EXPLORE THE AREA
John Wayne Airport (SNA) - This is the closest airport to the venue. It is a smaller airport, so depending on your airline of choice flight options may be limited. (Airlines: Delta, American, Alaska, Southwest)
Long Beach Airport (LGB) - This airport is half way between LAX and SNA. If you’re looking for a smaller airport experience choose LGB. (Airlines: American Airlines, Delta, Jet Blue, Southwest)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) - LAX offers the most diverse airline and flight options. If selecting LAX, be sure to consider your arrival time. Any flights arriving after 3 PM will run into rush hour traffic driving south. Transportation time will vary, but without traffic it’ll take roughly 1.5 hours. If you drive during rush hour, be prepared to spend a minimum of 2 hours driving to the South Orange County area. (Airlines, to name a few: American Airlines, Delta, Jet Blue, Southwest. Please reference the site for more details.)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) - About 2 hours south of our venue. Compared to LAX this will be a beautiful drive. You’ll wind through mountains, pass through military base and parallel the coast. (Airlines: Delta, American, Alaska, Southwest, United)
The Vine, $$$$
Our favorite restaurant in San Clemente. It is amazing farm to table food and refreshing cocktail menu! Be sure to make reservations on open table, if you’re a party of 5 or more you’ll have to call.
Fishermen's (at the Pier), $$ for bar & $$$ for restaurant
The best view in San Clemente, neither the restaurant or bar take reservations so arrive early. The restaurant offers ‘sunset specials’ in the winter, which is a 3 course meal for a fixed price. Be sure to try their ice cream cake desserts! It is unlike anything you’ve ever seen or tasted. The bar has random happy hour specials (taco Tuesday, wing Wednesday, etc). We recommend the bucket of wings- delicious and a lot of food!
Pierside Kitchen & Bar, $$$
Great cocktails and fresh food! The best view is on the patio, but there is a view from almost anywhere in the restaurant.
Cafe Calypso, $$
Our favorite breakfast spot. Very low key, super delicious. It serves breakfast & lunch all day. We always order breakfast burritos, try our favorites: Carne Asada breakfast burrito and Cali Burrito.
The Riders Club, $$
Delicious custom made burgers. A San Clemente secret. Described as "slow fast food." The location is small, so be sure to account for a wait to order.
La Colombiana, $
Incredible (bottomless) mimosas on Sunday! The entrance is painted like a Colombian flag. If you're driving down PCH in San Clemente, you cannot miss it. Warning to true Colombians: they don’t have chicharron in their dishes. The owner (a Colombian woman) doesn’t like them, so she won’t make them in her restaurant.
Harbor Grill, $$$$
If you’re looking for a romantic dinner with fresh sea food, this is the place! If you’re a martini fan be sure to order 1 - they are the best! Erika, her grandmother and mom are huge fans of the martinis and always order them.
Harbor House Cafe, $
The closest thing to a diner in this part of town, been around since 1939. It is open 24 hours. Erika parents love it here for classic Sunday breakfast (not Erika’s favorite place).
Wind & Sea, $$
Fantastic outdoor patio with view of the harbor. Fun location for families traveling with their children. It sits on the corner of the inner harbor. You can see boats coming in and out. Occasionally, you’ll see seals swimming in the harbor or crabs climbing the sea walls.
Original Olamendi’s (Mexican Restaurant), $$
Family owned, fresh and authentic Meixcan food. You can’t come to California and not have Mexican food! Erika and her family have been eating here since she was a child.
Selanne Steak Tavern, $$$
Where we went for our second date. The appetizer mushrooms are incredibly delicious (so good, Andrew who doesn’t like mushrooms eats them). Fabulous vodka martinis!
Las Brisas, $$
Spectacular coastal California views! This restaurant is the place to go if you want to see the iconic vista of Laguna Beach (I am talking to you Lauren Conrad and MTV’s Laguna Beach fans). Fantastic margaritas and nachos <- be sure to share!
The Deck on Laguna Beach, $$
Patio has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean; you will hear the waves crash. It is literally ocean front dining. Cocktails and food are delicious.
DANA POINT HARBOR
‘Happy Harbor Days’ is a spectacular holiday light event. The walkways along the water between restaurants and shops are lit. It is a great photo opportunity.
CAPT DAVE’S DANA POINT WHALE WATCHING
Something Erika’s family (and Andrew for past few years) do every winter. Have the opportunity to see the spectacular gray whale as migrate from Pacific Northwest to the coast of Baja California. Last New Years Eve we saw a whale breaching (aka jumping) out of the water. We recommend bringing your own snacks and jackets (it gets cold on the water!).
BABY BEACH
If your little ones are not a fan of big waves, this is the spot for you. The beach is inside Dana Point Harbor, has shallow waters and sandy beach for parents. You can also rent stand-up paddle boards and kayaks to explore the harbor. There are small picnic areas too if you need a break from swimming!
OCEAN INSTITUE
Learn about local marine life with hands-on experiences and exhibits. This is walking distance to the tide pools or to baby beach.
TIDE POOLS
At the “point” of Dana Point, it sits just below the bluffs. As it becomes low tide water is left behind (aka ‘pools’), housing several sea animals. We’ve seen: starfish, small octopus and an anemone. Make sure to wear sneakers as the rocks can get a bit slippery.
PACIFIC SURF LINER
One of the most iconic and beautiful ways to see the Southern California coast is by train. Hug the coast and sip on some wine while you travel from Orange County to San Diego. This is a great day trip option if you want to explore another SoCal city. If you do goto San Diego ask Andrew and I about some of our favorite spots.
NOTE: If you’re staying in San Clemente the train stops by the pier twice a day. Be sure to check the schedules.
SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK
Unlike any “zoo” in the world! It is 1,800 acres of a wildlife sanctuary that is home to more than 3,000 animals. This past summer they had the first Southern White Rhino born in captivity. It is only 1 of 3 of these rhinos left in the world. Its sister park, San Diego Zoo hosts ‘Jungle Bells,’ which is a festival of lights held during the holiday season.
CRAFT BEER
San Diego has emerged as a craft beer capital. It is home to the West Coast IPA, usually very hoppy. If you’re a brew fan be sure to try them. Stone Brewing is probably the most nationally known.