Hiking in San Clemente

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Hiking (in and around San Clemente)

San Clemente Beach Trail (2.27 miles each way)

A coastal pedestrian trail from North Beach to Calafia. Trail surface will be decomposed granite with organic stabilizer. Native plantings with drought tolerant accents will line the path. See more photos and details at the San Clemente City's website or click the play button below to see a short video clip of the beach trail from a walk I did in December (yes, December!).




Forster Ridgeline Trail

The Forster Ranch Ridgeline trial follows the crest of the hills on the South and East of the Forster Ranch development for a total length of 3.2 miles. Staying true to the ridgeline means this trail has a number of steep sections so be prepared. It’s all natural surface is surrounded mostly by open space but there is fencing on about 1/3 of the trail. Since this ridgeline trail splits the center of San Clemente it provides outstanding views looking down San Clemente’s backcountry developments and the ccean beyond. The East side of the trail is adjacent to the Mission Viejo land conservancy with its native coastal chaparral wild land. Of special interest are three designated view points with monuments, each uniquely designed to enhance the trail experience. In the future this trail will extend Northward and connect with the San Juan Regional trail complex which ties together most of the South County Ridgelines.

Directions:
There are many entrances to this trail but one of the best starts near the top near a few of the best view points. From I-5 exit at Camino de los Mares and head inland about 4 miles. Right on Camino Vera Cruz up past the school to the top of the hill. Continue to bear to the left at the fork. A few hundred yards later you will see the trail spur to the right.

Cristianitos Trail

The Cristiantos Regional Trail hugs the back edge of San Clemente on the border of Camp Pendleton and the Mission Viejo Conservancy and offers some of the most serious hiking in Coastal Orange County. Depending on where you start it is either all up hill or all downhill as is winds its way behind the Talega development up to the water tower. This regional trail is a graded path open to hikers, bikers and horses. The area to the North and East is true California wilderness with views into down into secluded canyons and stands of native oak. Although the trail seems to end at the water tower it actually continues on behind, up a steep switch back and onto a narrow ridge with a breath taking views of the Cristiantos watershed and the steep scarfs of Talega canyon. The improved trail ends here but there are a number of single tracks that mark the future path of the regional trail. Plans are to connect this trail into the San Juan Regional Trail system and to loop it back to the Prima trail for a full San Clemente loop.

Directions:
There are only two main entrances to this trail; one at the top and one at the bottom. The top entrance requires winding through many residential streets so the easiest access is at the bottom. From I-5 head inland on Pico until it ends. On the inland side is the trail head for the Cristianito Regional Trail. The seaward side is the trail head for the Prima Deshecha Regional Trail. The plan is to connect these two trails at the other end to create a 6 mile loop… but that part is not finished yet.

Prima Deshecha Regional

Prima is a new work in progress and is 60% complete. As a regional trail it will provide hike, bike and equestrian access from the San Diego County border at San Onofre State Park through San Clemente and into the San Juan trail system. Cutting a North-South path through the back county it offers a wide variety of views from open native chaparral to skirting commercial and residential developments. Pay careful attention to the portion near the Pico crossing where it loops back around the commercial complex, daycare center and catch basin. It’s easy to get off the trail and end up on the power line roads. To cross the road you head back up the hill on Pico, across the road and back down again on the other side and behind the commercial complex on the corner of La Pata and Pico. Check out the golf course in this area. The sand traps are pure white crushed marble. The trail is being extended Northward in this area and should pass under the Hermosa bridge in the near future.

Directions:
Although there are many entrances to this trail one of the most popular accesses is at the end of Pico. From I-5 head inland on Pico until it ends. On the inland side is the trail head for the Cristianito Regional Trail. The seaward side is the trail head for the Prima Deshecha Regional Trail.

Rancho San Clemente Ridgeline Trail

Rancho San Clemente Ridgeline Trail is a three and a half mile path for pedestrians, bicycles and dogs on leash. It has wide angle views of the coastline from Dana Point Headlands to the San Diego County beaches, along with broad vistas of inland hills, valleys and mountains in three counties. Trail surface is mostly asphalt, with some natural soil portions; it has several steep grades, but the majority is easy, long grades. There are six trail entrances: three are walk-in only and three entrances have parking nearby.

Directions from I-5:
Take the Ave. Presidio exit right, two blocks to Ave. Presidio (yes, the same street name) right and up the hill to Salvador, turn right to the top of the hill; the trail entrance is on the left, park on the street. If you start going down hill and see a great ocean view, you’ve gone to far.

Casper's Wilderness Park

33401 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano
(949) 728-0235 or (949) 831-2174

This is Orange County's largest park, and in some ways the most rugged. Nature is definitely untamed in this 7,600 acre expanse. You must be 18 or over to hike the wilderness trails, and you cannot travel the trails by yourself. There are many wonderful sights in this huge park. Bird watchers love this area. Foxes, bobcats, coyotes, deer and rabbits are plentiful. Weekend interpretive programs will enhance your enjoyment of the parks's geology, wildlife, and Native American history. Thirty miles of trails give visitors an opportunity to really appreciate Orange County's natural beauty before the arrival of settlers. Here you will see chaparral, coastal live oak, cactus, lemonade berry, lupines and sycamores. Bell Canyon and its trail offer the best tour of the park. Juaneno Indians once pounded oak acorns into ground meal in this canyon. The longest trail, Oso, is more than six miles in one direction, and leads to a 1,470 foot summit. On a clear day you can spy Los Angeles County, San Clemente Island and Santa Catalina Island from here. There is limited overnight camping space. You can also camp here overnight with your horse as long as you have a trailer.

San Juan Creek Trail

From the foothills near the Ortega Highway down to Capistrano Beach, this hilly trail will give you spectacular views of South County and the Pacific Ocean. It is Primarily for cyclists. Begin at Cook Park (Calle Arroyo and La Novia Avenue) and head southwest to the sea following San Juan Creek. The trail ends at Doheny State Beach.

San Juan Trail
Cleveland National Forest

Directions:
To reach this trail, drive Ortega Hwy-74, from San Juan Capistrano to about three fourths of a mile past the San Juan ranger station. The trail is tough, but is popular with hikers and mountain bikers. It proceeds northeast from San Juan Hot Springs to the Main Divide Trail inside the Cleveland National Forest. It is 23.2 miles altogether, but there are shorter loop trails. A good reference guide, such as Jerry Schad's Cycling Orange County, would be extra helpful to study before attempting this longer, more arduous type of ride.
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