Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How to make the most of San Clemente’s free summer trolley
Coming up: Awakened Lifestyle Expo (Mind, Body, Spirit) on the San Clemente Patch calendar
Good morning San Clemente! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How to make the most of San Clemente's free summer trolley
- How San Clemente's worst El Niño swell still shapes our coast
- Step inside San Clemente's historic "Jewel of Orange County"
Also on today's calendar: Awakened Lifestyle Expo (Mind, Body, Spirit) and 2 more events.
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Humid, with a high of 81 and low of 67 degrees.
- Friday: Humid, temps: high: 80, low: 68.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny and humid, with a high of 80 and low of 65 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. San Clemente Free Trolley Guide Wednesday August 19 2026 (southocbeaches.com) — San Clemente's free summer trolley is running daily on the Red, Blue, and Green lines, with service every 15–25 minutes and easy connections to Metrolink at North Beach and the Pier. Rides are ADA accessible, bike-friendly, and funded partly by grants that depend on strong ridership, so hopping aboard helps keep this popular local service rolling for years. 
2. Big Tuesday: The day the Pacific came ashore (sanclementejournal.com) — San Clemente's coastline and pier are remembered through a vivid account of the massive March 1, 1983 El Niño swell that tore away 400 feet of the pier and reshaped local beaches. With meteorologists again warning of a strong El Niño, city officials describe decades of pier upgrades and coastal resilience planning, while acknowledging the Pacific's enduring power.
3. Inside Orange County's hidden coastal gem (visaliatimesdelta.com) — San Clemente's Casa Romantica, the historic former home of city founder Ole Hanson, now serves as a nonprofit cultural center overlooking the Pacific. Approaching its 100th anniversary in 2027, the Spanish-style estate preserves original architectural details while hosting arts and history programs that connect residents and visitors to the area's coastal heritage.
4. 'Around the World in 80 Days' at Cabrillo Playhouse (cultureoc.org) — San Clemente's Cabrillo Playhouse is staging a fast-paced, steampunk-flavored "Around the World in 80 Days" from August 21 to September 13, 2026, at its Avenida Cabrillo theater. With eight actors playing nearly 40 characters and upgraded lighting and sound, the intimate 70-seat venue promises an imaginative, family-friendly adventure that leans on clever stagecraft instead of spectacle.
📸 Around San Clemente
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in San Clemente
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Awakened Lifestyle Expo (Mind, Body, Spirit) →
Norma Hertzog Community Center, 1845 Park Ave, Costa Mesa
9:00 am
Saturday August 22
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Ribbon Cutting - Pentatonic Logic Guitar Studio
San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Pentatonic Logic Guitar Studio 400 S El Camino Real #C San Clemente, 92673
1:00 pm - Multi-Chamber Community Affairs Meeting with Congressman Levin
San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Outlets at San Clemente, VIP Lounge 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, SC 92672 (Center Court, Customer Service, 2nd Floor)
12:00 pm - Ribbon Cutting - Assisted Living Locators & Senior Helpers of Coastal Orange County →
San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Assisted Living Locators & Senior Helpers of Coastal Orange County 657 Camino De Los Mares #240 San Clemente, 92673
12:30 pm - Re-Grand Opening/ 2 Year Anniversary Ribbon Cutting - Blue Dog Ride Ebikes →
San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Blue Dog Ride 810 North El Camino Real San Clemente, 92672
2:00 pm
Friday August 21
Wednesday August 26
Friday August 28
📣 San Clemente Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- PTA Exec Mtg
Bonita Canyon Elementary Irvine, CA 92603
8:30 am - San Juan Capistrano Farmer's Market →
Farmakis Farms, 29932 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
9:00 am - Journey USA →
The Coach House Concert Hall, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
8:00 pm - Ladera Farmer's Market →
Founders Park, 28275 Avendale Blvd, Ladera Ranch
9:00 am - Sea Country Festival 2026 →
Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce, 30111 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel
7:00 pm - Fall Conference Week (Min Day)
Vista Verde Irvine, CA 92603 - Fall Conference Week (Non - Student Day)
Vista Verde Irvine, CA 92603 - Make up Picture Day
Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Sunday August 23
Monday August 24
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making San Clemente PatchAM possible:
- Magic Pro Cleaning Solutions — (949) 842-0020
- Business Design Innovations — (949) 795-4721
- Adam Nelson, Realtor | First Team — (949) 866-0245
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Coral Thrift Shop Gives $2,500 SCHS "Futures" Sponsorship to San Clemente Chamber of Commerce —Coral Thrift Read on Patch
- All the "licensed drivers" of cars, are asking that kids on e-bikes follow the driving rules.
It means the kids need to go through a drivers education class, so they know the rules and laws. Then they must get an "e-bike rider license" so the… (Nextdoor Ola Vista) - It's Back to School!
Coral Thrift Shop gives $2,500 sponsorship to San Clemente Chamber of Commerce for the "Futures" program at San Clemente High School! "Futures",… (Nextdoor N El Camino)
- Panera Bread Company posted a job opening for Team Member in San Clemente. Apply here.
- Ralphs Supermarket posted a job opening for Meat Clerk in San Clemente. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near San Clemente here.
Ok San Clemente! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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