If you're craving something not too crowded, slightly hidden and right up against the beach, head to San Clemente State Beach for camping and skip that other, busier beach-camping spot. There are 160 spots to choose from, all close to the sleepy 1-mile stretch of beach that is home to both surfers and lobster-skin divers. If you're in the mood for a hike, pitch your tent and meander up one of the several trails overlooking the ocean and the hills, or head over to an outdoor grill and cook up that lobster. With bigger, loftier San Diego and Los Angeles beaches to the south and north, San Clemente is ideal for a down-home coastal adventure free of all the worst Southern California clichés.
