San Clemente History
San Clemente, California History
The History of San Clemente dates back to the early 1920's when San Clemente was discovered by Ole Hanson. At the time San Clemente was an hour south of Los Angeles and and hour north of San Diego which created the perfect resting stop for travelors going back and forth between the two cities. Ole Hanson was a businessman, developer and master marketing genius and decided to market San Clemente as "The Spanish Village by the Sea."
It was a gamble at the time since San Clemente was counsidered in the middle of nowhere and a long distance from larger cities. Ole Hanson's dream was to create a Village of white stucco Spanish houses with red clay tiles. The first historical homes were built in the mid 1920's and Ole Hanson was successful in marketing San Clemente to local travelors and businessman looking for a second and primary residences.
Today, San Clemente is rich in history and the original Ole Hanson homes are protected as a reminder of the origin of San Clemente. For more information on historical homes for sale please contact one our knowledgeable San Clemente Real Estate agents today.
San Clemente Historic Homes For Sale In San Clemente, California
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San Clemente 606 Avenida Victoria
Welcome to 606 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente—The Oceanfront Hacienda. Step into a piece of history with this extraordinary Spanish villa, a historic property built in 1929 by San Clemente’s visionary founder, Ole Hanson. Perfectly embodying his dream of a “Spanish Village by the Sea,” this architectural masterpiece offers breathtaking oceanfront living in an iconic location directly across from the San Clemente Pier. This timeless villa showcases stunning Spanish architectural elements, including hand-hewn wooden beams, intricate Spanish tile floors, stucco and plaster walls, and brick fireplaces. The home’s elegant design and craftsmanship are evident in every detail. With five ocean-view bedrooms, four full kitchens, four living rooms, and ocean-view patios—including a large oceanfront patio—this property offers a versatile layout perfect for comfortable living, entertaining, or income potential. An attached two-car garage adds to its practicality. Originally built as a single-family residence and the only oceanfront SFR in the Pier Bowl, the property was converted to a legal non-conforming fourplex in the 1960s. It offers incredible flexibility as a single-family home, a fourplex, or a mixed-use property. The Oceanfront Hacienda is a Mills Act property, providing significant tax benefits while preserving its historical charm. The current owners have meticulously restored the property to maintain its original elegance while accommodating modern needs. With vacation rental potential, this home is also an entertainer’s dream, featuring patios perfect for dining, lounging, and enjoying panoramic views of the ocean, Catalina Island, and the San Clemente Pier. This property represents more than a home—it is a legacy of San Clemente’s heritage and a reflection of Ole Hanson’s vision. From its serene grassy courtyard to its stunning ocean views, the villa invites you to experience timeless coastal living. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own a piece of San Clemente’s storied history.$5,995,000
San Clemente 255 Avenida Lobeiro # M
A rare penthouse dwelling within the prestigious oceanfront Casa de Marca, this historic Spanish revival retreat sets the epitome of dreamy coastal living. A very special offering with a public park & the serene CA State Park at State Beach just to the south (both never to be developed), this particular unit offers an incredible living experience unlike any other in the building. A stellar location bar none: top-floor, end-unit spanning street-to-oceanfront with preserved & unobstructed coastline & ocean views from almost every major room within - a truly inimitable characteristic. Sited on a massive oceanfront double lot with sprawling grassy grounds, inside is like a vacation year-round. Whitewater & surfers riding waves just below, Pelicans soaring right by, a crisp emerald horizon, ever-changing sunsets, and preserved coastline rolling toward the world-class surf beyond at Cotton Point, all framed by historic features of the original 1930s estate. This setting evokes a feeling of being somewhere along the Mediterranean coast. Inside, coastal-ocean views immediately steal the show with several divided lite windows & large picture windows out to the emerald ocean. Rustic beamed-ceilings & an arched Spanish-tiled fireplace anchor the main living room. Step out onto the covered lanai overlooking the Pacific to the most beautiful & relaxing setting, very private, elevated high above overlooking the beach below. Featuring rustic wood counter tops with bar seating, stainless appliances, Spanish tile accents & cabinetry, the updated kitchen is wide open to the living room creating one open, cozy ocean-filled living space. Views are the common theme throughout. The massive primary suite sits out on its own peninsula with windows on both sides, very unique to this unit. The secondary guest bedroom (twin beds) sits along this south wall & functions almost as its own suite. An additional office/third bedroom/flex room spills out to the front mezzanine. Common areas: Secured parking (2) & owner’s storage, bluff-front spa, romantic grounds, recently-improved courtyard & paver walkways, secret turret, all securely gated, perfect for the full-time or part-time owner. For those seeking a laidback, beachy lifestyle on the ocean easily-accessible to sandy beaches just below, a 2.5 mile beach trail to trendy restaurants & cafes, world class surfing nearby, great neighbors & congenial ownership with a well-managed HOA, this is the dream opportunity!$2,395,000
San Clemente 117 Avenida Cabrillo
Built by San Clemente's legendary founder Ole Hanson, this 1927 home is a living piece of the towns architectural heritage. Located a stones throw from the bustling Avenida Del Mar, the extraordinary property unlocks endless possibilities with a rare double-zoning for both residential and commercial use. And now, it's bak on the market for the first time in 50 years. As you approach, classic Spanish Revival architecture immediately catches the eye. The red tile roof and stucco walls speak to Hanson's enduring vision for his "Spanish Village by the Sea". Cross the threshold through cross-beamed double entry doors into a space steeped in history, featuring warm wood floors and an adobe-style fireplace. Cozy and functional, the 2-bedroom, 1-bath home offers just over 1,000 square feet of interior living space. The spacious family room provides ample room for relaxation or entertaining, while the generous from patio invites you to bask in the California sun and sunsets and watch the world go by. Step outside, and you're in the heart of San Clemente's vibrant business district. Dozens of cafes, restaurants, bars, and boutique shops line nearby Avenida Del Mar, offering a unique blend of small-town charm and modern convenience. The San Clemente pier, local beaches, and the scenic beach trail are all within short distance, as are the community center and the Cabrillo Playhouse. The year-round San Clemente trolley stops nearby, offering free rides around town. With effortless access to the 5 Freeway, the rest of Southern California is at your fingertips. This rare gem is an opportunity to be part of San Clemente's history and write your own chapter in its story.$1,700,000
Based on information from California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. as of February 15th, 2025 at 2:35am PST. This information is for your personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties you may be interested in purchasing. Display of MLS data is usually deemed reliable but is NOT guaranteed accurate by the MLS. Buyers are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all information and should investigate the data themselves or retain appropriate professionals. Information from sources other than the Listing Agent may have been included in the MLS data. Unless otherwise specified in writing, Broker/Agent has not and will not verify any information obtained from other sources. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
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