Triton Times 2016 SC Best of – Tourists Spots

February 17, 2016

San Clemente is known as the “Spanish Village by the Sea”. It lies right in between San Diego and Los Angeles, which means that tourists are always flowing through this small beach town. Although San Clemente is tiny, there are many attractions for tourists to explore and enjoy. Here are just a few!

With San Clemente being a beach town, it is obviously known for its family friendly beaches, and incredible swells for surfers. The main beach that tourists are lured to is the pier. The San Clemente Pier in 1928 at 1,200 feet, and then was rebuilt in 1939 and then another time in 1983, due to damage from strong storms. The pier is home to the fisherman, a delightful restaurant that is well praised by locals and tourists. The pier is always being filled with kids and fishers. It also happens to be a popular sunset watching spot. San Clemente High School student, Jenna Herz, tells us her experience with the pier.” Its always fun to go on a walk on the pier, after the mad rush of the day is gone and is fading into night time. When there are only a few stragglers are left on the old pier. Its just nice and peaceful and the lights are my favorite thing.”

Another popular tourist stop is Casa Romantica. The Casa Romantica is truly a historical treasure. Built in 1927, by the co-founder of San Clemente, Ole Hanson. He built Casa Romantica as his family home. It is now open, non-profit, to the public to explore the intriguing gardens. Behind the wooden door, holds breath-taking gardens and a spectacular view of the ocean. Filled to the brim with so much culture, it is no wonder why this is such a major attraction to the tourists that come to San Clemente.

A recent addition to the spectacles of San Clemente are the Outlets at San Clemente.Within the outlets are stores such as Vans, Nike, H&M, Daisy Shopped, and Tillys. Not to mention popular dining options like Starbucks, Panera, and U-Swirl. It is debatable whether or not the outlets have improved or taken away from the city’s charm. While it may be nice to have a shopping center closer to San Clemente, other still are to be swayed. San Clemente High School junior, Maya Howie, tells us,San Clemente is a small beach town, it’s not a place for a outlet mall with random stores that do not seem to benefit the community in any way. The outlets created lots of construction, and costed obscene amounts of money. The people in the outlets have one current food choice, Panera, and almost half of the stores and restaurants are not open yet. (temismarketing)

The outlets also have many skateboarders that for now are allowed but the majority of these kids are not watching out for the other pedestrians. The outlets are lame.” Although it’s still unsure whether or not the local are loving the new outlets, it is evident that they are bringing in the tourists.San Clemente has so many places that tourists can visit, but these attractions are the ones that stand out. Tourists are continuously coming through San Clemente, whether it’s the summer time or the winter. These places help bring them into San Clemente. Even if you aren’t a tourist these locations are always worth a visit!