In San Clemente, the morning after the 4th of July, not much is going on, save the cleanup crews working through the night to clean up downtown by the pier. In recent years, hiking on the 4th, or after it, is not something I do that much. I used to surf on holiday mornings. It was my tradition, one which included the 4th of July.
This past 4th of July, I spent at the San Clemente Pier watching fireworks. I had not surfed on the 4th or hiked, so I was ready to get back on the trail.
I decided to hike the San Clemente Ridgeline Trail. It is a paved trail with beautiful natural scenery all around. I love this trail, because it’s close to home, along with being a great place to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. On one side are the hills of Camp Pendleton, and the other has Saddleback Mountain, which is within the Cleveland National Forest. It’s a beautiful backdrop for a hike on any given day.
The trail always feels like a peaceful retreat for me. It has many wildflowers growing all along it, which vary in variety, throughout the year. It is a place to hear the birds sing, bees buzz, and hummingbirds hum. I love to explore the unmarked social trails that are on dirt, that jut off to the right, and left of the trail into the hills. Sure there are houses all around, and it is well within civilization, but it allows me to gaze off at the mountains, realizing I am not as far from the wilderness as you might think.
There is evidence of past ranching, and grazing of cows here, such as an old cattle trough, and rusty fencing from the old days.
Mountain bikers love the single-track trails here, such as the ones dropping steeply down towards Cristianitos Road, on the south side of the trail.
Escape the Crowds
I love all the trails around San Clemente, and Dana Point. One reason is they are never nearly as crowded as the ones in North County, like Peters Canyon, and Laguna Canyon. To access the San Clemente Ridgeline Trail, there are several entry points. Parking is street parking, and there are no designated lots. You can find the locations of these trailheads, and a map of the rest of San Clemente’s trails here.
I love my local beaches, and trails.
I hope you enjoyed reading this, and it is helpful in knowing what to expect, should you decide to visit here.
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
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Disclaimer: The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2023 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
Serafina Hikes 