San Clemente, California

San Clemente is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 63,522 at the 2010 census. Located on the California Coast, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego at the southern tip of the county, it is known for its ocean, hill, and mountain views, a pleasant climate and its Spanish Colonial style architecture. San Clemente's city slogan is "Spanish Village by the Sea". The official city flower is the Bougainvillea; the official city tree, the Coral.

History

Early colonization

Prior to colonization by Spaniards, the area was inhabited by the Juaneño native people. Long admired by explorers and passing settlers, it remained virtually uninhabited until 1776, when Mission San Juan Capistrano was established by Father Junipero Serra, which led both Indian and Spanish settlers to establish villages nearby. After the founding of Mission San Juan Capistrano, the local natives were conscripted to work for the mission.

Becoming a city

San Clemente station

San Clemente is a station on the Inland Empire-Orange County and Orange County Lines of the Metrolink commuter rail system around Los Angeles, California.

Platforms and tracks

See also

External links

Isola di San Clemente

Isola di San Clemente (Saint Clement Island) is a small island in the Venetian Lagoon in Italy. Since 1131 it has been used to house pilgrims and crusaders, plague victims, monks, soldiers, the mentally ill and stray cats. It is now the site of a luxury hotel.

Location

San Clemente Island lies in the Venetian Lagoon between San Marco and the Lido. The island covers 6 hectares (15 acres), of which four are parkland with linden, cypress, elm and nettle trees. The island was first settled in 1131. In the years that followed the island was the point of departure for pilgrims and soldiers destined for the Holy Land.

Hospice and monastery

The first stone of the building complex on San Clemente that included a church and a pilgrim's hospice was placed and blessed by Enrico Dandolo, the Patriarch of Grado, in 1141. Construction was funded by one Pietro Gattilesso, perhaps to atone for his sins: his nickname was "the Robber". In 1165 the hospice was opened for soldiers and pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. It was run by Augustine canons. In 1288 the relics of Saint Anianus were brought to the island. In the period that followed less is recorded about San Clemente.