San Juan Capistrano

When you think Orange County surfing, you think Trestles. These secluded yet world-famous collection of surf breaks make up the surfing hot-spots most commonly associated with the Little Spanish Village by the Sea, or San Clemente, California. In fact, each year over 400,000 out of town surfers make a pilgrimage to the Trestles.

There are 3 beaches that make up the Trestles...Upper Trestles, Middle Trestles and Lower Trestles. All 3 beaches have excellent surf breaks able to absorb swells from almost 220º of the Pacific Ocean, including a strong year-round southern swell window that formulates the core of Trestles surfing. Lower Trestles, or Lowers, is said to have the best and most reliable wave quality (it's also the busiest), while Upper and

Planning a visit to San Clemente, California? Maybe you're thinking of moving to the Little Spanish Village by the Sea, but you'd like to make sure you won't be bored in your luxury? Well, look no further...Below you'll find 5 landmarks that you won't want to miss on your way through San Clemente.

San Clemente Pier

This beautiful wooden pier extends almost 1300 feet out into the ocean, and offers some of the best non-private ocean views in all of San Clemente. It's definitely worth a day trip to the surrounding beach and pier, and there's lots of restaurants and other entertainment available. Walking all the way out into the ocean never loses it's thrill. Plus, there's free fishing!

Trestles Beach

This is the best surfing spot in San

Many people move to southern Orange County because of the delightful weather and all the amenities that are available.  Fortunately, Orange County has an abundance of one especially important amenity; it has a number of excellent restaurants offering a variety of different cuisines.  In spite of the fact that we have been in a recessional period, Americans still like to dine out.  Some say dining out has replaced baseball as our “national pastime!”  So take heart all you people moving to southern California.   You won’t be disappointed with the quality and variety of eateries available.

Almost any type of specialty or international cuisine can be found in southern Orange County.  There are restaurants offering American cuisine, French,

Residents of San Clemente and the surrounding towns in southern Orange County enjoy an array of fine shopping options.  One of the most popular destinations for the savvy shopper is the Baccarat-South Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Mesa.  This huge mall contains over two hundred and fifty stores and almost forty eateries.  The mall occupies over 2.8 million square feet making it one of the largest malls in the United States.  South Coast Plaza is an upscale mall that features above average design features.  The floors are covered with Italian marble, there is a travertine border surrounding the many fountains, chandeliers in the shape of pyramids are hung throughout, and there are garden-edged walkways to enhance the feeling of elegance. 

South

Mission San Juan Capistrano is a beautiful old mission in southern California.  It was built in 1775, the fifth of twenty-one missions that were built in the state. Spanish settlers and priests, under the auspices of the Catholic Church, built the missions.  Where as the British brought people from the motherland to colonize the “New World,” the Spanish plan was to make good citizens of the indigenous peoples of the New World – the Native Americans.  Part of making a good citizen was to convert the Native American population to Catholicism. This is where the system of missions came in.  Native Americans came to live in the mission while they learned about Catholicism and other traits the Spanish considered necessary for good citizens.  By

San Clemente is a family oriented community that values its children and its schools.  The public school district that service the San Clemente area is the Capistrano Unified School District. The Capistrano Unified School District provides the majority of public school services in the San Clemente area. This district encompasses a large area.  It serves San Clemente and seven other cities in Orange County.  The total student enrollment of the Capistrano Unified School District is 31,130 students.  The district endeavors to maintain high academic standards for all of its students. San Clemente is a high socio-economic area, and parents are vocal about expecting their children to receive a quality education. 

San Clemente Public Schools consist

The 2012 Swallows' Day Parade will be held on Saturday, March 24th. The Parade is part of the Fiesta de la Golondrinas celebrating the legend of the return of the swallows to the San Juan Capistrano Mission on St. Joseph's Day, March 19th. The theme for this year's 54th Swallows' Day Parade is 'How the West was Fun'!

The Swallows' Day Parade is the nation's largest non-motorized parade. It is organized and presented by the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association and takes place right in down-town San Juan Capistrano.

View the Parade Brochure.

The Parade and Mercado can be a full day of family fun, celebrating the Old West and the return of the swallows from their winter home in Argentina. Arrive early, as most street closures are in effect

Make sure to visit San Clemente and enjoy the 17th annual car show on Avenida Del Mar in downtown San Clemente (map) on Sunday, June 10, 2012.  Stroll the street amongst quality show cars from classics to the exotic. The event generally draws over 300 cars, and includes a variety of vendors, entertainment and exhibits. Bring the whole family, and take time to shop or browse Del Mar stores which are also open. A Free shuttle service will be offered from San Clemente High School.

Based on past Car Shows, there will be Woodies, Hot Rods, Tricked-out trucks, vintage cars, muscle cars, antique cars and more!

San Clemente Car Show (map)

• Sunday, June 10, 2012
• 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
• FREE admission
• Food and Vendors

The Assistance League of Capistrano Valley will host its sixth annual Christmas Home Tour Sunday, December 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with stops at four area homes.

Proceeds support the charity's work with Capistrano Unified Schools and Camp Pendleton Marine families. The homes feature food from the Cellar, Hapa J's, Sunsets at the Pier, Simply Fondue, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Gourmet Blends and Sundried Tomato.

Advance tickets are $30 before November 28 and $35 after. For more information, call 949.291.8408 or visit www.capistranovalley.assistanceleague.org.

If Halloween rates high on your list of special holidays, there are numerous haunted houses, mazes, community hikes and tours in and around San Clemente to keep you busy!

Knott’s Halloween Haunt

The 39th annual haunt features scare zones, shows and live-action mazes including the Big Top of the Bizarre, Delirium, the Doll Factory, the Slaughterhouse, Dia de Los Muertos 3D, Virus Z and more. There also will be seven new live shows and hundreds of free-roaming monsters. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays Sept. 23-Oct. 31. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. $34-$51 presale; $57 day-of-event. 714-220-5200. haunt.knotts.com

Sinister Pointe

An independent haunted