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About San Clemente Pier City Beach in San Clemente, California

San Clemente Pier Beach is the main city beach of San Clemente, California and it’s a popular place. On sunny days this place will be packed with people sunbathing, surfing and walking the shore. Restaurants are plentiful so you can spend all day and stay for sunset.

This family-friendly beach is a wide sandy spot on both sides of the pier between T-Street Beach and the beach access at Linda Lane Park. Although the Amtrak railroad tracks run right behind the beach, it is a pleasant setting with palm trees and grassy areas near the pier entrance.

The downtown area near the pier is called Pier Bowl. If you walk out on the 1296 foot long wooden fishing pier and look back at the city, you’ll see it’s bowl shaped. The city’s waterfront is a beautiful place with red roofs, white facades, and palm trees dominating the view.

The San Clemente Coastal Trail runs north and south from here to access all the beaches between San Clemente State Beach and North Beach (2.5 miles end to end). This packed dirt trail is ideal for walking, but it’s also open to bikes. Bike rentals are available near the north end at Bicycles San Clemente (1900 N El Camino Real).

For parking at San Clemente Pier Beach look a large parking lot at Parque del Mar City Park (fee hours are 9am to 10pm). Metered street parking is available in the area when the lot fills up. Note that beach closing hours recently changed from midnight to 10pm (the pier and businesses on the pier can be open later).

The Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar serves delicious seafood and drinks at its location on both sides of the pier at the pier entrance. Many more options are on Avenida Victoria behind the beach including coffee, pizza, and sweet treats like crepes and gelato.

Address
100 S Alameda Ln
San Clemente, CA 92672
Park Name
Parque del Mar
Other Names
Pier Bowl
Owner
City Beach
Pet Details
No dogs allowed on the beach
Fees
Fees for parking in lots, metered street spots
Activities
Surfing, Swimming, Walking, Running, Sunbathing, Fishing, Beach Walking
Amenities
Fishing Pier, Grass Park, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Showers, Restaurants, Shops, Hotels, Trail, ADA Access
Map of San Clemente Pier City Beach
loader-image
San Clemente, US
2:46 am, Nov 20, 2025
weather icon 54°F
L: 51° H: 55°
few clouds
Humidity: 85 %
Pressure: 1017 mb
1 m/s NNE
Wind Gust: 2 m/s
UV Index: 0
Precipitation: 0 inch
Clouds: 21%
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 6:27 am
Sunset: 4:45 pm

Nearby Attractions

Nearby Lodging

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Reviews

3.7
3 review(s)
Excellent67%
Very good0%
Average0%
Poor0%
Terrible33%
July 13, 2025

There is no sand castle competition in San Clemente in July. Ocean Festival does not have the professional sand sculptures, which is what I was looking for, there is a little area for kids to build castles. What a disappointment.

Mary
June 12, 2023

San Clemente’s beaches now close at 10pm. Just FYI.

Jami
April 29, 2023

Land around Casa Romantica near San Clemente Pier is slowly sliding down the hill toward the ocean. The train tracks are closed but the beach is still open. Hopefully they’ll stabilize the hillside soon. This is definitely one of the beast beaches in south Orange County.

https://apnews.com/article/san-clemente-landslide-california-casa-romantica-35e88e55f6376b23d009ad93d4c70871

Linda