San Clemente in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens

Casa Romantica Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, April 18, 2021

1. Casa Romantica Marker

Inscription. Once home to San Clemente's founder Ole Hanson, the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens serves as the cultural centerpiece of San Clemente and is the only regional historical center in south Orange County. In 1992, the Casa Romantica was added to the National Registry of Historic Places, which serves as the nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. This Spanish Colonial Revival-style home sites on more than 2 acres and is surrounded by an expansive outdoor garden courtyard.

The Casa embodies Ole Hanson's dream to have the whole city be one great park and the architecture all one type. Casa Romantica is open for tours of the historic property, has a galley, and also hosts cultural and educational events for the community. Built in 1928, the Casa Romantica beautifully adorns a costal bluff top that overlooks the San Clemente Pier and represents Ole Hanson's architectural vision for a "Spanish Village by the Sea". To this day San Clemente has kept Ole Hanson's dream of a "Spanish Village by the Sea" alive. Red tiled rooftops, white stucco structures, red tiled sidewalks, and rolling foothills symbolize his dream.

Erected by Pier Pride.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

33° 25.158′ N, 117° 37.248′ W. Marker is in San Clemente, California, in Orange County. It can be reached from San Clemente Beach Pedestrian Trail. Marker is located at the San Clemente Pier. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Clemente CA 92672, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: San Clemente Pier (a few steps from this marker); City of San Clemente Lifeguards (within shouting distance of this marker); San Clemente Island & Catalina Island (approx. 0.2 miles away); La Cristianita (approx. 0.2 miles away); San Clemente World War II Honor Roll (approx. 0.4 miles away); San Clemente (approx. 0.7 miles away); Panhe: Place by the Water (approx. 2.3 miles away); Basilone Road (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Clemente.

San Clemente Pier image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, April 18, 2021

2. San Clemente Pier

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, December 22, 2012

3. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on July 11, 2023, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Closeup photo of the marker text. • Can you help?