. Violators are subject to citation and possible dismissal from the park (CCR T14 4326).
Party Items: Balloons and piñatas type items are prohibited. Please help us keep our space clean and our wildlife safe from mistaking these items for food.
Tents: No enclosed tents. All tents must be open on at least one side.
Dogs: Pets are NOT allowed on the sand or in the water, with the exception of service animals. Pets ARE allowed on the multi-use trail and parking lots so long as they are on a leash and under control.
RVs: Pop-outs/awnings are not allowed in day-use parking spaces. Each parking space must be available for a paid parked vehicle at all times. If bringing an RV, you must be inside it or on the beach at any given time.
Oversized Vehicles: All vehicles must be properly parked at all times in accordance with governing regulations and bear in mind that Department personnel may specify the arrangement of your recreational equipment at any time.
Drones: The use of powered unmanned aircraft, drones, or other remote controlled aerial devices is prohibited within the park's boundaries. Use for filming may be requested under a California film permit.
Vending/Concessions: The vending and selling of items, food, or services within park boundaries is prohibited without a permit or contract with the State.
Inflatable Rafts: Non-U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation devices such as inflatable floats, boats, pool toys, tubes, rafts, and loungers are prohibited.
A full list of Orange Coast District Posted Orders is available here: District Superintendent's Posted Order No. 925-23-14
General Information: For general information, you may call our Recorded Information Line. For questions, please call our District Phone or send us an email.
- Park Recorded Line: (949)492-3156
- District Phone: (949)492-0802 , M-F | 8AM-4PM
- Email: OrangeCoastDistrict@parks.ca.gov
- Park Pass Office & Late Arrival Line (Camping): (949)670-8276
- Mon-Thurs: 9AM-4PM
- Friday: 9AM-2PM
- First Saturday of the Month: 8AM-12PM
- Mon-Thurs: 9AM-4PM
Educational Programming:
- Phone: (949)366-8503
- Email: Cryssie.Moreno@parks.ca.gov
Special Events, Picnic Reservations & Filming: For all activities that fall outside the scope of a normal beach day, please contact our Special Events Department.
- Email: SC.Cottage@parks.ca.gov or SpecialEvents.OCDSouth@parks.ca.gov
- Phone: (949)366-8530
Camping Reservations: To reserve a campsite at San Clemente, please contact Reserve California.
- Website: Reserve California
- Phone: 1-800-444-7275
San Onofre Parks Foundation
The San Onofre Parks Foundation (SOPF) is a California non-profit 501 c (3) public benefit, charitable corporation, whose mission is to assist California State Parks in the delivery of public education and interpretive programming at both San Clemente and San Onofre State Beach Parks.
City of San Clemente
The City of San Clemente manages the sand area north of San Clemente State Beach, including the pier, T-Street, and maintains the Beach Trail that runs along Calafia State Beach.
The Holidays Delivered
Camping Trailers delivered straight to your reserved campsite!
The Holidays San Clemente Trailers
San Clemente State Beach Vintage Trailers that offer a camping experience with more comfort and convenience!
LUV-2-CAMP, LLC
Camp Trailer Rentals
Our restrooms, showers, visitor center, Butterfly and Multi-Use Trails, and picnic sites near parking are all wheelchair accessible to offer an enjoyable experience to visitors of all abilities. The campground offers seven campsites with wheelchair accessibility as well.
Assistance may be needed on the steep trails to the beach. For assistance maneuvering a wheelchair down to the beach, you may call our District Lifeguard Tower at (949)204-5803.
Accessibility in state parks is continually improving. For more information, please visit Accessible Parks for All.
San Onofre Parks Foundation
The San Onofre Parks Foundation (SOPF) is a California non-profit 501 c (3) public benefit, charitable corporation, whose mission is to assist California State Parks in the delivery of public education and interpretive programming at both San Clemente and San Onofre State Beach Parks.
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