The San Clemente Ocean Festival

The San Clemente Ocean Festival began in 1976 as an effort to expand the scope of the Orange County Beach Games. At that point, all of the participants were local lifeguards. Today, The San Clemente Ocean Festival is a 100% family friendly activity that attracts 50,000 attendees a year not only from the local area, but from places as far away as Australia as well. The San Clemente Ocean Festival is a non profit organization and all of the proceeds go to providing grants for many local groups and organizations.

The California Watermen and Waterwomen Competition takes place on Saturday. These are for professional lifesavers and the public as well and the events include stand-up paddleboarding, 1.5K sprint paddleboarding, surf ski championship, ocean ironman races, and the dory competition.

On Sunday, the events include a 5K Beach Run/Walk, ocean swims and run-swim-run races that are open for everyone.
The Ocean Festival 5K Beach Run/Walk goes along the waters edge on San Clemente beach and is open for everyone as well. The Southern California Bodysurfing Championships is open to everyone, age 12 and above.

The Sand Sculpting Competition is a team event, with as many as 10 people to a team. There is a liming of 20 teamas allowed. You get to choose from the following categories - Castles and Things, Creatures, Family or Open on Sunday. `

The Fishing Derby on Saturday is a special kids event for those 12 and under. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Experts will be on hand to teach fishing safety. On Sunday, there is a Fishing Derby for all ages. Prizes will be awarded for the Biggest Shark/Bat Ray, Biggest Non-shark (game fish), and Limit of Game Fish (no mackerel, herring or perch).

There are more just for kids under 12 activities as well. The Ocean Institute and Discovery Science Center will both be at the festival with special kids projects and the City of San Clemente Parks & Recreation Dept. will have crafts, games and relay races going on. The Dolphin Dash on Saturday morning is a beach run for different age groups. The 4 to 7 age group will run ½ mile, the 7 to 9 group will run 3/4 of a mile and the 10 to 12 group will run 1 mile. Everyone who finishes will get some kind of medal. The other activities include entertainment by Guillobel Brazillian JiuJitsu, San Clemente Gymnastics, the all kids band "Sad But True", Kids DJ Entertainment and the "aloha" sights and sounds of The Hula Connection Also on Sunday, the kids get their own chance to build sandcastles.

The Woody Car Exhibit is an annual event. Each day there will be 15 different cars on exhibit on the pier.
The Ocean Art Show has art in all media- original oil and watercolor painting and giclees; photography, ceramics, stained glass etc that all has the beach as a theme.

Saturday evening is a free concert and BBQ will be available for purchase.

The festival will wrap up with the Great Rubber Duck Race all throughout the festival, you will have the opportunity to purchase and decorate ducks and turn them loose for the final race.

The San Clemente Ocean Festival
San Clemente, California 92674