About the San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and Orange County, California Area 

LOCATION  

The San Diego Freeway (1-5), the state's major north-south artery, serves San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Dana Point and provides a 40-minute commute to northern Orange County or 60 minutes to Downtown San Diego. Los Angeles is located approximately 60 miles to the northwest, slightly less from San Juan Capistrano. The Foothill Transportation Corridor is a planned 27.7-mile toll road, which will connect with the Eastern Transportation Corridor at Portola Road and Canyon Road and extend south to join the 1-5 Freeway just south of San Clemente. 

Dana Point is on the coast west and south of San Juan Capistrano and west and north of San Clemente. It is right on the coast highway route 1 and a few minutes west of interstate 5. 

The four major International airports that serve this region are John Wayne-Orange County (SNA), Los Angeles (LAX), Long Beach (LGB) and San Diego (SAN). 

BRIEF HISTORY 

San Clemente 

Ole Hanson founded the city of San Clemente. He was chosen as an arbitrator in a large land dispute in Mexico City. His payment was one-half interest in 52,000 acres of oil rich land there, by the time he left Mexico for California he had half a million dollars.
He had already seen San Clemente on a previous trip and had a dream to build a Spanish city by the sea. He joined a business syndicate that bought a lot of land in this area. Ole bought 2,000 acres and began to build his dream city, San Clemente.
He built a hospital, a community clubhouse, pier, a golf course, beach club with Olympic size pool, parks, tennis courts, a baseball diamond and stands as winter quarters for a Seattle ball team, bridle trails, a school, and a church. He built his own home, now called the Casa Romantica, and lived there with his family for approximately five years. When the City was incorporated in 1928, Ole Hanson was selected as the first mayor, but declined in favor of Thomas Murphine. Hanson remained as a city councilman. 

Dana Point 

Located in southern Orange County, California, Dana Point is approximately one-half way between Los Angeles and San Diego, and is bordered by the cities of Laguna Niguel and Laguna Beach to the north, San Juan Capistrano to the east, and San Clemente to the south. Incorporated in 1989, the City of Dana Point is named after Richard Henry Dana Jr. (1815-1882), a Harvard-trained lawyer, seaman, and author of the classic sea journal, Two Years before the Mast (1840). In his journal, Dana documents his voyage from Boston around Cape Horn to California on the merchant ship, Pilgrim. Therein, Dana describes the area once known as Capistrano Bay, as "the most romantic spot on the California coast". Today, Capistrano Bay is known as Dana Point. 

San Juan Capistrano 

San Juan Capistrano is known as the birthplace of Orange County and home of some of its oldest traditions. It is also Orange County's oldest community.
Of course, there is the legend of the swallows returning to Capistrano.
According to tradition, the swallows return to Capistrano on March 19th, St. Joseph's Day. They come from the Holy Land, says the legend, carrying a twig in their beaks, which they drop on the ocean when they want to rest during their journey. As romantic as the legend sounds, it isn't true; ornithologists have tracked the birds to Argentina where they spend the winter, returning in the spring to raise their young.  

The Mission of San Juan Capistrano has its own legend The "Jewel of the Missions" has been the center of Orange county for since its founding by Padre Junipero Serra in 1776. Today it is one of California's most important historical, educational, and cultural centers. The church was sold by Mexico when it won its independence from Spain to a private citizen. In 1865, Abraham Lincoln returned the mission to the Catholic Church. 

POPULATION - Orange County Census Information 

Dana Point- 35,110
Dana Point Population and Demographics 

San Clemente- 60,700
San Clemente Population and Demographics 

San Juan Capistrano- 33,836
San Juan Capistano Population and Demographics 

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS 

Disneyland, of course, Knotts Berry Farm, and Orange County and Los Angeles are a special attraction in themselves. The coastline of Dana point is one of the most beautiful along the California coast. The area in and around these three towns is filled with more options for relaxation and entertainment then perhaps anywhere in the country. 

EDUCATION 

The Orange County school system bases its ideals on the basic human values of honesty, respect, commitment, responsibility, and ethics. They provide over 158,000 children and young adults with an excellent education that emphasizes standards-based skills in a safe and supportive environment. 

ORANGE COUNTY VISITOR INFORMATION 

Guide to Orange County- Amusement Parks, Arts and Entertainments, Beaches, Cities, Education, Government, Jobs, Libraries, Maps & Directions, Museums, Parks, Sports, Transportation, and more...[click here] 

Orange County Visitor Information- Come visit and see it all for yourself...Orange County has something for every visitor!...[click here] 

AREA INFORMATION, HOMES, FACTS AND HISTORY
Explore Orange County communities, neighborhood homes, community events and local resources listed by city below: 

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