76°
Sunny
2%
84
Orange County, CA · Pacific Ocean
San Clemente State Beach
225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente, CA 92672
A mile of sand at the south end of Orange County — fronted by sandstone bluffs and the historic San Clemente Pier in town. Trestles surf break is just south at the Camp Pendleton edge, world-famous for consistent right-hand point breaks. Family-friendly main beach, surfers further south.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 76°F air · 73°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 0 to 5 mph.
Weather
- 76°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 73°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- NWS alert active — high surf advisory issued july 18 at 4:40am pdt until july 21 at 11:00pm pdt by nws san diego ca
69 /100
good
55 Swim
83 Sunbathe
86 Walk
46 Fish
81 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
High Surf High Surf Advisory
High Surf Advisory issued July 18 at 4:40AM PDT until July 21 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 4 to 7 feet with sets up to 8 feet at south or southwest facing beaches. * WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County Coastal Areas. * WHEN...From 5 PM Sunday to 11 PM PDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...South swell 4 to 5 feet coming from 180 to 200 degrees with a period of 13 seconds will generate high surf, primarily for south-facing beaches. Tides will generally be at or below 5.5 feet, but localized areas of beach erosion and minor tidal overflow may occur when combining with the high surf. Swell and surf will decrease by Wednesday.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
76°F
Sunny
Wind
5 to 10 mph
SW
Rain
2%
This Afternoon
Tomorrow
73°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
2.3 ft
15s · SW swell
Water Quality
Clean
10 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:53 AM
Sunset
10:59 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:10 AM | High | 5.8 ft |
| 6:55 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 1:28 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 7:13 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:01 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 7:31 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 2:13 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 8:24 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:01 AM | High | 4.1 ft |
| 8:06 AM | Low | 1.3 ft |
| 3:02 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 9:54 PM | Low | 1.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:23 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 8:44 AM | Low | 2.0 ft |
| 3:57 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 11:34 PM | Low | 1.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:25 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 9:35 AM | Low | 2.5 ft |
| 4:55 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:49 AM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 7:36 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 10:50 AM | Low | 2.9 ft |
| 5:50 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:41 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 8:38 AM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 12:02 PM | Low | 3.0 ft |
| 6:40 PM | High | 5.6 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 9410170, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
73°
Mostly Sunny
2%
82
74°
Mostly Sunny
3%
83
74°
Mostly Sunny
0%
83
75°
Mostly Sunny
0%
83
75°
Mostly Sunny
4%
83
73°
Mostly Sunny
6%
81
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen clear day + warm temps
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 73°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
1:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Major
6:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Minor
1:10 PM - 2:10 PM
Beach Info
Parking
State park lot at Calafia, paid; free residential street parking up the hill.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the beach. Permitted on the bluff trail (leashed).
Entry Fee
State beach parking $15/day.
Address
225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente, CA 92672
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at San Clemente State Beach today?
San Clemente State Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is San Clemente State Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the beach. Permitted on the bluff trail (leashed).
Is there an entry fee at San Clemente State Beach?
State beach parking $15/day.
Are there lifeguards at San Clemente State Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol San Clemente State Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at San Clemente State Beach?
Amenities at San Clemente State Beach include lifeguards, pier, restrooms, showers, campground, restaurants in town.
When is the water warmest at San Clemente State Beach?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is San Clemente State Beach located?
San Clemente State Beach is in Orange County, CA, at 225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente, CA 92672.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS