When the weekend crowds start packing into La Jolla, some prefer to take a trip a bit further, or explore something new. Just a quick 45-minute drive up the I-5, there is a sleepy, stunning surf town that feels like you’re right on the Mediterranean coast. However, it gets better – you can skip the traffic altogether, and simply hop on the Pacific Surfliner to get there! Welcome to San Clemente, officially nicknamed the “Spanish Village by the Sea.”
San Clemente, a local gem that you simply can’t miss
Founded in the 1920s with a strict mandate that its buildings reflect Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, this coastal spot is a visual masterpiece. Instead of glass condos or crowded boardwalks, the oceanfront is dotted with white walls, red clay-tiled roofs, and stunning bougainvillea.
If you’re looking for a highly aesthetic, low-stress weekend escape that doesn’t require much planning – no flights or hotels – this is it.
Plan a perfect day
As you step off the Amtrak, start your day walking down Avenida Del Mar, a super charming downtown strip packed with independent boutiques, wine bars, and local coffee shops. From there, you can wander over to Casa Romantica, a historic 1920s estate with breathtaking oceanfront gardens and classic Californian history.
But the real reason locals ditch major coastlines for this quiet oasis is the San Clemente Pedestrian Beach Trail. Unlike the paved boardwalks further south, this pristine 2.3-mile path runs directly parallel to the crashing waves – and the Amtrak! It’s super chill, highly photogenic, and the perfect spot to watch the surfers…all without fighting for a patch of sand.
It’s the ultimate European-style daycation, right in our backyard. And as everyone who rode the Pacific Surfliner knows…the (gorgeous) trip is part of the experience.
