San Clemente Homes for Sale


 
Students from San Clemente attend public schools within the Capistrano Unified School District. Five of the district schools have been recipients of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program and 17 schools have been awarded California Distinguished Schools. Throughout the community, private and parochial schools such as St. Michael’s Academy, are also available for all grade levels. For those that are seeking higher educational opportunities, there are a wealth of universities and colleges nearby including Saddleback Community College, Orange Coast Community College, the University of California at Irvine and others.

In addition to excellent schools, San Clemente provides a host of activities for residents and visitors to enjoy. This community has approximately 11 parks that feature amenities such as playground areas and athletic fields. The Parks and Recreation department also oversees several public beaches including North and Califia beaches. San Clemente State Beach has a popular surfer’s spot on the north end of the one-mile beach. In addition to surfing, residents enjoy diving for abalone and spiny lobster, hiking along the trails on the bluffs and camping. Nearby San Onofre and Doheny state beaches offer similar activities.

San Clemente features hundreds of shops including it's own Antique Mecca. Visitors can discover many unrivaled antique stores, unique clothing and gifts, custom jewelry, fragrant oils, designer perfumes, beauty salons and leisure clothing. Approximately 30 miles to the north is the South Coast Plaza, Orange County’s answer to Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive. Millions of visitors each year plan a visit to just walk through the 128 acres of shopping and entertainment. Other shopping venues in the area include the Shops at Mission Viejo, Fashion Island in Newport Beach and the Irvine Spectrum.

Dining in San Clemente offers everything from crisp sunrise breakfasts, to romantic dinners. Accommodations in San Clemente range from hotels and bed & breakfasts overlooking the surf to beach cottages for the entire family.

San Clemente was long admired by passing settlers and explorers. In 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano was established by Father Junipero Serra and both Indian and Spanish settlers set up villages nearby. In 1925, Ole Hanson - the former Mayor of Seattle -- purchased 2,000 acres and began plotting the community. He believed that the climate, beautiful beaches and fertile soil would attract Californians who were tired of the “the big city.” The city took the same name as nearby San Clemente Island, named by the explorer Vizcaino after a patron saint. The area was officially incorporated on February 27, 1928. In 1969, San Clemente received world-wide recognition when President Richard Nixon purchased a Spanish mansion in the southern part of town that was nicknamed the “Western White House.”

San Clemente continues to grow with the several development and residential projects underway. Sunshine 342 days out of the year, excellent schools and a variety of things to do are just some of the many reasons why residents love to call this community home.