Surf, Swim or Both At T Street Beach: San Clemente City Manager Discusses Options

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — A decades-old policy is up for review in San Clemente.

"Summer will be here before we know it, which makes this the perfect time to invite the public to provide input on the summer surfing and swimming policies for San Clemente’s popular T-Street beach," the city manager's office said in recent release.

As one of California’s premier spots for surfing, bodyboarding, and bodysurfing, and an extremelyy popular beach for families, T-Street gets over-crowded in the summer.

"To ensure everyone’s safety, the City separates swimmers and surfers during the summer and occasionally other times during the year as necessary," they city manager's office said.

How is separation of swimming and surfing handled, currently? Surf morning and evening, and swim all day. But, according to the city manager's office, that is up for discussion.

The current policy allows surfers to have exclusive use of the water in the morning and evening hours, which are the hours typically preferred by surfers. Swimmers have exclusive use of T-Street during the middle of the day.

"This policy has been in place for decades and were based on input from surfers and swimmers," the city manager's office said. "Since it has been so many years since the policy has received public review, the City would like to invite interested people to provide input regarding any suggested changes at an upcoming Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on Tuesday, May 9 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio, San Clemente, in the Council Chambers."

Photo: San Clemente photographer Edward Lloyd: Photo of the week