San Clemente

San Clemente is known by residents as the “Spanish Village by the Sea,” a slogan which commemorates the vision of San Clemente founder, Ole Hanson. Since its incorporation in 1928, San Clemente has held onto its small-town charm. Original red-roofed, white-walled Spanish architecture remains the standard, covering 18.45 square miles of pristine coastlines, rolling hills, and heterogeneous neighborhoods. And despite San Clemente’s growth over the years, a relatively big city exudes the vibes of a small hometown.

There is a reason why locals hold San Clemente spirit and Spanish Revival style in such high regard. A sense of community was built into city planning. Before a single structure was erected, Ole Hanson laid out a city plan including restaurants, residences, public parks, equestrian trails, a clubhouse, a fishing pier, and public pools. As one of the first master-planned communities built from totally open land in the United States, the San Clemente retains a unique quality because of its unique development.

 As San Clemente has grown, residents increasingly look to the city’s rich history to anchor their sense of local identity. Today San Clemente is home to over 66,000 local residents and 27,000 housing units. But the San Clementean is a person who values community above all else.

Outside city limits, San Clemente is perhaps better known as the “World’s Best Climate.” Midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, San Clemente boasts nearly 300 days of sunshine per year and an average annual temperature of 73°F. Inside the surfing world, the city’s many renowned surf breaks (Trestles) have earned it a top spot on the list of the “Best Surf Towns.” From Middles to Lowers to Uppers to Cottons, San Clemente surf draws international crowds and competitions.

 San Clemente Snapshot:

Here is a snapshot of the City of San Clemente, including demographic and statistical information from the 2017 Orange County Progress Report and prepared by the Center for Demographic Research. For more information click here.