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Experience the Charm and Beauty that is San Clemente

San Clemente has earned a well deserved reputation as the resort beach town in Orange County. Long, white sandy strands invite you to take slow sunset strolls. But beautiful beaches and 342 days of sunshine a year are only part of the appeal that makes people want to call San Clemente a destination when they visit Southern California.

Photo credit: Don Kindred

Casa Romantica features extraordinary gardens and fascinating exhibits.

The San Clemente Inn offers ideal family accommodations, including spacious suites, kitchenettes, a large, inviting pool and two spas.

Long stretches of beach and great waves draw surfers and sun worshippers to San Clemente.

Ole Hanson�s, San Clemente founder, vision of red tiled, white homes overlooking the ocean and pier, are still here today. Photo credit: Don Kindred

Avenida Del Mar offers gift shops, art galleries, clothing boutiques, bistros, cafes and fine dining, bookstores, a weekly farmers market, and more.

San Clemente is experiencing a quiet renaissance. Newcomers and long-time residents alike are taking care to preserve and revitalize the timeless charm that makes San Clemente such an attractive place to visit. You are personally invited to experience life at a slower, more considered pace - which is exactly what Ole Hanson had in mind when he founded San Clemente in 1925.

Ole wrote, �I envision a place where people can live together more pleasantly than in any other place in America.� San Clemente still embodies this vision today. Ole went on to say, �The whole picture is very clear before me. I can see hundreds of white-walled homes, bonneted with red tile, with trees, shrubs, hedges of hibiscus, palms and geraniums lining the drives, and a profusion of flowers framing the patios and gardens. I want playgrounds, schools, swimming pools, a golf course, a fishing pier and a beach enlivened by people getting a healthy joy out of their life.� Come to San Clemente and you�ll see Ole�s dream, alive today.

Avenida Del Mar

The heart of Ole�s �Spanish Village by the Sea� beats true. The downtown, with its antique shops, boutiques, art galleries and outdoor cafes is San Clemente�s cultural soul. Friends and neighbors stop to chat as they stroll along the palm-lined sidewalks of Avenida Del Mar, a charming paradise. Gift and jewelry shops, bookstores, clothing boutiques and surf shops offer enough variety to please even the most discriminating shopper. The weekly farmers market and monthly crafts fair draw residents and visitors from all over. Great events and wonderful people are what San Clemente is all about.

At the water�s edge, you�ll find the crown jewel of Avenida Del Mar, the San Clemente Pier. Surrounded by hotels, outdoor cafes and bistros, the Pier has lured locals and fishermen since 1928. It is also the gathering place for some of San Clemente�s best-loved traditions like the annual Clam Chowder Cook-off and the Ocean Festival (see sidebar for a listing of San Clemente summer events).

Casa Romantica

The newly remodeled Casa Romantica is a cultural, educational and social center. Stroll the beautiful gardens and view exhibits. Running through July 10 is Recover: The World Trade Center Recovery Operation, an exhibit that documents the monumental effort to locate personal objects and material evidence from the wreckage of the Twin Towers. Beginning August 8 through September 18 is The Way We Were: A San Clemente Retrospective. In partnership with the San Clemente Historical Society, this photographic exhibition profiles early life in the Spanish Village by the Sea. Next, from September 27 through October 30 is A Journey Shared: Photographs by Horace Bristol. This exhibition explores the enigmatic relationship between novelist John Steinbeck and photographer Horace Bristol through 38 prints that served as the inspiration for The Grapes of Wrath.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is located at 415 Avenida Granada in San Clemente. Its hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $3 adult. For further information, visit www.casaromantica.org or call 949.498.2139.

Welcome�s Best Bets -

San Clemente Inn and Casa Tropicana Spa & Inn

Come to San Clemente and stay the night, or better yet, stay the weekend or even the week! Hotels, bed and breakfasts, and inns dot the coastline, providing spectacular views, rooms and suites, beautiful pools and spas, a variety of dining options, and more. Visit www.sanclemente.com for a complete listing of San Clemente�s overnight accommodations. In the meantime, Welcome Magazine has a couple of recommendations for you to consider.

If you�re looking for family style accommodations, check out the San Clemente Inn Resort & Conference Center. With 97 spacious suites, equipped with galley kitchenettes and full-size refrigerators, this is a great spot for families who may want to be able to �eat in� as needed. Beautiful grounds surround a large outdoor heated pool and two spas, shuffleboard and much more. The San Clemente Inn is the perfect place to unwind at the end of a busy day of sightseeing.

Take a short walk through the San Clemente State Park and you�ll find yourself at a ten-mile stretch of the most beautiful beach anywhere. You�ll also discover many choices for fine dining with breathtaking ocean views in the quaint �Spanish Village by the Sea.�

The San Clemente Inn Resort & Conference Center�s convenient location, halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, allows easy access to the best of what Southern California has to offer. Visit www.sanclementeinn.com for more information about this resort.

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the San Clemente Pier, Casa Tropicana Spa & Inn holds the promise of adventure, sun, sand, and surf. With a five mile stretch of sandy beaches and the vast, blue ocean, you will feel you are in a secluded paradise.

As you enter this unique Spa & Inn, you can�t help but notice its hip and stylish atmosphere, and feel its soothing tranquility. Guests may choose from one of Casa Tropicana�s eight Casitas, each imbued with the natural beauty of the ocean. Luxurious linens and custom accessories complement the original art provided by Gallery 104, a local art gallery.

While staying at Casa Tropicana, be sure to indulge yourself in its brand new Day Spa. There are two massage therapy/body treatment rooms, including one for couples, and an esthetician studio. Top of the line spa products are offered, and a signature selection of teas, developed with the help of San Clemente�s Lavender Lounge Tea Company, is also available to guests. Located in Casa Tropicana is White Horses, a fine dining restaurant, very popular with local residents.

Casa Tropicana Spa & Inn is California�s answer for that special place to escape for an relaxing, romantic getaway with that special someone. For more information or reservations, call 949.492.1234.

Surfing - A Rich History

Surfing has long been synonymous with Southern California. And San Clemente is one of the top spots for waves. Surfers come from miles around to surf these beautiful beaches.

Although no one knows for sure exactly where and when stand-up surfing began, there is no doubt that over the centuries the ancient sport of �he�e nalu� (wave-sliding) was perfected by the Kings and Queens, along with the men and women, of the Sandwich Isles. The Islands� geographical position brought the great waves of the Pacific in all shapes and sizes.

He�enalu is a Hawaiian term adopted by ancient poets to describe their spectacular sport of surfing. This popular form of recreation is rich in what Hawaiians call kaona, or hidden meaning. The first half, �he�e,� can mean for instance, �to change from a solid to a liquid form,� or �to run as a liquid.� The second part, �nalu� can refer to the surfing motion of a wave or the foaming of a wave, hence he�enalu, wave-sliding.

At certain times of the year, the sport is an irresistible temptation to the surfer, invoking a state of what Hawaiians refer to as Hopupu (hoe-poo-poo), the state of being �stoked,� surf lingo for totally happy. Surf history tells us that November was a month of rough seas and high surf that lured men to the sea coast. For expert surfers going upland to farm, if part way up, they looked back and saw rollers combing the beach, they left their work, hurried home, picked up their board and went to the beach. All thought of work was gone, only that of surfing was left. The wife may go hungry, the children, the whole family, but the head of the house did not care. He is all for sport, that is his food. All day there is nothing but surfing. Many go out surfing as early as four a.m. - men, women, and children. This custom remains popular today. Just ask any employer or contractor who has surfers for employees.

For surf wear, gear and equipment, San Clemente offers Rocky�s Surf City, located at 100 S. El Camino Real, (949.361.2946) and Stewart Surfboards, at 2102 S. El Camino Real (949.492.1085).

Visit Talega -

A Golf Destination

Talega is a community of exceptional new homes in the hills of San Clemente that typifies luxurious, coastal living. Just minutes from Talega�s stunning portico and palm-lined entry is Talega�s Fred Couples �Signature� championship golf course - 18 holes of gorgeous Orange County real estate that meander through an oak-filled canyon, a rugged marsh and a series of lakes. Co-designed by noted golf course architect Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley Design, Inc., Talega was nominated �Best New Public Course� for 2001 by Golf Digest.

Considered one of the best daily fee courses in Orange County, the Talega Club is a perfect blend of challenge and forgiveness. With four tee boxes to choose from and total yardages ranging from 5,569 to 6,951 years, golfers of all abilities are sure to have an enjoyable round. And there�s always the relaxing elegance of the magnificent Spanish Colonial clubhouse to look forward to before you head for home. For tee times and rates, call owner and manager, Heritage Golf Group at 949.369.6226.

Quick and Easy Access -

Freeways, Metrolink & Airports

San Clemente is conveniently located off the I -5 Freeway. Easy access to and from other Southern California destinations is made possible by the nearby San Joaquin Transportation Corridor, also know as the 73 Tollroad.

Don�t feel like driving? Visitors can ride the rails of Metrolink. Traveling at an average speed of 50 miles per hour, Metrolink�s Orange County train service runs from Oceanside through Orange County to Los Angeles� Union Station, and stops at ten train stations along the way, including San Clemente. Rail service also takes visitors from San Clemente to local amusement parks, museums, shopping centers and more. How much easier can it get?! For schedules and fares, visit www.metrolinktrains.com. You can even download the schedule to your PDA.

San Clemente is just 30 minutes from John Wayne Airport in Newport Beach and less than an hour from San Diego International Airport. The Shops at Mission Viejo are only 20 minutes from San Clemente, while the Irvine Spectrum, a shopping, dining and entertainment destination, is less than half an hour away. Just over a 30-minute drive north are the well-known Orange County Performing Arts Center and the popular South Coast Plaza, known for its diverse collection of upscale department stores, novelty shops, restaurants and theaters.

We hope you�ve enjoyed our visit to the beautiful and charming town of San Clemente. For more information, visit sanclemente.com. The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce also offers a Visitors Guide, and an Area Dining Guide to further acquaint you with this breathtaking town.

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San Clemente Summer Events

July 3 - The San Clemente Village Art Fair

Stroll and shop Avenida Del Mar where more than 60 vendors will have arts, crafts and other fabulous items, from

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (949.218.5378)

July 4 - Fireworks Show

Held at the San Clemente Pier each year, this event begins at dusk and is free to the public. A true �community and

family� event, grab a spot early down on the beach for the best Fireworks Show in Orange County!

Summer Concert Series, July 7 - 28

�Bringing the Bands to the Sand� with a different genre each week. Join the community of San Clemente on the beach, north of the Pier, to celebrate and support live music with the sunset as your backdrop and free seating in the sand! 6 p.m. - 8 p.m

July 7 - Rock �n Roll July 14 - Blues July 21 - 80s Music July 28 - Reggae

July 16 & 17 - Ocean Festival

This is a fun, family event, with beach and water activities for everyone. Waterman and Waterwoman Competitions, open water swim, children�s events, sand castle competition, ocean art show, wood car exhibit, pancake breakfast prepared by our city lifeguards, children�s pavilion, free clinics for bodysurfing and body boarding and MORE!! (949.440.6141)

July 30 & 31 - Relay for Life

San Clemente Relay for Life takes place from 10 am Saturday, July 30 to 10am Sunday, July 31. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life� is an overnight team event that raises awareness of cancer, celebrates survivors, remembers those lost to the disease, and raises funds to fight cancer through research, education, advocacy and patient services. Richard Steed Memorial Park, 200 Ave. La Pata. (949.310.5405)

August 7 - The San Clemente Village Art Fair

Presented by the Downtown Business Association, stroll and shop Ave Del Mar where more than 60 vendors will have arts, crafts and other fabulous items. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (949.218.5378)

August 14 - San Clemente Street Faire and Fiesta

Takes place on Avenida Del Mar with continuous entertainment on three stages. Food booths, contests and games

provided by non-profit organizations. No admission charge. (949.492.1131)

August 20 & 21 - Arts and Crafts Fair

In partnership with the City of San Clemente, the San Clemente Arts & Crafts Club presents this annual event. View over 100 exhibit booths of paintings and crafts on the lawn of the Community Center. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days and free

to the public.

August 26 & 27 - Waterman�s Ball and Golf Tournament

The Surf Industry Manufacturer�s Association (SIMA) Environmental Fund is a charitable foundation formed by the surf industry to provide support in the form of grants to environmental organizations. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Surfrider Foundation. Held at St Regis Monarch Beach Resort and Spa, the weekend kicks-off with the 5th Annual Waterman�s Classic Golf Tournament and Luau on Friday. Surf industry business leaders will tee-up on the Monarch Beach Links for a day on the course with celebrity players. Then on Saturday, surf industry leaders and friends of the environment will attend the 16th Annual Waterman�s Ball and Auction. The silent and live auctions will feature a wide array of items celebrating the surfing lifestyle that you won�t want to miss. (949.366.1164)

September 4 - The San Clemente Village Art Fair

Presented by the Downtown Business Association, stroll and shop Ave Del Mar where more than 60 vendors will have arts, crafts and other fabulous items. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (949.218.5378)

September 10 - Authenic Hawaiian Luau

The Knights of Columbus presents an Authentic Hawaiian Luau from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Hall, 105 La Esperanza. Enjoy a Polynesian show with live music and an outstanding Hawaiian buffet. Adults $35, children $15. (949.248.3325 or Jim at jimmosich@hotmail.com)