Hotel at a Glance: Comfort Suites San Clemente Beach

This newly revamped hotel offers the amenities travelers look for, including free breakfast and WiFi. All guest rooms are equipped with fridges and microwaves, and Mediterranean-style architecture gives the hotel a sunny, far-flung vibe. The hotel is close to the beach, restaurants, golf courses, and shopping areas; it’s also right off I-5, meaning you can easily explore other Southern California towns.

• Distance from the beach: less than a mile
• A free full breakfast includes hot items, pastries, fruit, cereal, and coffee.
• Cool off in the large, heated outdoor pool, or relax in the hot tub.
• Take a day trip to nearby SeaWorld San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, or Knott’s Berry Farm.

San Clemente, California: Laid-Back Coastal Town with Spanish Colonial Architecture

The laid-back town of San Clemente is set on the coast of Southern California, about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. The beach is known for having some of the best surfing in Orange County, but visitors don’t just come for the waves; there’s also a quaint pier and oceanfront eateries lining a palm-studded coastline that still hasn’t been overdeveloped. After a day of swimming or fishing, you can take advantage of pits set aside for sunset bonfires. San Clemente also has miles of biking trails, including some that wind through Camp Pendleton—the country’s largest Marine Corps base.

When San Clemente was founded in the 1920s, it was envisioned as a Spanish-style resort town. You can see some evidence of that plan in the red-tiled roofs crowning the shops and restaurants along Avenida Del Mar, the town’s main artery. Casa Romantica, the home of San Clemente’s founder, has been converted into a cultural center showcasing work by local artists.

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