With the City of San Clemente in the process of developing a new General Plan to help maintain the high quality of life in San Clemente, the Council has been hosting a variety of workshops touching on key areas of interest and concern that will (hopefully) be addressed in the Plan.  This evening (August 31), from 6:30-9pm at the Ole Hanson Beach Club, the City of San Clemente will be hosting the 5th of 6 planned workshops.  The topic for this evening’s workshop is the North Beach area and N. El Camino Real.  These workshops are an excellent opportunity for residents who take great pride in their city to show up and offer their opinions to the people who will help shape the future of San Clemente.  As you can see from this article in the Orange County Register, “Pier area congestion: San Clemente workshop concern,” around 60 people attended a workshop last night concerning the Pier Bowl area.  The article lists a variety of topics addressed to The Planning Center (a group the city brought on to help shape the new General Plan) by residents of San Clemente and surrounding areas.  The workshops create a terrific forum for resident ideas and opinions, and who knows - you may bring up an idea that finds its way into the San Clemente’s plan for the future.

The workshop will take place in the Downstairs Room at the Ole Hanson Beach Club, which is located at 105 W. Avenida Pico.  For more information on the City of San Clemente’s efforts to devise a new General Plan, please visit their website.

While perusing the local section of the online Orange County Register today, we came across an article that really encompasses why we extol the virtues of buying a home in San Clemente.  The article, entitled “Businesses step up effort to boost Art Walks,” details the efforts of the Downtown Business Association to rejuvenate the Art Walks that occur during the summer along Avenida Del Mar and El Camino Real in the heart of Downtown San Clemente.  Started seven years ago, the Art Walks showcase works by artists displayed in a variety of downtown businesses.  This year has seen low attendance figures for the Art Walks, but rather than simply giving up on the event, the DBA has created plans to attract more people to the Walks.  The DBA has initiated efforts to attract more artists willing to display their works while making sure that businesses participating in the Art Walks stay open late enough for people to enjoy the exhibits.  Some businesses will even go so far as to offer specials or free snacks and wine to visiting guests, and one business, Rascal’s Ladies Over & Underwear, will be showcasing a fall fashion preview featuring a model show, a discount rack, refreshments, and a gift to anyone who makes a purchase.

We really encourage residents and visitors alike to support the Art Walks and the businesses who are doing everything they can to continue these excellent events.  You simply do not see these types of events in larger cities, and local businesses, more often than not, tend to give up on these kinds of ideas if the cost and time put forth is not justified by high attendance.  This is one of the many reasons why San Clemente is such a special city - the people who live and work here truly care about creating a great sense of community amongst their neighbors.  San Clemente Coastal Living applauds the efforts of these downtown businesses and the artists, and we hope that San Clemente residents and visitors will show their appreciation by visiting the Art Walks.

There are two Art Walks remaining on the schedule: Thursday, August 26th from 6-9pm, and Thursday, September 30th from 6-9pm.  For more information about the Art Walks, please visit the website for the Downtown Business Association.

San Clemente residents and visitors looking to park near the beach will have to pay a little more for the privilege.  Beginning tomorrow, August 23rd, the rates for beach parking meters and metered lots in the city will increase by 50 cents per hour from $1.00 to $1.50.  According to an article in the San Clemente Times, this is the first time in almost 15 years that the City Council has approved a measure to raise the hourly parking meter fees.

While some people may feel that the City of San Clemente is being greedy, parking meter increases are a great way to add funding to current projects being developed in San Clemente, including the Playa Del Norte project and the Avenida La Pata/Vista Hermosa Sports & Aquatics Center.  Also, with the amount of non-metered street parking throughout the city, there are plenty of options for people not looking to feed the meters…they just may have to travel a bit further from the beaches to find suitable parking.

This Saturday and Sunday, August 21st and 22nd, the San Clemente Art Association will be presenting its 50th annual Arts & Crafts Fair in Downtown San Clemente.  Over 100 booths of art exhibitions, from paintings and fine arts to hand crafts, will be presented for the viewing public from 10am to 5pm each day this coming weekend.  The booths will be set up at and around the San Clemente Community Center at 100 N. Calle Seville (where Calle Seville intersects with Avenida Del Mar).  The event is free to the public and is always a lot of fun…many local artists are on display, and the beautiful artwork combined with fantastic weather creates a wonderful vibe throughout the Downtown area.

For more information on the event, please visit the website of the San Clemente Art Association.

This Friday, August 12, the City of San Clemente will be hosting the final “Island Nights” event at the Ole Hanson Beach Club.  The event will take place poolside at the Beach Club and runs from 6:30pm-9:00pm.  Live Caribbean music will be played throughout by Steel Parade, and dinner plates from Iva Lee’s can be purchased for a nominal fee.  Tickets to the event are $4 for adults and $3 for children.

For more information or to purchase advance tickets, please visit the City of San Clemente’s online registration section.

This Sunday brings the annual fireworks display off the San Clemente Pier commemorating the Fourth of July.  The yearly tradition is a favorite amongst San Clemente residents as the fireworks are truly spectacular and can be seen from all over the city.  The Central area of town gets incredibly crowded during the buildup to the show, which starts at 9pm; my advice is to get there early and relax on the sand.  The City of San Clemente has posted information on street closures on Sunday, mostly on Avenida Del Mar and Avenida Victora.  Barricades will be put up at noon, which will only allow residents in these select neighborhoods to pass with proper ID; the roads will then close to all cars at 7pm.

As always, San Clemente Coastal Living wishes you a very happy and safe Fourth of July!

The SC Times has released the results for the 4th annual Best of San Clemente People’s Choice “Ole Awards.”  The annual awards are voted on by the readers of the SC Times and honor the best businesses, places and services in San Clemente.  The results are entirely chosen by readers and reflect the pride that San Clemente residents show in the numerous local businesses and places that make San Clemente such a unique place to live and visit.

To view the winners of the “Ole Awards,” please click on this link.

If you are interested in discovering more of what San Clemente has to offer to residents and visitors alike, please visit our San Clemente Lifestyle section.

The 2010 Census is upon us and with San Clemente being a U.S. Census partner, it is vital that you complete your surveys when received in March as the results of the Census will decide how $300 billion in federal funds will be allocated.  These funds help to shape the future of San Clemente, create local employment opportunities, and make for better local government.  

For more information, visit the 2010 Census website or contact the city of San Clemente at (949) 361-8254

A new San Clemente trails map highlighting all the hiking and biking trails is available for download now through the City of San Clemente.  The map includes over eight maintained trails as well as trails in San Juan Capistrano and State Parks.  The map includes descriptions of the trails, elevations, rules, and much more, so you can enjoy the outdoors of this beautiful coastal community.  There are trails that run parralel with the beach and train tracks from North Beach, located just at the edge of the new Marblehead Coastal development, all the way down to Southwest San Clemente at Calafia State Beach.  There are also inland trails going into the foothills just east of Interstate 5 and all the way out towards Talega.

To download the trails map, save it, and/or print it, click here!

After a year of planning, the popular Nick’s Restaurant of Laguna Beach has now opened a Nick’s San Clemente in downtown San Clemente on Avenida Del Mar.  Nick’s Restaurant is located at 213 Avenida Del Mar and offers Classic American cuisine in an intimate and chic environment with an outdoor patio and fire pit.  This restaurant offers a great place to relax, people watch, have a few drinks, and enjoy delicious food at a reasonable price.  The restaurant serves breakfast (starting in spring on weekends), lunch, and dinner. 

The menu has lots of delicious choices with appetizers such as fire-roasted artichoke, ahi tartar, fish tacos, asparagus fries, calamari, and much more.  The lunch and dinner menu includes salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers and some amazing entrees.  From standard and hickory burgers to chicken club or blackened halibut sandwiches, each one has a unique touch and many great side options.  Entrees include pan-roasted salmon, halibut fish and chips, buttermilk-fried chicken, short ribs, and filet mignon among others, each with great sides and unique flavors.  To top it off, the restaurant features many great drinks, including an extensive wine list.

Whether you are in the mood for a couple drinks and appetizers in a great social environment, or an intimate dinner, this is truly a great addition to San Clemente.

For reservations, call 481-2200 or go to scnicks.com.

If you would like more information on the latest real estate and lifestyle news in San Clemente, please contact San Clemente Coastal Living via the link or at info@SanClementeCoastalLiving.com and request to be added to our monthly newsletter.