Casa Romantica

Resting on the cliffs of San Clemente, Casa Romantica wakes up to the intoxicating shades of the Pacific Ocean. Tucked away in Southern California, this gem sits quietly guarded by the San Clemente villa and the town’s Spanish casitas. This hidden jewel, which once served as the summer home for the town’s developer is without pretension a California treasure.  

I was in San Clemente just for the weekend, but I knew as soon as I parked by the beach to watch the sunset, that the weekend wouldn’t be enough—for not many places have had the ability to shuffle my plans and intentions as San Clemente had. 

San Clemente is the last of Orange County’s Pacific coast cities. It sits to the west of California’s Interstate Highway 5, far enough to the south to be out of Los Angeles, but also not too far from its conveniences. The town is mostly known for its surfing community and for the cool, laid back lifestyle, of it’s inhabitants. 

The great weather and outdoor life, together with the diverse cuisine, charming inns and happy nightlife, gives the city just enough flavor to make it attractive, without being pretentious.

A stay in San Clemente demands a stroll through town and as I walked on Avenida Del Mar and visited a few shops, I was lucky to chat with a darling clerk at the jewelry boutique who wasn’t shy about sharing how she ended up in San Clemente. 
“I came for a visit, and decided to move here,” she told me with a sincere smile that made me feel like I, too, was 18 again. Perhaps I shall do the same, my mind contemplated. I soon found out that she was not the first one to swiftly diverge and make San Clement her home. 

Ole Hanson, a well-known politician, public speaker and developer of his time, passed by the warm and sunny Southern California site and decided to invest in it. Hanson, not only developed the land, but had a grand master plan. Ole’s vision was to keep the natural topography of the land while incorporating the charming Spanish style from the neighboring south in his dreams for his newfound land. Hanson was able to create a perfect piece or art, and after three years of ongoing development Ole’s canvas was inaugurated and on February 27, 1928 San Clemente became a town.

Casa Romantica was Ole Hanson’s San Clemente home. He shared it with his wife, children and friends. The Casa was designed by Carl Lindblom and together, him and Ole created a stunning villa by the sea. Ole, friends and family enjoyed the incredible site for a few years but with The Great Depression, Ole Hanson lost his dream home and the magnificent view, but his vision remained carved on the hills above the Pacific. His casa passed through a few hands before becoming San Clemente’s Cultural Center and gardens, offering the town, its community, and visitors an unforgettable experience. 

Walking through the keyhole shaped entry door of Casa Romantica, the first thing to call my attention was the vibrant tile work covering the floor under the arched walkways. The colorful, intricate tile, contrasted with the white walls of the “casa” making for a statement of life and passion. The outdoor fireplace room attached to the home, made me wish it was cold and that a warm, glowing fire was burning, but my thoughts were discreet and I kept on walking. The atrium, at the center of the casa, although very Romanesque, did not clash with the surrounding rooms; it supported them giving the casa a charming, subtle grandeur. The arched doors, leading to the view of the Pacific, played peekaboo with me—they teased me enough that I finally rushed past them to the veranda and almost fell to my knees. The view! The view took my breath away.

I drifted across the veranda and marveled at the view of sparkling ocean. The magenta bougainvillea, supporting and surrounding the property’s edge, complimented the shades of blue. It was surreal. From there I could see San Clemente’s pier.
I surrendered to a perfectly placed bench, and sat lost in the beauty of the present and flashes of the past. I imagined Ole, his family and friends enjoying the view and I was jealous but for a moment—because now I was the one lucky enough to take in the peace and beauty that surrounded me. 

I was finally pulled back by the heat of the midday sun. 

Reluctantly,I rose and made my way out of the casa marveling its well-cared gardens and paths. And, as I left Ole’s dream behind me and walked to the pier, I promised myself to return. 

It has been quite some time now, and the casa, still there facing the Pacific, waiting for me.