We our driving in from AZ on Friday morning and only staying until Sunday morning, but would love some recommendations. Our son is 11, and will have his boogie board & skim board with him. We prefer casual dining, but love to check out local spots. Any recommendations are appreciated!
ssshhhhhh on San Clemente, we like to send the tourists to Huntington Beach. San Clemente has the best beach for boogie boarding, just the right bottom slope. We like to eat at the places on the pier around sunset, just fabulous views, almost like Hawaii. Also there is a block of good restaurnats on Avenida Del Mar, Avilas El Ranchito, Beach Fire and a bunch more.
If you have time you might try the dolphin excusrion outa Dana Point Harbor, or if you really want to have fun do a half day fishing trip.
Definitely do a sunset dinner at the Fishermans on the pier.Actually any time of day is good to go there.
www.thefishermansrestaurant.com
Several restaurants on Del Mar,Beachfire is good.Same owners have the Irons in the Fire restaurant at the municipal golf course.We go there for family breakfast get togethers,very good.
About two blocks south of Del Mar at the corner of El Camino Real is a locals taco shop called La Tiendita.Their breakfast plates are huge,if you like a mexican breakfast.,and cheap,like 4.50.
If you enjoy walking, the San Clemente beach trail is great.Runs for several miles from North beach down to the state park. If you walk further past that on the beach,you will walk by President Nixons western white house,and the epic surf beach called Trestles is just south of that.
Back at North beach,at the train depot,a bike rental place just opened up a couple weeks ago.You can ride portions of the beach trail(need to walk the bridge and near the pier) or head the other way,and ride to Dana Point Harbor.
Dana Point Harbor ,as mentioned ,is the home of Capt Daves Dolphin Safari.
At the harbor also check out the Ocean Institute,a learning facility for school age kids.Tidepools are right behind the building.
San Clemente is our favorite surf/boogie board beach. We tend to stay on the north side of the pier but either side has great waves.
On Del Mar, Selmas has great deep dish pizza and there is a great breakfast spot called Cafe Calypso - it's on the front courtyard of the Old Hotel on Del Mar. You can park either at the pier or at Linda Lane for easy beach access.
On El Camino Real great burgers at either Biggies or Mr. Pete's.
Enjoy San Clemente ... great town.
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