San Clemente sits where Orange County meets San Diego County, and many residents commute north or south. Whether you drive or take the train, a little planning helps. Here are the options and the places to check current information.
By car
Interstate 5 runs through town and is the main route north to Orange County and Los Angeles and south toward Oceanside and San Diego. Rush-hour traffic varies a lot by direction and time, so test your own commute with the Commute Check at the hours you would travel.
By rail
- Metrolink commuter trains serve San Clemente toward Orange County and Los Angeles, with stations near North Beach and at the Pier. Weekday and weekend service differ by station, so check the timetables. See Metrolink's San Clemente Pier station page and the timetables.
- Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner stops at San Clemente Pier and connects the coast between San Diego and Los Angeles.
- The coastal rail line runs along bluffs, and landslides and erosion have caused service interruptions in recent years. Check each operator's alerts before you plan a commute that depends on the train.
- North County Transit District's COASTER and SPRINTER serve the San Diego County side, from Oceanside south.
By bike and on foot
The San Clemente Beach Trail and the downtown area make many trips possible without a car. Hills vary by neighborhood, so look at the street, not only the map.
What this means when you choose a home
- Ask how you will get to work, the airport and the beach, and test it at the real hours.
- Compare two homes by the commute with the Compare Two Homes tool.
- Read our local pages: the San Clemente buyer guide and moving to and from San Clemente.
General information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Rules, schedules and programs change, so confirm current details with the official source.
More guides
- The Best Time to Buy or Sell Near San Clemente, Month by Month — Charts and numbers show which months Southern California homes sell most, when prices peak and when buyers have the most room to negotiate.
- Printable Neighborhood Sheets by ZIP Code — A one-page, printable snapshot of your ZIP code: typical values, rent, days to sell, income and the age of homes.
- Questions to Ask a Mortgage Lender Before You Choose One — A printable list of questions that help you compare lenders on equal footing, and what to look for on the Loan Estimate.
- HOA Dues and Mello-Roos Taxes: What They Are and What to Ask — Two costs that sit outside the mortgage and change what a home really costs each month, with the documents to request before you buy.