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San Clemente Beach Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 503 Google reviews · Running trail in San Clemente, California · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from San Clemente Beach Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about San Clemente Beach Trail
“The trail is well kept and we had a wonderful afternoon here.”
“A one-of-a-kind gorgeous walking trail that runs parallel in both directions to the beautiful darker turquoise ocean waters.”
“Great trail for bike walk or jog.”
“Nice, peaceful, quiet and not too crowded coming from beaches in San Diego.”
Me and my family had a great time here, parking took awhile but it was worth it. 2 hours was roughly $2.50 I believe. Had a restaurant right on the trail which was super cool we got an açaí bowl, it was good. Lots of surfers which was fun seeing them shred. Definitely recommend stopping by!
Great trail for bike walk or jog. Incredible ocean views with wide and well maintained trails. A mix of gravel, wood and pavement this beachside trail is ideal for families or couples. We rented bikes right off the trail head for reasonable prices and found parking very accessible.
A one-of-a-kind gorgeous walking trail that runs parallel in both directions to the beautiful darker turquoise ocean waters. Truly lovely landscaping, very thoughtful addition of amenities (restrooms, pet stations, restaurants) and many magnificent residential structures aligning the often sheer cliff sides of the…
Easy trail. Very nice view of the ocean as well as the wild flowers along the walk way. Stairs can be climbed if you want to do a quick cardio run too. If you do not want to pay for parking, you can park for free at Pico Park and then walk all the way to the Amtrak Station to access the San Clemente Beach Trail.
Trail conditions & character
“A one-of-a-kind gorgeous walking trail that runs parallel in both directions to the beautiful darker turquoise ocean waters.”
“If you do not want to pay for parking, you can park for free at Pico Park and then walk all the way to the Amtrak Station to access the San Clemente Beach Trail.”
“Nice, peaceful, quiet and not too crowded coming from beaches in San Diego.”
Plan your run at San Clemente Beach Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitesanclementeguide.com
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near San Clemente
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Linda Lane Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 786 reviews
City park featuring a fish-themed playground, green spaces, seating areas & more.
Bonito Canyon Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 41 reviews
Calafia Beach Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,774 reviews
Picturesque beachfront park providing swimming, surfing & open recreational space with bluff views.
San Clemente Walking Trail
4.2 ★★★★☆ 5 reviews
Pico Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 113 reviews
Basketball court in an informal park with a playscape, BBQ grills, picnic tables and ocean views.
San Clemente State Beach
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,639 reviews
State park featuring a mile-long beach, picnic areas & campsites, plus biking & hiking trails.