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    Rancho San Clemente Ridgeline Trail

    4.3 (7 reviews)

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    Rancho San Clemente Ridgeline Trail Map from City of San Clemente
    Amanda T.

    The official trailhead begins at Avenue San Pablo near Calle Ameno in the Rancho San Clemente neighborhood. I've taken 11 or more great hikes here without ever completing the entire trail system, so there are a lot of good options depending on where you start your hike. I've always brought my dogs along this hike too so I'm always considering what it's like to have dogs along. The pro's are that there are a number of open spaces and vacant lots that are VERY remote where you can let your dogs run free, I have done this often and they totally enjoyed it! Ok it's now time for a quick disclaimer: Of course in any rural area you want to be careful wildlife such as coyotes (especially, early morning and nighttime) and rattlesnakes (worst in summer). Also, ticks are very prevalent at all times of year, so BE CERTAIN you've given your pets Advantix or a similar tick preventative. That said, I've NEVER had an encounter with wild animals (besides my dogs ;) and a few squirrels and lizards here and there when I go hiking in the mid-morning to late afternoon. I wouldn't hike there outside of those hours, that would just be stupid really. There is plenty of time during the day for great hikes and you WILL have a great hike if you link up with any of the RSC Ridgeline trails.

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    Beach Trail

    Beach Trail

    4.6
    (118 reviews)
    5.0 mi

    I like walks on the beach. Or more like, by the beach. A favorite of beach trails that I've enjoyed…read morecoming to - lots to see and explore with vibrant flowers, the horizon of the ocean, the sounds of the Amtrak and Metrolink trains passing by. All of it is just amazing. And the best part is, there's so many ways to just have a good time and a good workout on this trail. The Beach Trail is about 2.3 miles long in total, but it can feel like a pretty long walk. AND that's only one-way. Coming back, you have to do another 2.3 miles, if you're returning to the beginning of your route. But you'll really see everything. Love the Beach Trail!

    This is a nice little beach walk going from North Beach to Calafia. Its only 2.3 miles. The scenery…read moreis beautiful. You are steps away from the ocean. Every so often an Amtrak, Metrolink, or BNSF train will pass by. Its a well kept trail and perfect for all walkers. There was a detour and I had to walk on the beach. Good thing it was low tide. You had to time yourself between the waves. Today was the first Saturday of the month and there were two beach cleanup crews. The Surfriders were by the pier, and at Calafia Orange County Coastkeeper were working. This group also does cleanup on the 2nd Saturday at Huntington Beach tower 9 at Magnolia st. from 9:00 to 11:00. I got there late or I would have helped.. I already signed up for Huntington next week. Every time I come to San Clemente I enjoy walking the trail. After eating its a nice way to burn off a few calories.

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    Sweet H.
    Sweet H.
    Love the trains!
    Love the trains!
    San Clemente pier

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    San Clemente pier
    Roller Coaster Trail

    Roller Coaster Trail

    4.5
    (4 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    If biking this is an excellent trail, but if walking it is a bit of an effort to get up the hill,…read morewhich can be muddy, and 20 minutes to get into the back canyons with the scenery. I would try to get to those canyons via another route. Parking is easy and plentiful.

    It's all in the name! This trail mimics a roller coaster. We came here yesterday for a morning hike…read morewith the doggos and it got pretty hot by the end. It's a hiking and mountain biking trail so be aware of your surroundings if you're hiking, especially with a big group. I don't know how many groups I saw walking 4-5 people across, but I guess that's just hiking etiquette in general. With steep ups and downs, this trail is lined with beautiful flowers and plants. It has several offshoot trails, making the trail itself open to multiple routes. At the top it gives a nice view of the surrounding San Clemente area and the Harbor. We've been before on a spring afternoon, and I have to say that's the best time of year to come. It's after the morning fog burns off and you get clear views of the ocean with lush tall green grass and gorgeous wildflowers everywhere. As with all trails in this area, be careful to look out for snakes. Other than that, it's a semi-challenging 4.5 mile loop with great views while getting a nice little workout in. This would be a great training loop for backpacking-steep steep grades for uphill and downhill training. Bring water, wear appropriate shoes with treads and wear sunscreen-totally exposed trail.

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    Roller Coaster Trail
    Roller Coaster Trail
    Roller Coaster Trail

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    204's

    204's

    4.7
    (3 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    I go to this place a lot. Not always to lay out at the beach, but to run the stairs. The beach…read moreaccess or beach trail access is by stairs from the above residential street up on the top of the cliff. Running or walking the stairs is an excellent workout. I stop halfway sometimes (there are benches on both sides, so you can get out of the way of the stairs) and do some extra exercises by the benches. Beautiful view! A lot of people also go surfing here and usually go halfway done the stairs to check the surf out. It has direct access to the beach trail that goes along the San Clemente coast line. The shore is not very long, so at high tide sometimes it may be hard to lay out or you might get swept out to sea - you can't say I didn't wan you! haha.

    This is one of the best and most hidden beaches in San Clemente! For many reasons one of them being…read moretheres FREE parking on the street above! The surf is generally pretty good here I mostly believe that it's due to the fact that there is a small reef not to far from the beach. Keep in mind that the tide here is usually pretty high this is not the type of beach to bust out the lawn chairs at unless you wanna go swimming for them! The name 204's some will say it comes from how many steps there are but I believe it's deprived from the sign on the train tracks that says 204 not sure what its meaning is to the trains but the name has definitely stuck over the years. I've spent countless days on this beach over my years of growing up in San Clemente and every time it's been fun I will keep coming back to this beach because of the location it's beautiful and a great place to just chill and ease your thoughts or to catch some waves! Ride On!

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    New Stairs!
    New Stairs!
    The trail from the street to the beach starts here!
    The trail from the street to the beach starts here!
    Hike it!

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    Hike it!

    Rancho San Clemente Ridgeline Trail - hiking - Updated July 2026

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