[9] Panhe was located about three miles (4.8 km) south of San Clemente,[10] and has been historically documented to be over 9,600 years old.

[11] In 1776, Father Junípero Serra founded Mission San Juan Capistrano, and afterward the local indigenous people were dubbed "Juaneños" in Spanish.

San Clemente was included as part of Rancho Boca de la Playa, granted in 1846 by Governor Pío Pico to Emigdio Véjar.

Hanson anticipated that Californians weary of "the big city" would find refuge in the region's agreeable climate, stunning beaches, and rich land.

He had a clause added to the deeds requiring all building plans to be submitted to an architectural review board in an effort to ensure future development would retain red tile roofs and white exteriors.

When Ole Hanson came to San Clemente and decided to develop the city he moved into his epitome of the perfect house which was called Casa Romantica.

Hansen owned Casa Romantica up until the Great Depression hit and the Bank of America foreclosed on the property.

In 1969, President Richard Nixon bought part of the H. H. Cotton estate, one of the original homes built by one of Hanson's partners.

Nixon called it "La Casa Pacifica" and it was nicknamed the "Western White House," a term for a President's vacation home.

Many world leaders visited the home during Nixon's tenure, including Soviet general secretary Leonid Brezhnev, Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Prime Minister of Japan Eisaku Satō, Henry Kissinger, and businessman Bebe Rebozo.

The property also has historical ties to the Democratic side of the aisle; prior to Nixon's tenure at the estate, H. H. Cotton was known to host Franklin D. Roosevelt, who would visit to play cards in a small outbuilding overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

According to the 2010 United States Census, San Clemente had a median household income of $87,184, with 7.9% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

Downtown San Clemente restaurants and shops are adorned with red tile roofs, cream stucco walls, and dark wood doors and windows.

The homes in the Southwest Riviera neighborhood include several new constructions in the Cape Cod style, as well as new modern residences.

More traditional, older homes sit in the Lasuen "boot" district; the neighborhood surrounding Lasuens or "Lost Winds" beach is characterized by a variety of styles in both single and double story fashion, with Hansons's traditional Spanish style sprinkled throughout, crafting an eclectic atmosphere.

The renovations to historic buildings in North Beach have sparked a revival in the area, attracting new residents and business owners.

Many people work as civilian employees at the USMC Base Camp Pendelton which is just over the San Diego County line.

Additionally, numerous world-renowned surfers were raised in San Clemente or took up long-term residence in town, including Kolohe Andino, Shane Beschen, Mike Parsons (originally from Laguna Beach).

San Clemente High School has won 6 out of 7 most recent NSSA national surfing titles.

San Clemente High School has an IB (International Baccalaureate) Program and a large number of AP (advanced placement) courses.

Students at San Clemente High School have received academic accolades and hosted groups ranging from national title winning dance teams to award-winning orchestras, bands, voice groups and one of the nation's most skilled athletic programs; these groups have also received opportunities to perform at various venues including Carnegie Hall (madrigals and orchestra), various venues in Hawaii (marching band), and many others.

After the extension of Avenida La Pata opened in 2016, some students have attended the neighboring San Juan Hills High School.

[43] San Clemente is a stalwart Republican stronghold in presidential elections with no Democratic nominee winning the city in over four decades.

[45] James introduced a resolution to declare San Clemente a Second Amendment Freedom City in June 2021.

[46] In 2022, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, councilmember Steve Knoblock introduced a resolution to declare San Clemente a "sanctuary for life," which would have outlawed abortion within city limits.

Many of the locations in the film are still identical to the real ones, with the exception of the Pin's house, which was flattened a week after exterior shooting; the interior was constructed in a local warehouse.

This decision was viewed as a major defeat for the TCA and great victory for The Surfrider Foundation (which is based in San Clemente), and for assorted environmental groups.

Although other alternatives have been considered, TCA has no current plans to extend the SR 241 corridor through San Clemente.

[50] The funding for the San Clemente Trolley came from a $1.2 million grant from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) which the city applied for.

The Friends of the San Clemente Beaches, Parks & Recreation Foundation provided a donation of $10,000 towards the funding of the capital costs of the trolley.