On the way back home from La Jolla, CA, I decided to take a flight detour to listen to the waves and see the San Clemente pier. Upon arriving, the ocean, sky, and pier looked relaxing and beautiful. The sound of the waves was soothing and instantly relaxed me from driving on the freeway I had left only a few minutes earlier. The pier looked especially inviting, as it appeared empty from a distance. With the blue skies, white clouds, and the tan colored sand of the beach below, it was as though I was reading about the pier and ocean in a book. Everything was simply perfect. I love this pier so much, especially on a weekday like this, in which I feel as though I have both the beach and pier to myself. read more

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I love this pier/beach. Parking can get kind of tough, but they do have a decent sized lot. There's a somewhat strong undertow at this beach. They also have the train going by constantly, which is fun to see. read more

Nice, well-maintained pier that's very clean and beautifully kept up. At the entrance, there are two Fisherman restaurants. One primarily serving breakfast and lunch, and the other with more of a bar vibe offering lunch and dinner. About three-quarters of the way down the pier, you'll find restrooms and a snack shack with everything you might need if you're planning to spend the day fishing, including rentals and supplies.Great spot to relax, grab a bite, or enjoy a day out on the water! read more

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My first time at this beach and immediately fell in love with the scenery! I came on Easter and there was barely anyone there. The beach is so clean, parking wasn't too bad, street and public parking available. Barely any trash in the sand. The toilets are right where you enter. The only small issue was the seashells here are thick and chipped or broken into pieces so you gotta watch out and don't get stabbed when walking on the sand. read more

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San Clemente pier is one of the historic landmark in san clemente that it's surrounded with surfing are, restaurants, shopping, and etc and its located near a train station with metered parking...The beach is open from 4am till 10 pm. There are also many chairs, and tables facing the ocean and also many fisher men fishing around. It's cozy and local and not crowded like any other piers...Beautiful walking area and ill say laid pack beach town surrounded with spanish styles buildings...Parking was accessible and and also ADA access and its one of the comfortable access ones and also restrooms in piers...Fisherman's restaurant was both side of pier and there was snack style place all way back on the pier which it was closed...It was promising beautiful afternoon and this is one of places that if i want laze day and not too crowded beachside, this is one of my top choice.... read more

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Amazing! Great sunsets, community, ocean, surf spot, restaurants, nearby shops, free trolley, lots of parking. No animals on pier or beach. Excellent trail along beach that allows animals. Worth the visit! read more

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I love SC's pier. This area feels like a small town and it has my heart. They have two restaurants at the entrance, one on each side that offer seating right at the top of the water where it crashes. Restrooms are available and easily accessible, thank goodness. You can walk pretty far out in the water due to the sand bar which is great. I am not fond of going into beach water that dips down quickly. One side of the pier is reserved for surfers and the other for people wanting to just chill in the water. It's not always on the same side, so you will have to pay attention to the lifeguard signs. This beach has soft sand, yes, however it has a lot of rocks that make uncomfortable to walk on. It's a bit of a downer honestly because I seriously love this place. The water here feels warmer to me and I can tolerate the temperature much better than other beaches. There are two parking lots up the small hill but there isn't a lot of parking there. You'd have to find a place anywhere on the streets. During the summer or busier days, we have had to leave because we couldn't find parking. Once you are able to park though, it's a great place. Across the street from the beach behind the train tracks are other restaurants, dessert and a cafe. So although it's small, I find it a little quaint and it makes me happy. read more

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San Clemente Pier San Diego, CA San Diego has some of the most beautiful piers on the west coast. We visited San Clemente Pier to enjoy the beach and walk the pier. The surrounding area was clean and well maintained with beautiful floral arrangements everywhere. This was a peaceful and pleasant start of the day. read more

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Really one of the best beaches and vibes you can get in Southern California and the pier, though has its squeaks and some of its age from being right by the sea, it remains a favorite place to visit for me all throughout the year. It's fun to take in the fresh scents of the ocean and enjoy watching the seagulls perched on the pier's railings across the walking area. There's also a convenient restroom about halfway down the pier, coming from the shore side. It's fairly clean though. Once you make it to the end of the pier, you can really feel the ocean on your face. And if you're there on a really nice day, it feels amazing. And the walk back is also pretty awesome, too. read more

The most beautiful place to enjoy the ocean in Orange County that I have visited thus far!! There are people fishing, lots of birds flying through the air and gathered at the edges of the pier, body surfers, families with kids, older people, locals, tourists, vendors selling artwork and souvenirs, and even a whole restaurant, not to mention the Metro Link train tracks that pass right beside the beach and the beautiful landscapes with houses and oceanscapes. The air is amazing and it's so good for physical and psychological health! read more

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This is such a beautiful place! I love coming here because there is so much to see. They also have restaurants and quick markets around and the train passes within feet from you. This water is so blue and dreamy, I love it! You have to go. read more

San Clemente Pier - The pier parking - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

The San Clemente Pier is a staple for our town. It's a beautiful beach and fun to walk on the pier for people/nature watching. You can also fish on the pier and they even have 2 sit down style restaurants as well as a snack shop with small gifts for purchase. If you're in town visiting, I highly recommend taking a stop down to the pier. One thing to note is that parking is slim and mostly paid. Or, some people park on Del Mar avenue and take a short walk down to the beach. Please be kind to our beaches! read more

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Very nice beach to spend the day. The water wasn't too far from the parking. Beach was clean. The restrooms on the beach and pier were flushable and clean. Wasn't too crowded. read more

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Always beautiful, clean and relaxed place to come unwind anytime. Usually come after a hard day at work to re-center. read more

San Clemente Pier - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

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A pier isn't really a business, but the area around it is and it's the BEST! There is the beach with gorgeous, newer bathrooms nearby, picnic tables, there are restaurants nearby and so much more. There is also a tiny shack that serves breakfast burritos at the end of the pier. This is a great destination for a day trip or weeklong stay. read more

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Nice place to walk through and enjoy the ocean's horizon. Not much to do on the pier itself though. read more

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Exotic coastal hotels and restaurants are impressive. The pier is long, so you can enjoy the ocean. There are many restaurants close to the ocean at the entrance, and it is the best place to play in the water with your family. It feels cleaner and more organized than other coasts, and there are a lot of lifeguards in the sea, so I feel safe. It seems convenient to get around because the train station is right there. It has a very foreign feel and is very well maintained on the west coast of the United States. I would like to visit again. read more

San Clemente Pier - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

Very beautiful pier, clean, I was very impressed with the craft that went into building. There was a few merle paintings. The train tracks being in the middle was very interesting in a cool way too!! I'm a Carlsbad girl but could definitely see me living in san Clemente' read more

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Just a delightful way to spend some time in San Clemente without throngs of tourists. We came over after breakfast, some errands, and touring the picturesque San Clemente downtown as the morning clouds gave way to a beautiful sunshiny day with a wonderful breeze. The pier goes back to 1928, built as an attraction to get people to come to San Clemente. Today it is an inconic landmark in the entire area. It provides not only spectacular views, but it is an important local fishing location. In addition, it has a superb restaurant which we patronized for lunch. Surfing is allowed on the north side of the pier and it is a common attraction for the visitors. With a length of almost 1,300 feet, the pier is a walker's paradise. Along its length, instructional posters illustrate the extensive fauna of the area. There is ample pay parking in the immediate vicinity of the pier, the Passport App or cash is used to park. read more

San Clemente Pier - View from the restaurant - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Came out when there was a surfing competition going on, so that was cool to see from the pier. It wasn't too crowded when we visited on a Sunday morning but as the day picked up, more people were around and that was our cue to skedaddle. We did manage to have breakfast at the lovely Fisherman's Restaurant and then picked up some caffeine from Bear Coast Coffee. I recommend going to both! A little side note regarding Bear Coast Coffee: it's one of those places where the line forms and goes out the door... so that should tell you what their coffee is like. THE VIBE EVOCATION. Quintessential SoCal vibes. You can't miss it as it smacks you in the face with its (mostly) sunny conditions and relaxed atmosphere. T-shirt, shorts, and flip flops are the norm. However, bring a sweatshirt as it can become randomly cloudy and cold sometimes. The pier is literally steps from the train tracks, so be aware of your surroundings before crossing! THE PARKING AFFAIR. Parking is on the street and metered. There's an open parking lot a short walk away and you also have to pay there too. In either scenario, finding an open spot can be difficult, even in the morning hours. We luckily found a car leaving on the street right next to the restaurant and snatched it quickly. Parking lot and street parking is $1.50/hour from 9AM - 5PM. They also have a trolley service which is free, but you'll need to check the San Clemente website to figure out the run times. THE RETURN QUANDARY. Yeah, I like the area and it'll be fun to go back and see what other kinds of mischief we can get into. By mischief, I mean food. We like food. read more

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Lots of fun memories coming into San Clemente. It's always great to grab an ice cream across the street and walk down to pier or have a nice lunch at Fisherman's. read more

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Visited this charming beach town with a group of ladies last weekend. We had so much fun! Authentic Mexican cuisine, ice cream shops, boutiques, artsy shops, wine tasting. I love everything about this town. True Southern California charm! I will definitely return for more exploring. We took the train from Oceanside CA. I loved the ride. What a fun day! Cheers to the sunshine state and my lovely friends! read more

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Super family friendly place and absolutely loved the experience. There are places for surfing, fishing, body boarding, swimming and all the activities you wanted! We stopped by the restaurant by the ocean and the view is stunning. The food is descent and not too long of a wait. There is also a train coming occasionally, and our toddler loved watching it. At the end we got to grab ice cream and call it a day. Cute little beach town! Bonus: we got to see some dolphins read more

San Clemente Pier - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

Very enjoyable time at the pier! Beautiful at sunset and nice boardwalk with restaurants and benches to look out at sea! Recommend! read more

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The San Clemente beachside vibe is good. We like going here to eat at the pier and just walk. There are a few dining places across the pier. read more

San Clemente Pier - The San Clemente pier - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

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When you want to enjoy a pier that's clean and away from it all come to San Clemente Pier Low key chill spot Less touristy of a area Super recommended if your in the area and want to enjoy the beach sunrise or sunset There is a bathroom super clean Parking is at the meter and free parking after 5 Couple seafood restaurants at the front of the pier Live music saxophone Come check it out and walk the pier read more

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What's not to like? It's such a beautiful area and the pier allows for even more beautiful views. Parking can get a little tight, but walking to the pier is not a problem. When we were there, they were doing some construction, but that actually made the views even nicer because of the additional lights. We got there as the sun was going down, so it was an amazing time. Highly recommended, great for photography! read more

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This place is amazing and breathtaking. Definitely different to other piers I've been to before. They have a restroom towards the end of the pier and a snack shack! The place is well maintained. While we were walking to the pier you can see people surfinf, swimming, fishing, and people just having fun. Words can't express how breathtaking the view was. I hope my pictures do it some justice. read more

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This breathtaking beach, adorned with golden sands and vibrant turquoise waves, serves as the ultimate escape. On the pier, you'll discover two exceptional restaurants, each delivering a distinctive dining experience featuring fresh seafood and awe-inspiring ocean views. read more

Very picturesque with beautiful blue sky and aqua blue water. To the right of the pier is where you may watch the surfers. To the left is area where you may enjoy the sand and water. There is a convenient trolley that takes you around depending on the line you choose. There are quaint cafes across the street that offer variety of food. Right before the pier is the Fisherman's Restaurant that over looks the beach. Three options: Oyster Bar, casual sit-down and the restaurant. read more

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I love eating here overlooking the ocean. Have gone on and off for years. But live in the other side of the Mountain and can't get there anymore. But has been such a great place to eat. read more

Warm surf, great views, and good vibes; San Clemente Pier is so lovely! Located at the heart of everything, the beach and Pier are clean and well-maintained. Parking can be challenging, but persistence pays off. I love watching the surfers and swimmers. They always have a good number of lifeguards on duty, and the lifeguards seem vigilant. We were lucky enough to chill at the beach here and watch the fireworks last 4th of July- even though it was totally packed, I felt super safe due to the heavy police presence and lifeguards. The beach is not dog-friendly, but some people don't adhere to this rule. I've heard the ticket if you get caught is quite expensive. read more

My go-to spot! I love the two large parking lots that are adjacent to the Pier. I also love that they don't start charging for parking until 10 am and that parking is free after 5 pm. I appreciate that the City makes it affordable for people to enjoy the beach and the Pier after non-peak hours without just trying to make a buck. I love strolling the Pier in the early hours of the morning. I love the Christmas tree that they put on the end at the holidays. Love grabbing a cup of tea from Bear Coast Coffee. This is a great place to enjoy some quality outdoor team.. and often a beautiful sunset. 2021: 34/100 read more

Beautiful pier. Lots of scenic spots. The small parking lot has a cheap fee for however many minutes or hours you wanna spend at the pier or beach. read more

Nice pier to looks at views of this area and also to watch surfers catch some awesome waves. It was a good sunny humid day in SC and being out near the water was good. The pier isn't as crowded as other piers in OC area so it was nice to relax and walk on the pier and talk to visitors and fishermen. There's a small snack shop at the end of the pier and it's next to a restroom. Towards the beginning of the pier there are several restaurants as well if you are looking for something to eat. The Amtrack station is also right in front of the pier. Pretty convenient. At the beginning of the pier there is a large lifeguard tower so it's nice to know if you do go swimming there's always someone ready to rescue you if you need help! read more

San Clemente Pier - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

What a beautiful spot, especially as the sun sets! We had to park up the hill a bit as the paid lot was pretty busy, but the walk wasn't bad at all. The pier had a decent amount of people walking back and forth but it never felt uncomfortable. Visiting in December meant that they had stood up a Christmas tree at the end of the pier. Not sure if it lights up at night (I'm guessing it does) but it's probably really pretty. We came near sunset and the golden light was beautiful against the clear, blue, sky and water. The beach itself wasn't too crowded, probably because it was quite chilly. I was surprised at the number of bathrooms available and decently clean as well! Definitely stop under the pier to take some cool photos when the sunsets! read more

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My family goes to San Clemente once a year and has been doing this for the past 10+ years. This beach and pier have to be my absolute favorite. You can fish off this pier if you want, and there's a cute shop down at the end. They also have Fisherman's restaurant, which is one of my family's favorites. You can literally sit on the edge of it with a beautiful view of the beach below. We always stop in here to grab food at least once while we are in town. Taking a stroll down this pier is so relaxing. I believe you aren't supposed to have dogs on it, but I occasionally have seen them. It's absolutely charming and just really pleasant. San Clemente also has some of the most beautiful sunsets and if you get the opportunity to watch a sunset from this pier, absolutely do it. You can also watch all the surfers below as well. I also love that this pier isn't insanely busy either. It doesn't have a million people up and down it. San Clemente is definitely not super touristy and just has that beach-town vibe. read more

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Gorgeous place to stop by for a meal or just to get in a good view of the ocean! We found metered parking on the street nearby on a weekday but I'm sure on the weekends that could be a hassle. The pier does not have their own lot. Overall it's definitely worth a stop if you're in the area! read more

San Clemente Pier - Beaches Near Me - San Clemente, California

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nice place. you can do fishing and strolling here. easy to find parking spaces, di not forget to pay at the machine. can play around the beach as well. so peaceful... read more

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I love this pier and come here whenever I am in the area. Today we brought my daughter who's visiting from NYC. She totally digs it!! read more

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