Central San Clemente
Neighborhood in San Clemente, California
Orange County 92672
Downtown San Clemente shops and restaurants
Central San Clemente’s downtown is concentrated around Avenida Del Mar, a walkable retail district lined with local restaurants. “There are a lot of good options honestly, which makes it so fun to be down here. We walk there from our office every day,” Wach says. Dining spots range from South of Nick’s, an upscale Mexican restaurant, to Pronto Cucina Italia, an authentic Italian deli and bakery. Vine Restaurant & Bar provides an elegant wine bar setting, known for bringing in regulars. “I would say Vine is the local quaint restaurant. It has a ‘Cheers’ feeling,” says Realtor Katrina Crane, who works with Luxre Realty and has over a decade of experience in the area. The locally owned shops include Beach Town Books, which has new and used books, and the boutique Daisy Lane. Less than a mile west of the retail district, Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is one of the city’s main attractions, with tours of a grand estate, once the home of San Clemente’s founder Ole Hanson. The closest supermarket is Ralphs, which borders the area’s east side.
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Condos, Mediterranean homes and contemporary homes
With downtown as its centerpiece, Central San Clemente is otherwise residential, made up of winding streets lined with tall palm trees, condos and single-family homes. Much of the housing has ocean scenery, including whitewater views near the west side beachfront to panoramic overlooks from the tops of east side hills. The houses near downtown often don’t have front yards or only have space for boxwood hedges, while homes farther away come with lawns big enough for garden beds, often landscaped with agave plants and flowering frangipani bushes. The architecture for single-family homes includes Mediterranean, contemporary and ranch styles. Condos range from $1.2 million to $4.8 million, while single-family homes range from $1.6 million to $6 million. The higher end is often reserved for some of the historic Mediterranean masterworks from Ole Hanson’s original city plan.
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Access to the San Clemente Beach Trail and San Clemente Pier Beach
“There’s easy walkability to the beach and beach access. You can also get onto the beach trail really easily from downtown area,” Wach says. On the west side of the community, the San Clemente Beach Trail runs for 2.3 miles — the paved pathway is an ideal place for biking and jogging next to overlooks of the Pacific Ocean. The path also has access to multiple beaches, including San Clemente Pier Beach, the city’s most famous beach. From sunbathing to surfing, this area brims with water recreation in a lively setting. It’s also home to San Clemente Pier, where visitors can fish, take walks at sunset or dine at the Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar, a laidback seafood eatery. On the east side of the neighborhood, there’s an entrance to the 6-mile Rancho San Clemente Ridgeline Trail for views of the city, the coastline and the Santa Ana Mountains.
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Capistrano Unified Schools, including Shorecliffs Middle and San Clemente High
The west side of the community is served by Clarence Lobo Elementary School, which earns an A-minus rating on Niche, while Shorecliffs Middle School has an A rating. The east side is served by Las Palmas Elementary School, which has an A-minus, and A-rated Bernice Ayer Middle School. San Clemente High School serves both areas and has an A rating. In 2024, the high school was lauded for its AVID program, which assists first-generation students in going to college.
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20 miles to Irvine and more transportation
Irvine is about 20 miles away via Interstate 5, while Santa Ana is about 30 miles from the community. The neighborhood is located between San Diego and Los Angeles, about 60 miles from both major metropolitan areas. For public transit, Central San Clemente is served by San Clemente Pier train station and the Orange County Transportation Authority bus system. The closest airport with commercial flights is John Wayne Airport, located about 25 miles away.Ocean Festival and Fiesta Music Festival
For nearly 50 years, the annual Ocean Festival has been the biggest event in San Clemente. The activities include a bodysurfing competition, a children’s race and a lifeguard competition. “I remember really enjoying it as a kid when I was a competitive surfer,” Wach says. In August, the Fiesta Music Festival features free concerts as well as booths with food and games.
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Written By
Anna Anderson
Photography Contributed By
Samuel Evans
Video By
Tyler Hall
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Devon Allen
Devon Allen
Coldwell Banker Realty
(949) 407-5336
14 Total Sales
2 in Central San Clemente
$1.3M - $1.6M Price Range
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Drew D'Angelo
Drew D'Angelo
Kase Real Estate
(949) 867-6319
80 Total Sales
16 in Central San Clemente
$721K - $925K Price Range
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Teresa Gorman
Teresa Gorman
Fiduciary Real Estate Services
(949) 569-5182
35 Total Sales
1 in Central San Clemente
$1,914,000 Price
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Candice Blair
Candice Blair
Coldwell Banker Realty
(946) 466-0620
96 Total Sales
2 in Central San Clemente
$1,875,000 Price Range
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Cyd Panaccione
Cyd Panaccione
HomeSmart Realty West
(442) 222-3777
105 Total Sales
1 in Central San Clemente
$3,449,000 Price
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Lisa Wilhelm
Lisa Wilhelm
Coldwell Banker Realty
(949) 379-1927
19 Total Sales
1 in Central San Clemente
$1,100,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Linda Lane Park
Max Berg Park
Verde Park
Parque del Mar
Swings at North Beach
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Central San Clemente | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 7 | 4 |
| Larceny | 6 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Central San Clemente Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Central San Clemente, San Clemente sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Central San Clemente, San Clemente over the last 12 months is $1,850,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$1,950,000
Median Sale Price
$1,850,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,960,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,875,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$1,610,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
173
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,054
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,831
Number of Homes for Sale
42
Median Year Built
1964
Months of Supply
2.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,660
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,734
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,430
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
886
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
300
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,840
Open Houses
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Saturday, Jun 141 - 4pm
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Sunday, Jun 152am - 4pm
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Saturday, Jun 141 - 4pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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$2,635 - $4,381 per month
- Seaview Terrace Apartment Homes
- 1-2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 602 N Avenida de la Estrella
- San Clemente, CA
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Condo Buildings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
14,179
Median Age
41
Population under 18
20.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$92,801
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$123,604
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.2%
College Graduates
42.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
16.6%
% Population in Labor Force
71.1%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
12''
Average Winter Low Temperature
44°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
48
/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
93
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Marblehead
A popular San Clemente neighborhood with a mix of housing right on the water
Rancho San Clemente
Planned neighborhood close to the I-5 and downtown San Clemente
Southeast San Clemente
An upscale San Clemente neighborhood with ocean views and hiking
Southwest San Clemente
A residential area with eclectic architecture next to San Clemente State Beach
Coast District
A San Clemente neighborhood with manufactured homes and high-end houses with views
Forster Ranch
Spanish homes surrounded by beach retail and ocean views
Reviews
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