About San Clemente Real Estate

Discover San Clemente – Coastal Living in South Orange County

San Clemente real estate spans ocean-view homes, Spanish-inspired villas, beach cottages, and turnkey condos. Known as the “Spanish Village by the Sea”, the city showcases signature Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, red tile roofs, white stucco exteriors, and palm-lined streets that reinforce its laid-back surf town atmosphere. As the southern gateway to Orange County, CA, San Clemente is celebrated for its scenic beaches, iconic pier, walkable downtown, and mild Mediterranean climate—ideal for indoor-outdoor living.

Distinct neighborhoods deliver unique lifestyles. Popular areas include Central San Clemente around the Pier and Avenida Del Mar, the Coast District with larger homes near the I-5 and Outlets, Talega (master-planned with parks and trails), Forster Ranch (larger lots and hills views), and North San Clemente near Shorecliffs and North Beach. You’ll also find established neighborhoods in Rancho San Clemente, Marblehead, and Southeast San Clemente, offering everything from mid-century homes to newer construction and coastal condos.

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On the southern edge of Orange County, San Clemente blends small-town charm with oceanfront appeal. With convenient I-5 access and coastal rail service, residents commute north into OC or south toward San Diego—returning home to sunset pier walks and a lively, walkable downtown. The city’s Mediterranean weather, palm-lined beaches, Spanish-inspired architecture, and active community events create a relaxed yet refined coastal lifestyle.

San Clemente’s main attractions revolve around its beaches, pier, and historic downtown district along Avenida Del Mar, where you’ll find boutique shops, cafés, restaurants, a weekly farmers market, and seasonal street festivals. From bonfires on the sand to “sunset at the pier,” everyday life here feels like a vacation.

Top Attractions & Things to Do in San Clemente 

Spend the day at San Clemente State Beach—a favorite for surfing, swimming, and coastal trails—then catch a sunset at the iconic San Clemente Pier, home to the historic Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar. Walk to nearby Linda Lane Park, a family-friendly beach area with a fish-themed playground just north of the pier.

Stroll or bike the scenic San Clemente Coastal Trail, a roughly 2.3-mile path running along the shore from North Beach to San Clemente State Beach, with ocean views the entire way. Advanced surfers head to legendary Trestles Beach and nearby San Onofre State Beach, known for consistent waves, surf culture, and a relaxed, throwback vibe.

Explore the city’s Spanish village charm at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, the former home of founder Ole Hanson, which now offers art exhibits, concerts, and sweeping coastal views. Browse surf history at the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center, and shop ocean-view brands and outlets at the Outlets at San Clemente. Golfers can choose from local favorites like Shorecliffs, Talega, and San Clemente Municipal Golf Course, each with scenic ocean or canyon vistas.

Beyond the beach, San Clemente offers 25+ parks, athletic fields, and playgrounds—including Courtney’s SandCastle Universal Playground, a fenced, inclusive park for kids. Inland trails such as Sea Summit and hills above Forster Ranch and Rancho San Clemente provide additional hiking and viewpoints, while the coastline itself is ideal for whale and dolphin spotting (with dedicated whale-watch tours departing nearby from Dana Point Harbor).

San Clemente Neighborhoods & Areas

San Clemente is a patchwork of coastal, canyon, and hilltop communities, each offering its own lifestyle, architecture, and ocean-view opportunities. Here are some of the city’s key areas:

• Central San Clemente – Includes the historic core around Avenida Del Mar, the Pier Bowl, and surrounding streets. Homes range from classic Spanish bungalows and mid-century cottages to updated townhomes and small condo buildings, all within walking distance of the pier, beaches, shops, cafés, and events.
• Coast District – Inland of the I-5 just north of downtown, featuring larger lots, wider streets, and many two-story homes with hills, canyon, or partial ocean views. Residents enjoy quick access to the Outlets at San Clemente, the freeway, and the Coastal Trail.
• Forster Ranch – Set in the rolling hills above San Clemente, offering newer-era construction, cul-de-sac streets, community parks, and many homes on generous lots with backyard space and views of the hills or distant ocean. A favorite for buyers seeking a traditional neighborhood feel close to beaches and downtown.
• Marblehead – A hillside community north of Avenida Pico with a mix of gated and non-gated tracts. Many homes enjoy coastal breezes and views toward North Beach and the Pacific, plus access to newer sections like Sea Summit with modern architecture, trails, and community amenities.
• North San Clemente – Covers areas near North Beach, Shorecliffs, and neighborhoods bordering the Dana Point line. Housing ranges from beach-close condos and cottages to golf course homes and custom view properties, with quick access to the train station, Coastal Trail, and family-friendly beaches.
• Rancho San Clemente – Sits on a plateau east of the freeway, where many homes capture impressive ocean and canyon panoramas. The area offers parks, schools, and access to trails like Sea Summit and Rancho San Clemente ridgelines, appealing to buyers who want views without the hustle of downtown.
• Southeast San Clemente – Stretches toward Calafia Beach and San Clemente State Beach, with a mix of older Spanish-style homes, mid-century properties, and custom bluff-top builds. Many streets offer sweeping coastline and whitewater views, with a quieter, more residential feel that’s still close to T-Street, the Coastal Trail, and the freeway.
• Talega – A large, master-planned community in the inland hills northeast of downtown. Features newer homes, community pools, parks, sports fields, and miles of trails, plus housing from single-family residences to townhomes and golf course-adjacent properties near Talega Golf Club.

Annual Events & Festivals

San Clemente hosts a rich calendar of community events that highlight its surf culture, arts, and small-town charm. July’s San Clemente Ocean Festival—known as “The Greatest Show on Surf”—features water competitions, dory boat races, biathlons, a sandcastle contest, live music, food, and vendors. The 4th of July Fireworks Show over the pier draws crowds to the beach for a classic coastal celebration.

Families and athletes also enjoy the San Clemente Surf Summer Classic, a youth soccer tournament held each August, which brings teams from across Southern California to play near the coast. Throughout summer, the Beach Concert Series turns the shoreline into a live music venue, and the Fiesta Music Festival, presented by the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce, transforms downtown into a lively block party with food, vendors, and entertainment.

Art lovers visit the Annual Arts and Crafts Fair on the Community Center lawns and the monthly Village Art Faire on Avenida Del Mar, where local and Southern California artisans showcase handmade jewelry, art, and home decor. Carnival Colossal offers four days of rides, games, food trucks, and an Oktoberfest beer garden, while the annual San Clemente Car Show fills downtown with classic cars and enthusiasts.

Local brewery Artifex and other neighborhood spots host frequent community events, from live music to seasonal celebrations. Year-round traditions like gathering to watch sunset at the pier and beach bonfires at popular spots such as the Pier, T-Street, and North Beach give San Clemente its relaxed, coastal-community feel. Seasonal favorites such as SeaFest (with its chowder cook-off) and Christmas at the Casa at Casa Romantica round out the calendar.

San Clemente Real Estate FAQs

Contact

If you’re considering buying or selling a home in San Clemente—or want to compare areas like Talega, Forster Ranch, Central San Clemente, or Southeast San Clemente—contact Garry Loss, REALTOR® with Compass OC Coastal for local, data-driven guidance.