Last reviewed: · Prices in US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview & City Profile
San Clemente (Orange County, California; pop. 65,526) sits at 71 m (233 ft) elevation near Bonita Canyon Park, with regional transit access via MCOLF Camp Pendleton (Red Beach) Airport (21.2 km). Visitors pair San Clemente landmarks with signature California specialties including Mission-style burritos & Baja-style fish tacos and San Francisco sourdough Dungeness crab & cioppino.
Within California, San Clemente (San Clemente, CA) serves as a us city in california. Travelers exploring California often combine a stop in San Clemente with state highlights such as Golden Gate Bridge & San Francisco, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Sequoia & Redwood National Parks, Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles & San Diego.
| Fact | Details for San Clemente (San Clemente, CA) |
|---|---|
| City & State | San Clemente, CA |
| County & Role | US City in California |
| State & Major Hubs | California (Los Angeles, San Francisco & San Diego) |
| Population | 65,526 residents |
| Elevation | 71 m (233 ft) above sea level |
| Nearest Airport / Transit Hub | MCOLF Camp Pendleton (Red Beach) Airport (21.2 km) |
| Coordinates | 33.427°N, 117.6120°W |
Getting to San Clemente & Getting Around
Via the regional hub (MCOLF Camp Pendleton (Red Beach) Airport (21.2 km)): Major hubs at LAX, SFO, SAN, OAK, SMF; Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Coast Starlight & California Zephyr; US-101, Hwy 1 & I-5.
- Public transit & contactless payment: Major US metro areas use tap-to-pay cards and mobile wallets (NYC OMNY, SF Clipper, Chicago Ventra, DC SmarTrip, LA TAP), while smaller towns and National Park gateways are best explored by rental car or intercity coach.
- Airlines & baggage rules: Flying domestically into LAX, SFO & SAN Airports + Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Coast Starlight & Capitol Corridor? Check your 22×14×9 inch carry-on and $35 checked bag fees in our TSA & Airline Baggage Checker.
- Driving & National Parks: If your route from San Clemente includes National Parks or Scenic Byways, use our $80 America the Beautiful Pass Calculator to see if the annual pass saves you money.
What Locals Eat in San Clemente (California)
1. Signature Regional Dish
In San Clemente (Orange County, California), local tables feature: Signature California dishes—Mission-style burritos & Baja-style fish tacos, San Francisco sourdough Dungeness crab & cioppino, and Santa Maria red-oak tri-tip & farm-to-table salads.
2. Diner, Smokehouse & Market Staples ($14–$28)
Around San Clemente and across California, local beverage lists highlight: Regional pours and beverages in California: Napa Valley Cabernet, Sonoma Pinot Noir & West Coast IPA, alongside independent American craft breweries, local roasters, and regional vineyards.
3. Local Craft Beverages & Regional Produce
At farmers markets and specialty shops in San Clemente (California), look for: Local specialties across California: California avocado toast, Coachella dates & Meyer lemon tarts, farmers-market seasonal produce, and regional smokehouse or bakery traditions.
4. American Dining & Tipping Rhythm (18%–22%)
Classic California dining—hearty diner or café breakfasts, casual lunch counters and food trucks ($12–$20), and evening neighborhood restaurants where 18%–20% table-service tipping and state/local sales tax apply at checkout. In a mid-sized city like San Clemente (pop. 65,526), visitors will find independent coffee roasters, craft taprooms, regional steakhouses or seafood shacks, and weekend growers markets showcasing California producers.
GeoNames Local Data: Elevation, Nearest Hub & Neighboring US Cities
- Elevation: 71 m (233 ft) above sea level
- Nearest Airport / Rail Hub: MCOLF Camp Pendleton (Red Beach) Airport (21.2 km)
- Nearby Landmarks & Points of Interest: Bonita Canyon Park (1.2 km) · San Clemente City Beach (1.5 km) · Calafia Beach County Park (2.4 km) · San Clemente State Beach (2.7 km) · Poche Beach (3.5 km)
- Local Districts & Neighborhoods: Villa San Juan Mobile Home Park, Capistrano Terrace Mobile Home Park, Capistrano Valley Mobile Home Estates, San Juan Mobile Home Estates, Rancho Alipaz Mobile Home Park
5 Nearest Neighboring US Cities & Towns
- Dana Point, CA (9.1 km)
- San Juan Capistrano, CA (9.5 km)
- Laguna Niguel, CA (13.8 km)
- Ladera Ranch, CA (16.1 km)
- Las Flores, CA (18.0 km)
Regional Specialties Across California
- Mission-style burritos & Baja-style fish tacos — a signature specialty across California.
- San Francisco sourdough Dungeness crab & cioppino — a signature specialty across California.
- Santa Maria red-oak tri-tip & farm-to-table salads — a signature specialty across California.
- California avocado toast, Coachella dates & Meyer lemon tarts — a signature specialty across California.
- Napa Valley Cabernet, Sonoma Pinot Noir & West Coast IPA — a signature specialty across California.
For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our American English Idioms & Allergy Show-Cards.
Best Time to Visit & Practical Tips for San Clemente
Best time to visit California: Year-round (Apr–Oct best for parks & coast).
- Sales Tax & Tipping: Menu and shelf prices in San Clemente exclude state and local sales tax. At sit-down restaurants, plan on an 18%–22% pre-tax tip. Use our State Sales Tax & Tipping Calculator ($).
- Cards & Contactless: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are accepted almost everywhere in San Clemente; keep $20–$40 in $1 and $5 bills for hotel bellhops, valet parking, and roadside farm stands.
- Emergency & Visitor Info: Dial 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies anywhere in the US, and dial 511 for state highway and weather road conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Where is San Clemente (San Clemente, CA) located in the United States?
San Clemente (San Clemente, CA) is a us city in California, United States (coordinates: 33.427°N, 117.6120°W, elevation: 71 m (233 ft)). It has a population of approximately 65,526.
How do I get to San Clemente by plane, Amtrak, or car?
Most visitors reach San Clemente via MCOLF Camp Pendleton (Red Beach) Airport (21.2 km). Major hubs at LAX, SFO, SAN, OAK, SMF; Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Coast Starlight & California Zephyr; US-101, Hwy 1 & I-5. You can compare Amtrak fares and passes using our Amtrak & USA Rail Pass Calculator ($).
What local food is San Clemente and California known for?
In San Clemente and across California, signature regional dishes include Mission-style burritos & Baja-style fish tacos, San Francisco sourdough Dungeness crab & cioppino, Santa Maria red-oak tri-tip & farm-to-table salads, as well as California avocado toast, Coachella dates & Meyer lemon tarts and Napa Valley Cabernet, Sonoma Pinot Noir & West Coast IPA. Remember that menu prices exclude state sales tax and 18–22% tipping—check our State Sales Tax & Tipping Calculator ($).
When is the best time of year to visit San Clemente?
Best time to visit California: Year-round (Apr–Oct best for parks & coast). Check our US Seasonal Travel Calendar to compare month-by-month weather and National Park crowd levels.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: