T Street Beach(Esplanade Beach, San Clemente City Beach)

Located at the west end of Esplanade Street in the city of San Clemente, T-Street Beach (also known as Esplanade Beach) is a popular surfing spot. There are two theories about the origin of the beach’s name - some sources say that T-Street Beach is named due to the intersection point of Esplanade Street into Paseo De Cristobal, which forms a "T" shape; others say that it's named after the Trafalgar Canyon which is a rock formation located near San Clemente. The beach area is connected to other beaches along the San Clemente waterfront through a 2.3 mile-long dirt trail known as San Clemente Beach Coastal Trail (which is also called San Clemente Beach Pedestrian Trail).

T-Street Beach is often considered a part of San Clemente City Beach, which is located to the north of the beach area. T-Street Beach has light brown sand and several palm trees dot the beach. The beach area is adjacent to a railway line running along parallel to its length. The beach features a backdrop of San Clemente city skyline having residential houses and hills.

T-Street Beach has lifeguards during peak tourist season or when the beach is crowded, and there are many other amenities here including showers, barbecue stands, fire rings, seasonal concession stands, and a walking trail. It also offers access to people with disabilities, but the beach does not allow dogs. 

T-Street Beach offers many fun activities including surfing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, beachcombing, wildlife watching, picnicking, bodysurfing, and kitesurfing. The beach is a popular visiting spot for families and often gets crowded during summers. The beach is popular among surfers looking for a great time in the water and enjoying some thrilling waves. However, the San Clemente administration has allotted specific access times for surfers to avoid water overcrowding. Surfers can access the water near the beach around evenings and early mornings. You can also swim in the water near the beach without restrictions. However, we recommend being aware of strong rip currents which can often be dangerous.

The beach is easy to access – the beach entrance is located near 340 West Paseo De Cristobal. There is a metered parking (from 9am – 7pm) area near the beach area along with West Paseo De Cristobal, while Esplanade Street offers free street parking. From both these spots, you can take the access overpass route to the beach which passes above the railway line.

The water near the beach is home to seals, sea-lions, dolphins, and migrating whales. There are a number of attractions near the beach. North of T-Street Beach you’ll find San Clemente Pier which is a 1,300 feet pier that offers pier fishing, a memorable vista of the Pacific Ocean, and a variety of restaurants. The San Clemente State Beach, also located nearby, offers a variety of exciting activities including fishing, hiking, and camping. You can also visit the Casa Romantica Cultural Center, which was earlier the home of Ole Hanson, the founder of San Clemente – it hosts cultural exhibitions, tours, and performances. The cultural center also houses La Cristianita Monument which commemorates the first Christian baptism in southern California in 1769.

If you're looking for a restaurant, The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar offers a great fine dining experience and is known for their clam chowder, grilled halibut, and seafood pasta served along with refreshing cocktails. Another option is the modestly priced Sancho’s Tacos is famous for its fish tacos. A family-friendly dining option is Mongkut Thai Restaurant which serves great pad see ew and Thai curries.

If you are looking for a hotel near T-Street Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 5-Star Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach is 16 minutes away and offers opulent rooms, a private beach club, multiple pools, a spa, an in-house lounge and bar, and a golf course. A more affordable option is the nearby 3-Star Casa Tropicana Boutique Beachfront Hotel which offers well-furnished rooms. The modestly priced 2-Star Surfbreak Hotel is another good option.