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In case you missed it, the US Embassy recently issued a bond alert for Spain, not because of rising crime rates, but solely because of the scorching heat that is taking over some of the country’s most sought-after destinations.
That got us thinking: what if you could experience a slice of Spain without melting into the pavement like a human blob?
Turns out you can—and you don’t even need a passport or have to board a long-haul flight.
Southern California is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but not a place where you’d expect terracotta rooftops and tapa-heavy menus.
But hey, I’m a local and have the privilege of sharing the inside scoop.
There’s no need to fly ‘across the pond’ to Spain when you can visit one of Orange County’s most beautiful beach towns, where the Spanish vibe radiates from the moment you drive into town – minus the retro Denny’s sign.
San Clemente is a mirror image of Spain
Okay, “mirror image” might be a stretch, unless Spain suddenly adds bleach-blonde surfers, Trader Joes, and parking wars to the beach, but San Clemente comes surprisingly close to the nail.
Just outside of San Diego County, serving as a welcome mat to the OC, lies the undeniably charming coastal town of San Clemente.
Known as the “Spanish Village by the Sea,” this OC beach town embraces its red-tiled roofs, white-plastered facades, arched entryways, and airy plazas that feel much more Andalusian than Anaheim.
Stroll down Avenida Del Mar, stroll to the seafood-lined pier, or dine on an airy terrace in town with the salty air flowing in.
You’ll easily understand why San Clemente seems like SoCal’s best answer to a sun-drenched Spanish getaway without the ugly weather forecast.
No passport, no dreaded long-haul flight, and best of all, no need to melt under a brutal European heat wave – just blissful weather all year round, with a ‘heat wave’ reaching temperatures of 90 degrees on its worst day.
Wine and tapas included
No trip to Spain is complete without endless small plates of tapas – you know, the heavenly shareable snacks that somehow turn “just one drink” into a full-fledged dinner, while your waiter keeps the kitchen running every 5 minutes.
My goal is The Basementa simple name that knocks it out of the park as one of my favorite wine bars on earth – and I’ve been to 45 countries.
With a tempting Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and serving up small plates of cheese, charcuterie boards, and tapas-style bites, scoring a cozy patio seat on Avenida Del Mar—where SoCal beach life meets Spanish-style dreamscape—will leave you wondering why Barcelona has to be the default splurge.
However, don’t underestimate the paella Inka Mamas. Yes, it may be Peruvian in nature, but it still tickles Spain without the transatlantic price tag.
Trust me on this one. You’ll thank me later.
The beaches of San Clemente are the perfect alternative to Laguna Beach
I don’t know if you’ve ever spent the summer in Laguna Beach, but oh my, it draws a crowd long after the heyday of the reality show of the same name.
This iconic OC hotspot is beautiful, but sometimes it feels like you need to take a moment to catch your breath.
That’s where San Clemente comes into the picture.
A little further south, this beach paradise offers the same towering golden cliffs, Pacific Ocean beauty, and walkable cityscape without feeling like you’ve accidentally walked into an open house of luxury real estate.
Start at the San Clemente Pier for the classic postcard scene, then stroll the Beach Trail for ocean views without having to elbow through the crowds.
T-Street is a local favorite among surfers San Clemente State Beach (my favorite) offers more room to spread out, especially if your ideal beach day involves fewer influencer photoshoots and more real-time relaxation.
Laguna may win in name recognition, but San Clemente makes a strong case for travelers looking for the movie set magic of Southern California with a little more breathing room and a lot less snobbery—especially since it’s just off I-5 and easily accessible aboard Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner.
