Randy Lewis

The San Clemente Pier is the major landmark of the town.  It was built in 1928.

 

 

This is the view from our kitchen. The pier is about 500 yards away.

 

 

San Clemente gets some beautiful sunset views.

 

 

The island to the right is Santa Catalina Island.  It's about 26 miles to the west.  The island was famous as being a quick getaway for Hollywood stars of days gone by.  Today, it is a popular tourist spot for shopping, swimming and boating.

 

 

Many San Clemente residences are built on hillsides.  This gives most homes within a mile of the ocean or so an ocean view.

 

Here's an example of a San Clemente home perched high on a hill about a mile from the ocean.

 

San Clemente was founded in 1926.  The former mayor of Seattle, Ole Hanson, bought a large amount of land and even though there were only cattle grazing on the land he thought it was just right for a Spanish town.  This home was built in the 1940s.  Today you can probably buy it for just under one million dollars.  Yes, real estate in San Clemente is a bit pricey.

 

 

The San Clemente Pier is located in the "Pier Bowl" area of San Clemente.  This area is home to surfers and beachgoers throughout the year.

 

 

On any given morning you will find folks sipping their favorite beverage at the Beach Garden Cafe across the street from the pier.

 

 

If you visit San Clemente, a great place to stay is the Hotel Tropicana B&B.

 

To add to the quaintness of San Clemente, Amtrak trains come through from time to time.  Most trains are three to five car commuter trains.  You can even board the train right at the pier.  One of my goals is to take a train from San Clemente to the midwest for a trackchasing trip.

 

 

There are a few large time share condominiums at the Pier Bowl.  We get our share of tourists.  With sunshine nearly every day of the year and high temperatures ranging from 66-77 degrees, it never gets too hot or too cold.

 

 

San Clemente has lots of palm trees.

 

When you drive down this street, you're getting close to our house.  Trackchasers are always welcome.