SAN CLEMENTE

city, Orange county, southern California, U.S. It lies along the Pacific Ocean, midway between San Diego and Los Angeles. Founded in 1925 as a real-estate development, the site was named for offshore San Clemente Island, which was named by the Spanish explorer Sebastin Vizcano to honour St. Clement. Chiefly residential, the city gained national prominence in 1969 when President Richard M. Nixon purchased property there for use as a summer White House. Nearby are San Clemente State Beach, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and Information Center, and Camp Pendleton (a U.S. Marine base). Inc. 1928. Pop. (1990) 41,100.