San Clemente Neighborhoods / Forster Ranch
Living in Forster Ranch, San Clemente
Hillside homes with ocean and city-light views, a ridgeline trail, and no Mello-Roos.
Updated October 23, 2026 · Jacob Hazzard, Luxre Realty
1970s
First homes built
~20
Single-family tracts
5
Condo communities
3.2 mi
Ridgeline Trail
~2 mi
To the beach
None
Mello-Roos bonds
About Forster Ranch
Forster Ranch spreads across the rolling hills of San Clemente, about two miles from the beach. The first homes went up in the early 1970s, with major expansions in the mid-1980s and early 2000s. Today it's made up of about twenty single-family tracts and five condo communities, a few of them gated, and many homes have panoramic views thanks to the hills.
Local tip: I grew up in Forster Ranch starting in 2001, and some of my best memories are from these streets and parks. It's a neighborhood I know inside and out.
Why People Move to Forster Ranch
Views
The rolling hills give many homes panoramic views, and some sit tucked away from central San Clemente
Ridgeline Trail
A 3.2-mile trail from the Camino Vera Cruz entrance with ocean and city-light views
“Pirate Park”
Forster Ranch Community Park sits next to Truman Benedict Elementary and Bernice Ayer Middle School
Community amenities
HOA pools and spas, tennis courts, clubhouses, walking paths, and small parks
Golf nearby
Shorecliffs Golf Club is a short distance from the western communities
No Mello-Roos
Ruby Home reports no Mello-Roos bonds and no homes on leased land
Types of Homes
Single-family homes
Most of the housing; strong Spanish influence with brick and stonework, red tile roofs, and lush landscaping
Condos & townhomes
Five condo communities; Del Cabo has some of the largest townhomes in San Clemente
Gated enclaves
A few of the communities are gated
Forster Ranch Home Prices
Median sale price
$1,819,367
3 months ending June 2026, +4.0% YoY
Source: Redfin
Median list price
$2,074,000
8 active listings, Oct 17, 2026
Source: Ruby Home
Avg. list price per sq ft
$829
Active listings, Oct 17, 2026
Source: Ruby Home
Listed prices, Oct 17, 2026 (Ruby Home)
Median $2,074,000
- Median sale price: $1,819,367 over the three months ending June 2026, up 4.0% from a year earlier (Redfin)
- Homes sold in June 2026: 33, up from 29 a year earlier (Redfin)
- Active listings on October 17, 2026: 8, from $1,595,000 to $7,900,000 and 1,480 to 8,594 sq ft (Ruby Home)
Sale prices are what homes actually closed for; list prices are what sellers are currently asking. They come from different sources and periods.
Want a valuation for a specific Forster Ranch home?HOA & Taxes
- Community HOAs maintain the grounds and common areas; dues vary by tract
- Ruby Home reports no Mello-Roos bonds in Forster Ranch; still confirm on the tax bill for any specific home
Getting Around
- About two miles from San Clemente’s beaches
- The Ridgeline Trail starts at the Camino Vera Cruz entrance
Schools
Forster Ranch is in Capistrano Unified School District. Depending on the address, elementary is Truman Benedict or Marblehead, middle school is Bernice Ayer or Shorecliffs, and high school is San Clemente High. Always confirm the assigned schools for a specific address with the district.
Forster Ranch FAQ
Does Forster Ranch have Mello-Roos?
Ruby Home reports that Forster Ranch has no Mello-Roos bonds and no homes on leased land. Confirm on the tax bill for any specific home.
How much do homes cost in Forster Ranch?
Redfin reported a median sale price of $1,819,367 for the three months ending June 2026. On October 17, 2026, Ruby Home reported 8 active listings with a median list price of $2,074,000.
What is there to do in Forster Ranch?
The 3.2-mile Ridgeline Trail, Forster Ranch Community Park ("Pirate Park"), HOA pools, tennis courts, and clubhouses, with Shorecliffs Golf Club nearby.
More San Clemente Neighborhoods
Talega
Newer master-planned homes, miles of trails, and a golf course, a few minutes inland from the beach.
Pier Bowl
Walk to the pier, the beach trail, and the train, in the heart of the original "Spanish Village by the Sea."
Rancho San Clemente
Hillside tracts with canyon and ocean views, a ridgeline trail, and big parks close by.
Marblehead
Mostly gated hillside enclaves with ocean views, from condos to custom estates.
Sea Summit
Newer homes on the coastal bluffs, with a private clubhouse, trails down to the beach, and the Outlets next door.
Shorecliffs
Classic 1960s single-family homes near the beach, next to a golf course, with a private beach club.
Cyprus Shore & Cyprus Cove
Two neighboring guard-gated communities sharing one entrance, with private beach access facing Trestles.
Broadmoor
Single-story 1970s homes on big lots in the hills above town, close to downtown and the high school.
Misty Ridge
Custom 1980s homes on a quiet ridge with panoramic ocean views, minutes from downtown.
Sea Ridge Estates
A small gated enclave of 1990s villa-style homes on one of the highest points in San Clemente.
Sea Pointe Estates
A 24/7 guard-gated hillside community of custom homes with views to Catalina.
Southeast San Clemente
Hillside homes east of the 5 around the municipal golf course, close to the beaches near Trestles.
Jacob Hazzard is as good as it gets! He found the exact type of niche property we were looking for
Thinking About Forster Ranch?
I grew up in San Clemente and am happy to walk you through any home or street in Forster Ranch, no pressure.
Jacob Hazzard, REALTOR® | CA DRE# 02222037 | Luxre Realty