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San Clemente State Beach
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,639 Google reviews · Running trail in San Clemente, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from San Clemente State Beach'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.
State park featuring a mile-long beach, picnic areas & campsites, plus biking & hiking trails.
What runners say about San Clemente State Beach
“Love love love Love their clean surroundings This place is a gem This is a state beach so it’s pristine clean The campground is organize Love love love the park ranger.”
“Beautiful beach and cliffs offer ample opportunities for exploration for all ages.”
One of the best camping site with full RV hookups and awesome view of the Pacific Ocean!!! Very dark evenings allowing for perfect view of all the constellations..on full moons, its so bright you don’t need a flash light to hike to the beach.
Pretty cool camp ground. With a short walk down to beach. Although the walk could be somewhat hard for some people, and definitely not wheelchair accessible due to the fact that it's a bit of a decline walking path down, which ends at the metrolink train track which you have to cross to get to the beach.
Large park with long pull through spots. We were here for a full week so we got to experience everything the park has to offer. The sites are all decent sized but some offer a little more privacy thanks to the shrubbery planted between the sites.
Beautiful & clean! We camped here for 4 days & 3 nights. The view is remarkable. There's is a path that takes you right down to the ocean. It is a VERY steep path! It was a little tricky getting down & especially so coming back up! The campsite is clean with a fire pit and covered picnic bench at each site.
Trail conditions & character
“Nice state park and campground on a bluff with a lot of views of the Pacific, especially from the premium sites.”
“The restrooms and showers pretty well maintained but I have seen shortages of toilet paper from time to time.”
“The beach itself is a 15-20 min walk down a fairly steep hill.”
Plan your run at San Clemente State Beach
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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 trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteparks.ca.gov
- Phone+1 949-492-3156
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–10 pm |
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.
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