About Caterina’s
Est. 1990, on the tile.
The hand-tiled “Caterina’s” sign has marked this corner of Avenida Victoria for over three decades — a few steps from the sand.
The idea
An Italian cafe, a California pier.
Caterina's is an Italian cafe across from the San Clemente Pier serving breakfast, lunch, espresso, sandwiches, paninis, pizza, flatbreads, gelato, smoothies, chocolates and desserts. Gelato is made in house daily. Great ocean and sunset views from our outdoor patio. We also offer a large selection of beer and wine.
The menu runs the length of the day on purpose — espresso and breakfast paninis when the pier is quiet in the morning, then sandwiches, wood-fired flatbreads and pizza through the afternoon, and gelato, chocolates, beer and wine as the light turns gold over the water.
What we believe
Slow mornings, golden evenings.
Gelato, Made Fresh Daily
Every flavor in the case — from fig & walnut to honey lavender — is made in house each morning, the old-fashioned Italian way.
Sunrise to Sunset
Open 7 AM to 9 PM, every day — espresso and breakfast paninis at dawn, gelato and beer or wine as the sun goes down over the pier.
Right Across from the Pier
Our patio looks straight down Avenida Victoria to the San Clemente Pier — one of the best sunset seats in town.
Est. 1990
A San Clemente fixture for over three decades, still known for its hand-tiled storefront and the same handmade gelato case.
Behind the counter
Made by hand, every morning.
Gelato is churned in house daily, pastries come out of the oven before the pier wakes up, and the espresso bar has been pulling shots the same way since 1990.
Behind the scenes
A little glimpse in.
