We’re kicking off our summer road trip series — Hit the Road — with an outdoor adventure-themed trip to San Clemente, a charming little coastal town in Orange County. With San Clemente State Beach and scenic hiking trails aplenty, this city just north of San Diego County is a great destination for experienced adventurers + novice nature seekers alike.
Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations. Drive time: ~1 hour + 15 minutes from downtown San Diego Est. population: ~65,000 Avg. high in June: 71º |
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The Vista del Sol Park Loop is a gorgeous hike with a view. | Photo via @skyeblueoceans |
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🌊 Things to do San Clemente State Beach, 225 Avenida Calafia
This mile-long beach is located at the south end of San Clemente, perched below a steep bluff, so you can imagine the views. It’s a popular spot for surfing + camping (although, campsites book up quickly). It’s open daily from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. 🏝️ San Clemente Pier, 622 Avenida Del Mar
Us SoCal folks sure love our pretty piers. This quarter-mile pier is perfect for a quick stroll and offers epic sights of the Pacific. Surfers wait for the waves on the north side, while boogie boarding + swimming is allowed on the south side. 🌊
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We’ll just leave this here: San Clemente State Beach. | Photo via @pinkpulpito |
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Vista del Sol Park Loop, 111 Avenida Costa Azul
This 1.7-mile trail is an easy hike and takes about 40 minutes to complete — that is, depending on how many times you stop to admire the breathtaking scenery. 🥾
San Clemente Beach Trail, North Beach
Walking, biking + jogging is a must on this dog-friendly, 2.3-mile path that gives you easy access to the shoreline. Hop on this trail from the North Beach parking lots, San Clemente Pier, or Calafia State Park. 🐕
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Rancho San Clemente Ridgeline Trail, Camino del Rio
This is a 5.7-mile, moderately challenging trail where leashed dogs are allowed. We’ve heard there was once a “rock snake” here, too — a line of colorful, painted rocks added by community members. 🥾 Looking for more recommendations? Head to the link below. Plus, stay tuned for the July installment of our Hit the Road series. We’ll be highlighting a 30-mile road trip.
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Today
- Santee Farmers Market | Wednesdays | 3-7 p.m. | Corner of Mast + Carlton Hills boulevards | Free | Locally-grown fruits + veggies, baked goods, hummus, flowers, candles and more at this East County gathering. 🍎
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Andrea Bocelli | Wed., June 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Pechanga Arena | $80+ | The world-renowned Italian tenor performs live. 🎼
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Chris Isaak | Wed., June 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay | $88+ | The “Wicked Game” crooner headlines the waterfront venue. 🎤
Thursday - Lemon Grove Farmers Market | Thursdays | 3:30-6:30 p.m. | 2885 Lemon Grove Ave. | Free | An East County gathering highlighting locally-grown produce. 🍋
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Del Mar Summer Solstice | Thurs., June 16 | 5-8 p.m. | Powerhouse Park, Del Mar | $159 | Celebrate in the late sun with food, cocktails + island-inspired music. ☀️
Friday
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Kobey’s Swap Meet | Fridays-Sundays | 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. | $1 or $2 | “A pair of socks, a pair of shoes…” (if you know, you know) — the open air shopping hub offering clothing, sneakers + other goodies goes down in the Midway District.
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Baby Shark Live! | Fri., June 17 | 6 p.m. | San Diego Civic Theatre | $29.50 | A dancing + singing spectacular for the little ones — and if the song is now stuck in your head again, please forgive us. 🦈
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Stars at West Sycamore | Fri., June 17 | Dusk | Mission Trails Regional Park (End of Stoneybridge Parkway) | Free | Join the San Diego Astronomy Association for an evening of stargazing at the Scripps Ranch side of the park. 🔭
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We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends. |
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Weather - 72º | Clouds, then sunshine | 1% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset - Rise: 5:40 a.m.
- Set: 7:58 p.m.
Tide - Low: 5:09 a.m. + 4:16 p.m.
- High: 11:44 a.m. + 10:36 p.m.
Civic -
The San Diego City Council is “Ready to Rebuild” after unanimously approving Mayor Todd Gloria’s ~$5 million fiscal year 2023 budget. The plan focuses on major goals like city infrastructure, public safety, fulfilling the city’s Climate Action Plan + housing solutions. 💵 (KPBS)
- All San Diego County offices, family resource centers, libraries + animal shelters will be
closed on Mon., June 20, in observance of Juneteenth. The federal holiday is on Sunday and
honors the end of slavery in the US. County and state-run COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites will be closed both Sunday + Monday. 🗓️
Community -
The Old Globe at Balboa Park will host a Juneteenth Celebration this Saturday from 12-2 p.m. in the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. The event will feature musical performances, poetry, comedy, and a Juneteenth storytelling by poet Alyce Smith Cooper. It’s free to attend, but you must register ahead of time. 🎶
Opening -
Chef Priscilla Curiel — the mastermind behind the Michelin-recognized Tuetano Taqueria (you know, the place that’s famous for the bone marrow tacos) — is opening La Torta Queen this Friday. The eatery specializes in stacked Mexican sandwiches + will launch inside Mujeres Brew House at 1983 Julian Ave. in Barrio Logan. 🥑 (SanDiegoVille.com)
Today Is -
The beginning of major parking changes at the San Diego International Airport due to construction on the New T1 project. The Terminal 1 parking lot + pedestrian bridge are now permanently closed, and a new crosswalk will be activated. Prep for the big changes before you travel through SAN. 🚧
Travel -
Coronado’s Free Summer Shuttle — aka Route 904 — is running through Labor Day, offering quick transportation around the island to spots like the Hotel del Coronado + Ferry Landing. The route runs every 15 minutes, with additional late-night and weekend service. Check out the schedule. 🚎
Cause -
Local hunger-relief nonprofit Feeding San Diego added 10 new food distribution sites at county libraries this summer to provide families with nutritious meals while school is out. New sites include libraries like Borrego Springs, El Cajon, Fallbrook, Spring Valley, Ramona, Valley Center, and Vista. Find a food distribution near you.
- Tomorrow is World Sea Turtle Day. The
Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista is known for its Turtle Lagoon, where you can see an
endangered Eastern Pacific green sea turtle Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. You can donate to World Sea Turtle Day via the Discovery Center. 🐢
PlanAhead -
OK, this might be the coolest festival of the summer: Scoop San Diego is hosting its 4th annual Ice Cream Festival in North Park on Sun., June 26, from 12-4 p.m. Your ticket gets you 10 samples from ice cream, gelato + paleta vendors; 100% of the proceeds will support the Alpha Project.🍦
Announced -
Last week, we asked you to submit your best dad joke for a chance to be featured on a t-shirt or mug sold in Six & Main, our online store. Congrats to readers Jeff M., Natalie J., Anne M., and Elizabeth C. for submitting winning dad jokes that will be featured on merch (just in time for Father’s Day). All winners have been contacted, and thanks to everyone who submitted. Shop the dad joke collection.
Eat -
If getting organic poultry, grass-fed beef, heritage pork, wild game + more delivered straight from the farm to your dinner plate sounds like your foodie dream, D’Artagnan Foods can make it happen. Their small farms deliver overnight for guaranteed freshness. 🍽️*
A health message from our sponsor: - Number: 100. The individual hairs that the average person sheds in a day. But if you’re losing substantial volume, it could point to hormone imbalances or other underlying conditions. Learn more.*
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Café y cultura: Por Vida Cafe debuted its Sherman Heights location this week at 2460 Imperial Ave. — inside The Imperial Ave. Co-Lab.
The artsy coffee spot is open daily from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and is the brand’s fourth location. The original coffee shop is in Barrio Logan (about a block away from Chicano Park), and there are also locations at the Old Town Urban Market + National City (inside Plaza Bonita mall). The Sherman Heights menu is looking good, and we’ve got eyes for that classic Por Vida Latte — we’ll have ours on ice, please — with brown sugar + cinnamon. ☕
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Editor’s pick: There’s something about sunflowers that instantly makes me smile — so imagine my grin when I was surrounded by them at the sunflower maze at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company.
I loved seeing the flowers in all shapes + sizes, and the bees having a field day on some of them. The maze is included in your $5 admission; strawberry picking costs another $12 (per bucket), and also totally worth it. 🌻
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? San Diego’s summer real estate market.
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