The Ultimate San Clemente Kid-Friendly Guide

San Clemente is an excellent destination to travel to with kids. With an average of 310 sunny days a year, world renowned beaches, and a variety of shops and restaurants, this coastal town is the perfect place for your next family vacation. You can search our San Clemente properties here. 

1. Have a Beach Day

With 11 gorgeous beaches to choose from, no vacation in San Clemente would be complete without a trip to the beach. While you really can’t go wrong with any of the beaches, these are the easiest to navigate with kids in terms of parking, stroller accessibility, and amenities. All addresses are to the nearest parking. 

San Clemente Pier Beach: 104 N Alameda Ln, San Clemente, CA 92672

This lively and popular beach is a must-do for families traveling to San Clemente. There is a lot to do and it gets crowded pretty quick so definitely get there early and plan on spending a few hours exploring the area. This beach has restrooms and multiple lifeguard lookouts. There is a lot of paid parking available, but it is about a minute walk on a pretty steep hill so plan on bringing a stroller or wagon if you have a lot to carry. 

This beach has a TON of dining options. For grab and go options, there is a food stand directly across from the pier that carries burgers, fries, chicken tenders, and similar. It has some outdoor seating to the side of the building as well. There is also a small food stand at the end of the pier, open seasonally, that has quick bites and souvenirs. There are quite a few options for sit down meals directly adjacent to the beach and on the pier as well as up the street on Del Mar.

Linda Lane Beach: 400 Linda Ln, San Clemente, CA 92672

This smaller beach is nestled just north of the San Clemente Pier. There is ample paid parking up the street and the beach is accessible by stroller or wagon to make lugging all of your kid’s beach toys easier. This beach also has restrooms and a lifeguard on duty. 

Things to note: Parking for this beach, like most in San Clemente, is paid. The parking lot is also shared with a large park and playground, so if your child HAS to stop by every playground they see, you may want to factor that into your day. There are a lot of dining options about a 3 minute walk along the beach trail to the pier, but if you want to skip the crowds, bring food and snacks with you. 

North Beach: 1850 Avenida Estacion, San Clemente, CA 92672

North Beach is another great option for families since it is stroller accessible, has restrooms, and lots of paid parking. Located in a very walkable area, this beach has numerous cafes and restaurants within a short walk, making it the perfect spot for a sunset picnic with the family. There is even a small playground on the beach! 

If your family enjoys hiking you can also start at this beach and take 2.3 mile the San Clemente Beach Trail along the coast, hitting all 11 of San Clemente’s beaches. While the trail is sand, it is packed sand and is fairly easy to navigate with a stroller as long as you don’t mind it getting a little dusty. Grab a couple sandwiches from Moulin just up the street on your way to the beach. 

2. Explore the Local Playgrounds  

If you want some space for your little ones to run around that’s a bit more contained than the beach, check out some of San Clemente’s playgrounds. Some of our favorite playgrounds are listed below.

Linda Lane Playground: 400 Linda Ln, San Clemente, CA 92672

This playground is perfect for older kids and has an amazing view of the ocean. There are two large play structures that kids can run back and forth from as well as a couple picnic tables and a large grassy area. Beach access is just down the hill. A couple things to note: the parking for this playground is paid and is shared parking for the beach, so avoid peak beach times if you just want to use the playground. Also, this playground is not fenced in and is fairly close to the street so it may not be the best option if you have a runner or multiple younger kids who like to take off in opposite directions. 

Courtney’s Sandcastle in Vista Hermosa Sports Park: 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, CA 92673

There are a lot of great things to say about this park. It is gated with easy parking, multiple play structures, and was designed with children of all abilities in mind. This park also features a tide pool and garden. It is located in Vista Hermosa Sports Park and is also a quick drive from restaurants and shopping.

Tyke Time Indoor Playground: 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente, CA 92673

If you’re looking for somewhere indoors to go on one of San Clemente’s rare rainy days, check out Tyke Time. They have open play drop in most mornings for $18 at the time of writing. This is a great space for your younger kiddos to burn some energy and they also have monthly classes as well as an outdoor space.

3. Go Out to Eat Together

One of the best parts about visiting a new city is exploring new restaurants but it can be challenging knowing which restaurants will be suitable for kids. 

Pizza Port San Clemente: 301 N El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672

Pizza, beer, and arcade games…what more could a parent want! This multi-level brewery has family style tables, a large variety of pizza flavors, and arcade games on every level. It is perfect for older kids though some younger kids may find it overstimulating. When we went with our two year old he had a hard time staying at the table (understandably) and was very interested in all the games but didn’t understand how to play any of them. We would still consider it one of the best family friendly restaurants in the city though for its delicious pizza and great atmosphere.   Parking for this restaurant is limited so plan on finding street parking or walking if you’re able. 

Sunrise Cafe: 701 N El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672

A local-favorite breakfast and brunch spot in San Clemente, Sunrise Cafe is a must-visit when staying in the area. The inside is spacious and comfortable, but we recommend sitting outside if it is a nice day. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. The portions are large and they have a kid’s menu with breakfast and lunch items. The staff are very friendly and accommodating to kids. It is a short walk to Del Mar if you need to walk off your meal afterwards! 

San Clemente has a lot to offer for families; accessible beaches, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants make it a top destination when traveling with kids. If you’re ready to book your next family vacation check out our San Clemente properties here! 

We look forward to hosting you!