The name “San Clemente” was chosen by Ole Hanson thanks to the ocean explorer Sebastian Vizcaino who founded The San Clemente Island in 1602 who later named the island after a Bishop from Rome (Saint Clement). In 1925, Ole Hanson, the former Mayor of Seattle, had the idea to buy 2,000 acres of prime land and began to develop it with the financial help of Hamilton Cotton. Hanson’s idea was to create a quiet, tranquil beach town away from the hustle and bustle of major cities such as LA. His idea proved to work as people began to purchase property and build their own Spanish-styled houses, which can be found throughout the city today.

Down towards the South end of town is an exclusive beach community called Cotton’s Point - named after non-other than Hamilton Cotton. This area of town is famous for its surf spots and history of housing former President Richard Nixon.