San Clemente, CA Road Trips
San Clemente, CA serves as a quiet starting point in the Pacific Coast, connecting drivers to 4 outbound routes across the area. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 62-mile quick runs to 417-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from San Clemente, CA head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
6
Longest Drive
432.4 mi
Oakland, CA
Quickest Drive
1h 16m
Los Angeles, CA
Plan Around San Clemente, CA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if San Clemente, CA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From San Clemente, CA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from San Clemente, CA
Driving from San Clemente, CA
Expect an average of 264 miles and about 5h 2m behind the wheel when leaving San Clemente, CA. There is a healthy spread of short hops, medium drives, and longer road trips to pick from. The longest mapped route runs 417 miles (7h 54m), while the shortest is just 62 miles.
Popular Destinations
Top road trip destinations from San Clemente, CA are Fremont, CA (416.9 mi, 7h 54m), San Jose, CA (401.8 mi, 7h 36m), Bakersfield, CA (173.2 mi, 3h 22m), and Los Angeles, CA (62.2 mi, 1h 16m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 264-mile drive from San Clemente, CA, expect to burn about 10.4 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring. Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 4 mapped routes leaving San Clemente, CA and 2 routes heading into San Clemente, CA, covering 6 total connections. Distances range from 62 to 417 miles.
The longest mapped route from San Clemente, CA covers 417 miles and takes approximately 7h 54m. Shorter options start at just 62 miles.
The average route from San Clemente, CA runs about 264 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 2m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from San Clemente, CA include Fremont, CA, San Jose, CA, Bakersfield, CA and Los Angeles, CA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
San Clemente, CA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
63,510
Median Income
$134,735
Median Home Value
$1,220,500
Median Age
44.6
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to San Clemente, CA
San Clemente is a city by the beach in Orange County in Southern California. It is called the "little Spanish village by the sea" because many of the buildings have a rustic and antique Spanish look to them. People from San Clemente pride themselves on the laid-back and closely knit community traditions that are practiced in this small town. Not only does the culture have a great influence on all the people who live there, but anyone who visits is also sure to experience this feeling as well.
1 San Clemente Pier, 611 Avenida Victoria, ☏ +1 949 361-8237. 4AM-10PM daily. The main pier in San Clemente. North of the pier is the surfer's only beach and south of the pier, there are no surfers allowed. (updated Apr 2026) 2 Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, ☏ +1 949 498-2139, [email protected]. 10AM-4PM Tu-Th 10AM-2PM Fr-Su. Closed Monday. Former home of San Clemente founder Ole Hanson. There's usually a good art exhibit going on. Closed President's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day $8 ages 13+. <12 free. Active duty military free. (updated Apr 2026) 3 San Clemente State Beach, ☏ +1 949 492-3156. (updated Nov 2015)
The beach is the largest attraction in San Clemente. Local teens tend to venture north to the Kaleidoscope or the Irvine Spectrum for entertainment, or hang out at the Outlets at San Clemente. Beach Trail. It is easier to exercise when you have a view like this to look at. From Riviera Beach to the pier is one mile, and from the pier to North Beach is one mile. If you’re looking to step up the rigor of your work out, you can run the stairs along the way. Leslie Park, 1910 Calle de Los Alamos. Some inexpensive ways to enjoy what SC has to offer is to check out the scenery. Leslie Park is a small park that overlooks a beach where most locals visit. From this point, you can see all the way down to the edge of State Beach, the Pier, and even down to Dana Point. Stewart Surfboards, 2102 S El Camino Real, ☏ +1 949 492-1085. 9-6 7 days a week. Stewart Surfboards is a fixture in the surfing community, A great place to get started with surfing they offer surf lessons as well as surfboard rentals. Legendary longboard shaper, Bill Stewart creator of the modern longboard still owns and runs the store. (updated Jun 2025)
There are a variety of local restaurants that are fairly priced and simply delicious. 1 Hapa J's, 2016 S El Camino Real, ☏ +1 949 276-6657. Unique cuisine with a Hawaiian influence. Family-owned and affordable. Very tasty "Man Fries" and "Khalua Pig Nachos." (updated Jun 2025) 2 Cafe del Sol, 3817 S El Camino Real, ☏ +1 949 492-7120. Another great place for Mexican food. Very affordable and tasty, and there's a drive-through window for your convenience. 3 Antonio's, 218 S El Camino Real, ☏ +1 949 492-1763. Great breakfasts on Camino Real in the heart of the village. 4 The Fisherman, 611 Avenida Victoria, ☏ +1 949 498-6390. For good seafood in the best location in town on the pier. Expect a bit of a wait in summer. (updated Oct 2015) 5 Iva Lee's, 555 N El Camino Real (El Camino Real just north of Palizada), ☏ +1 949 361-2855. For San Clemente's take on Cajun cuisine. 6 Pedro's, 550 N El Camino Real, ☏ +1 949 498-5908. For the best burritos in town . 7 Nick's, 213 Avenida Del Mar,, ☏ +1 949 481-2200. This is a rather formal restaurant and the prices tend to be high, but there are also items on the menu that are less expensive. 8 Mongkut Thai, 212 Avenida Del Mar. 9 Sonny’s Pizza, 429 N El Camino Real (Corner of Palizada and El Camino Real.), ☏ +1 949 498-2540. 10 Schmid's Fine Chocolates, 99 Avenida Del Mar, ☏ +1 949 369-1052. For dessert, chocolate dipped strawberries or a special treat. 11 South of Nick's, 110 N El Camino Real, ☏ +1 949 481-4545.
1 Blooms Irish Pub, 2391 S El Camino Real, ☏ +1 949 218-0120, [email protected]. 11AM-2PM. Irish pub with a Taco Tuesday special, pool tables, Irish food, and a patio. (updated Apr 2026) 2 Oles Tavern, 127 S El Camino Real, ☏ +1 949 498-9400. 2PM-2AM M-F, 9AM-2AM Sa-Su. Sports bar with pool tables and daily specials. Very picky with checking IDs. (updated Apr 2026) 3 The Cellar, 156 Avenida Del Mar, ☏ +1 949 492-3663. 7AM-3PM Su, 7AM-10PM Tu-Th, 7AM-11PM Fr-Sa. Wine and charcuterie bar featuring seasonal foods. (updated Apr 2026) 4 Goody's Tavern, 206 S El Camino Real, ☏ +1 949 492-3400. 2PM-12AM M, 2PM-2AM Tu-Th, 12PM-2AM Fr, 10AM-2AM Sa-Su. Modest bar on El Camino Real. Daily happy hour, occasional live music, daily specials, and can hold private events. (updated Apr 2026)
1 Beachcomber Inn, 533 Avenida Victoria, ☏ +1 949 492-5457. (updated Oct 2015) 2 Casablanca Inn, 1601 N El Camino Real, ☏ +1 949 361-1644, fax: +1 949 361-3825. 3 Comfort Suites, 3701 S. El Camino Real, ☏ +1 949 361-6600. 4 Holiday Inn Express San Clemente North, 35 Via Pico Plaza. 5 Rodeway Inn San Clemente, 1301 North El Camino Real, ☏ +1 949 361-0636. 6 Hampton Inn and Suites San Clemente, 2481 S.El Camino Real, toll-free: +1-800-308-5306, fax: +1 949 366-1030. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. This hotel has a rather confusing format to it, but the employees are all very friendly and accommodating. It is right next to the San Clemente Golf Course. It has a weight room and a pool. 7 The Volare, Ascend Hotel Collection, 111 S. Ave. De La Estrella, ☏ +1 949 361-3000. 8 Casa Tropicana, 610 Avenida Victoria, at the pier (Avenida Del Mar to the pier), toll-free: +1-800-492-1245. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11:30AM. $225-$475.
San Clemente is located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego on Interstate 5, which has 7 exits in the city. The nearest airport is John Wayne Airport, 25 miles north of San Clemente. Further airports include Los Angeles International Airport and San Diego International. There are two train stations in San Clemente, one at the pier, and one at North Beach. Both 1 San Clemente Pier and 2 San Clemente are served by Metrolink via its Inland Empire - Orange County Line and Orange County Line services between Los Angeles, Oceanside and San Bernardino and cities in between, only on weekends. Additionally, San Clemente Pier is also served by Amtrak and its Pacific Surfliner service, with two trains south in the late morning and two trains north in the early evening daily. One of these trips each way extends to/from the Santa Barbara area. The Pacific Surfliner operates 12 trips daily through the area, but most trains don't stop here.
It is possible to walk around the center of the town although it is a little bit of a slope up from the beach and pier to Avenida Del Mar shopping and restaurant area. There is free 2 hour car parking around the area although close to the beach expect to pay and display. San Clemente provides a daily trolley service from Memorial Day to September and weekend service year-round. The trolley runs between the pier and Outlets at San Clemente, with stops connecting to popular attractions along Avenida Del Mar and El Camino Real. Trolleys arrive at each stop every 15 minutes. The trolley rides are free.
Travel tips adapted from San Clemente on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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