San Clemente State Beach features rugged sandstone cliffs towering silently above the beach.  The campground sits atop the bluffs, offering spacious sites and spectacular views. As a personal note, my family began camping here in 1956, and we have camped here well over 100 times; it is one of our long time favorites, where we have celebrated births, weddings, graduations, birthdays, and numerous other occasions with family and like-minded friends.

The park was dedicated in 1933 on 100 acres of land purchased from H.H. Cotton, one of the founders of the City of San Clemente. (H.H. Cotton also built his home on a nearby bluff overlooking the ocean, which became the Western White House in the 1960s and 1970 whilst Richard Nixon was in residence…) The facilities at the park were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) between 1934 and 1937. Some of their signature rustic stonework is still in evidence around the park. The Visitor’s Center is a Spanish Colonial adobe cottage, recently restored as an events venue. (During the 1950s and 1960s the cottage was a residence for lifeguards and other park employees…)

The  Campground consists of 160 campsites, all  with picnic tables and fire rings. 72 are designated as RV and trailer sites, and feature water, electricity (30 and 50 amp), and sewer connections; there is also a sewer dump station on-site; 88 sites are “dry” camping, for tents, vans and small trailers and RVs; There are several restroom and shower buildings with pay showers. Restrooms and showers are well maintained, although they vary greatly in age.

The campground is located at the south end of the City of San Clemente.  The entrance to the campground is accessed just off the Calafia exit from the 5 freeway (Interstate 5).  There is a beach-front trail that follows the railroad tracks about 1 1/2 miles to the San Clemente Pier, and it continues about another mile to the Metrolink Station. There is also a Metrolink and Amtrak stop at the pier, but is it served only by a few trains each day.  The pier area also offers several restaurants, both on the pier and on the adjacent street; our favorite spot for a quick bite and morning coffee is Bear Coast Coffee. The Pier is located at the foot of Del Mar Avenue; “Downtown” San Clemente is about 1/2 mile up Del Mar.

The best features of this campground are the large, pull-through RV sites.  Site #31-53 (odd only) are the largest RV sites, and #57-72 are the smallest (#72 is VERY small…), but most offer ocean and sunset views down through the canyon. (We call sites #57-72 the “new” sites; they were added in the late 1960s…) All other sites are more than adequate for a large RV or trailer plus 2 cars, the maximum allowed.  Many sites, especially site #20-56, offer room for pitching tents as well.

The “dry” campsites are very spacious, and most are well spaced away from others. Each site features paved parking stalls for 2 vehicles, plus a picnic table and ramada. Water is available nearby. Sites #82-83 are right on the bluff-top, are very large, and are perfect for friends camping together. Note that Sites #82, 83, 85, 88, and 89 are directly on the edge of the bluff; while there is a fence (added in the 1980s), these sites might not be a good choice for families with small children.

San Clemente 10

The beach…

 

San Clemente 2San Clemente 1

More Beach…

 

Pier Bowl

 

San Clemente 12

Nice place to relax…

 

San Clemente 17

Restrooms and Showers…

 

 

Typical street scene…

 

San Clemente 5

Large, pull-through campsites…

 

Reserve early: For weekend year around, or anytime in the summer, you must reserve at EXACTLY 8:00 am on the first day of the 6th month prior – For August reservations, be online at 7:45 am on February 1!  ReserveAmerica.com