Watch CBS News

San Clemente Ocean Festival

For two days in July, the Southern California coastal city of San Clemente is taken over by the San Clemente Ocean Festival, a family-centered festival that is focused on the promotion of ocean safety and the environment.

The San Clemente Ocean Festival, cleverly nicknamed "The Greatest Show on Surf" is a 2 day event which takes place on July 21st and 22nd and is located by the San Clemente Pier. The festival delivers quality athletic events that attract world class athletes as well as athletic novices to test their strength and have plenty of fun in the sun. Thousands of locals and visitors gather to watch and participate in the festival with some coming as far away as Hawaii and Australia.

The Festival is full of family friendly events that you will not want to miss. A city lifeguard pancake breakfast will be served both Saturday and Sunday mornings from 7:30am to 11:00am. The crowd pleasing 20th annual Woody car exhibit will be on display on the pier, where you can take a stroll the pier amongst surfing classics. Not to forget, the Ocean art show will be overlooking the event in the park nearby. Make sure to check the website for a full list of events available during the festival.

Saturday Activities:

Children's activities run the gamut from a children's fishing clinic, the 4th annual "Dolphin Dash" kid's beach run, to face painting, carnival games and arts and crafts. See website for more details, some activities require a fee.

Adult's activities range from a surf race, paddleboard sprint, championship competitions to free body boarding and body surfing clinics and much, much more. See website for more details, some activities require a fee.

Make sure you stay for the beach party and free concert featuring "Flock of the 80's" the party starts at 5pm.

Sunday Activities:

Children's activities include "Groms Rule" surf contest, fishing derby for all ages on the pier, Mermaid parade at 9am, face painting, carnival games and arts and crafts. See website for more details, some activities require a fee.

Adults' activities consist of a sand sculpture team competition, body boarding demo's, fishing derby for all ages on the pier, and championship competitions and much more. See website for details, some activities require a fee.

Don't forget to check out the "Great Rubber Ducky Race" on Sunday at 4:00 PM.

The San Clemente Ocean Festival is a non-profit organization that has been planned and run by dedicated volunteers since its conception in the late 1970's. The Festival has provided support to many local groups and organizations through grants, assisting programs and grants to graduating high school students. To learn more about volunteering your time to the festival, log on here.

The festival takes place at the San Clemente Pier:

Free Parking and round trip shuttle service is available from San Clemente High School to the festival on Saturday from 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM and Sunday from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM.


You can find the San Clemente Ocean Festival online at their website and on Facebook.

Desiree Eaglin blogs at Sarcastic, Funny and Brutally Honest. You can find her on Twitter too.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.