By Christine Lampert
Article and photos by Christine Lampert, Architect, AIA, NCARB
When San Clemente was built in the 1920s the new town was surrounded entirely by ranch lands. The large ranch to the south would become Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, established in 1942 during World War II.
The land that became the base spans more than 125,000 acres, encompassing mountains, streams, valleys, Southern California’s only free-flowing river, and its longest undeveloped coastline. Native Americans have a rich history on this land. The Acjachemen people lived along San Mateo Creek long before the Spanish arrived in California. They were hunter-gatherers and basket weavers who built tule boats to catch fish and made medicines from native plants. The creek today runs through the base and terminates in the Pacific Ocean at Trestles Beach.
The history of the land is also one of ranches and cattle herding. One of the historic structures still standing is the Las Flores Adobe, which was built in 1864. It is a prime example of “Monterey style” Spanish Colonial architecture. The last family member lived there until 1967. The house was fully restored by the Marines Corps and is now a protected National Historic Landmark.
Today, about 90 bison live and roam free on the base. They have been there since 1973 when the San Diego Zoo gifted the base 14 bison over the period of six years. The herd has grown over the years, and the base maintains a strong program to maintain and protect the bison. California is home to two primary free-ranging conservation bison herds: one at Camp Pendleton and another on Santa Catalina Island.
After World War II, the base leased a large portion of land to many farmers who grew vegetables. These farmers eventually were phased out, but some of their families still live in San Clemente today.
One of the lasting gifts of Camp Pendleton is San Onofre State Beach. This stretch of Southern California coastline became a state park in 1971 when portions of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton were transferred to the state for public recreation and conservation.
During the Vietnam War, 20,000 Vietnamese families were brought to Camp Pendleton. Many of those families ended up living in San Clemente for several years. Anyone who lived in San Clemente in 1975 probably remembers the Alpha Beta grocery store on El Camino Real, which had a large section of Vietnamese food available.
Camp Pendleton spans a vast stretch of undeveloped coastal and inland terrain, from the Pacific Ocean to the mountains in the east. It serves a dual role as one of the largest Marine Corps installations on the West Coast and as one of the largest remaining undeveloped coastal habitats in Southern California.
San Clemente has always welcomed the military families and the many retired veterans who have settled here. Tours are available of the historic Santa Margarita Ranch House and the Marine Corps Mechanized Museum. They must be in groups and can be as large as 50 people. The number to call to reserve a tour is 760-725-5758.
Christine Lampert, Architect, AIA, NCARB