Spanish Colonial Revival house with a tile roof in historic San Clemente Neighborhood near Broadway and Alvenon, Tucson

San Clemente Neighborhood: Charm and Location

Last Updated on July 10, 2024 by Kim Labriola

About San Clemente Neighborhood

San Clemente is a historic neighborhood in central Tucson that was mostly built between 1930 – 1959. The homes here feature several styles of architecture including Spanish Colonial Revival, Pueblo Revival, Southwestern, Mission Revival, and several types of Ranch styles.

Lusk Corporation, a prominent Tucson home builder in the 1950s and 1960s, built at lease 42 ranch-style homes in the neighborhood.

In addition to single family homes, there are also historic condominiums and apartments in the neighborhood.

Homes for Sale in San Clemente Neighborhood

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Tour 4 historic Tucson neighborhoods, including San Clemente
Ranch style home with white painted brick and a shingle hip roof in San Clemente historic district in Tucson Arizona
Ranch style home with white painted brick and a shingle hip roof in San Clemente neighborhood.

Origins of the neighborhood name

The name San Clemente was chosen to evoke the romantic feeling of the coastal town in Southern California. Many of the streets also have Spanish names to continue the theme.

Historic Condos and Apartments: Randolph House and The Ivy

Most of the homes in San Clemente neighborhood are single family, however a charming condominium complex called Randolph House (c. 1949), and a handsome apartment complex called The Ivy (c. 1955) are also contributing historic properties. The post-war housing boom required some higher density building, in addition to single family homes and these are 2 excellent examples.

Randolph House is a condominium complex located in San Clemente historic district. The community features lush grounds meticulously maintained by the HOA.
Randolph House is a condominium complex located in San Clemente historic district. The community features lush grounds with olive trees and crepe myrtle bushes meticulously maintained by the HOA.
The Ivy Apartments are red brick 2 story midcentury apartment buildings within the San Clemente historic district
The Ivy apartments are contributing properties to the historic district, dating back to 1955.

Although not technically within the neighborhood, Eden Roc Gardens, a 1960s midcentury modern condo complex is worth a mention here. It’s just south of the neighborhood on Timrod Street, adjacent to the DoubleTree Hotel. It was designed by Tucson architecture firm Swaim and Cook. These condos feel more spacious than the square footage suggests. And the Moai fountain in the front is a real treat!

This Moai head fountain is a focal point at Eden Roc Gardens, a 1960s midcentury modern community featuring split face concrete block construction.
This Moai head fountain is a focal point at Eden Roc Gardens, a 1960s midcentury modern community featuring split face concrete block construction. This neighborhood is just south of San Clemente.

Interested in buying or selling a unique home in the Tucson area? We can help! Contact us at Hello@RealTucson.com or 520-975-8956


Street layout

San Clemente neighborhood is laid out with a combination of curvilinear and rectilinear streets. The curvilinear streets were influenced by nearby El Encanto Estates and Colonia Solana neighborhoods and were a direct result of the automobile being a more popular form of transportation. However, the later portions of the neighborhood were planned with rectilinear streets for more efficient use of the available land and to allow wider lots for wider ranch style homes that were increasingly popular after WWII.

The curvilinear streets allowed for a nice little park on the northwestern part of the neighborhood. This park was originally known as ‘El Parque Triangulo’. The neighborhood also features several round-abouts in the center of intersections with metal artwork or benches for taking a rest while visiting neighbors on a walk.

The neighborhood features a small park with large shady trees, grassy space to play some frisbee, and picnic tables.
The neighborhood features a small park with large shady trees, grassy space to play some frisbee, and picnic tables. An excellent destination for walking your dog.

Where is San Clemente Neighborhood Located?

San Clemente neighborhood is bounded by Broadway Boulevard to the north, Columbus Boulevard to the east, Timrod Street to the south, and Alvernon Way to the west.


Adjacent to Reid Park

San Clemente is located directly east of Reid Park and Randolph Dell Urich Golf Course. Reid Park features a walking/jogging/biking path that loops the 1-mile square park. Reid Park offers many amenities including a zoo, Hi-Corbett baseball stadium, 2 ponds, an outdoor amphitheater, several playgrounds, a dog park, a driving range, golf course, tennis courts, pickleball, ball fields, recreation center with classes, and much more.

One of at least 2 little free libraries in San Clemente.
One of at least 2 little free libraries in the neighborhood.

Nearby Shopping and Other Services

The neighborhood is also close to El Con shopping center and Broadway Village, a Joesler designed shopping center. The neighborhood is convenient to University of Arizona, without being too close, and a short drive to downtown. DoubleTree hotel is directly south of the neighborhood, a convenient place for out-of-town guests to stay. Many popular restaurants are nearby.

There is a fire station located at the southern edge of the neighborhood which was designed by modernist Tucson architect William Wilde.

Well maintained, attractive ranch style home in San Clemente historic district
Well maintained, attractive ranch style home in San Clemente historic district. Ranch style homes are often long and low.

Interested in buying or selling a historic property in the Tucson area? Contact us today: Hello@RealTucson.com or 520-975-8956


Prominent Past Residents

San Clemente neighborhood has been home to a few prominent residents over the years. Evo and Ora DeConcini owned a home on Whittier Street. Mr DeConcini was an Arizona Supreme Court Judge. They were also the parents of former Arizona Senator Dennis DeConcini.

Another well-known resident was Bernard J Friedman, a prominent Tucson architect who lived on Cooper Street. Friedman was a partner of Friedman & Jobusch who designed many commercial and residential buildings throughout Tucson including the iconic Chase Bank at Broadway and Country Club.

This ranch style home with a clay tile roof in San Clemente has a lot of curb appeal
This ranch style home with a clay tile roof in San Clemente has a lot of curb appeal

What I Love About San Clemente Neighborhood

  • Convenient location! Close, but not too close to University of Arizona
  • Charming homes and lots of mature landscaping
  • Combination of quaint single-family homes and historic condos for every price point
  • Close to Reid Park, a convenient place to get some exercise
  • Curvy streets with irregular shaped lots
The large majority of the homes in San Clemente are a type of ranch, which was the most popular post-war style
The large majority of the homes in San Clemente are a type of ranch, which was the most popular post-war style
Video featuring San Clemente neighborhood in Tucson

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