SAN CLEMENTE PIER

History Note

The town and the pier itself were both developed by Ole Hanson during the land boom days of the "Roarin' Twenties." His vision foresaw a "Spanish village by the sea,"
where all the houses were white with red tile roofs. His vision seems to have nearly come true.

The pier itself was built in 1928 and apparently was a favorite site to smuggle liquor into the county during prohibition. The hurricane of 1939 destroyed much of the pier
including the cafe, tackle shop, and Owl Boat Co. fishing operation out at the end of the pier. It was rebuilt for a measly $40,000. The killer storms of 1983 tore out 400
feet from the end of the pier and 80 feet from the mid-section area, just past the surf area. Repairs in 1985 now cost $1.4 million. When rebuilt, the end section was built
3.5 feet higher, and polyethylene-coated steel piles were used to hopefully better withstand winter storms.

Before the construction of the Dana Point Harbor, sportfishing operations were located at the pier. Apparently the fishing fleet would hire local kids and their wagons to
haul the fishermen's bags down to the end of the pier.

San Clemente itself was named after San Clemente Island. The island was given its name about November 25,1602 by the Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino.
He named it San Clemente in honor of Saint Clement whose feast day is November 23.

San Clemente Municipal Pier Facts

Hours: Open 4 a.m. till midnight.

Facilities: Lights, benches, fish-cleaning tables, an excellent bait and tackle shop (stop and say hi to the folks), and the Fisherman's Restaurant
(where I had some excellent broiled yellowtail one evening). A parking lot is just up the street; cost is $.75 an hour and there are 6-10 hour meters.

Handicapped Facilities: Handicapped parking and restrooms. The pier surface is cement and planking and the rail height is 43 inches. Posted for handicapped.

How To Get There: From I-5 take any of several exit streets west to El Camino Real, follow it to the center of town, and from there take Del Mar down to the pier.