Jim Kempton has lived in San Clemente for 46 years, having moved to the city in 1977 and purchasing his first home—an Ole Hanson beach cottage—for $75,000. He relocated from Point Loma in San Diego to take a position at Surfer Magazine in Capistrano Beach, a move that solidified his love for San Clemente.
Jim’s career in media, publishing, and the surf industry is extensive. He served as Editor and Publisher of Surfer Magazine; Publisher at TransWorld Publications; Marketing Director at Quiksilver Inc.; Media Director for Billabong USA; and President of the California Surf Museum. He has written four books and served as a screenwriter for four films. In addition to serving on the Board of the Friends of San Clemente Foundation, he is President of the California Surf Museum, an advisor on the SIMA Advisory Board, and a Director with the San Diego Museum Council.
Jim considers San Clemente the best city on the planet—celebrating its world-class surf, ideal weather, close-knit friendships, distinctive architectural style, and small-town atmosphere. He has served on the Friends of San Clemente Foundation for four years, viewing it as a meaningful way to give back to a community that has given so much to his family.
Jim has been married for 43 years and has three children. He enjoys surfing, writing for local newspapers, camping with his kids, cooking, traveling, coaching soccer, authoring books, studying history, and listening to music. His favorite teams include the Minnesota Vikings, the L.A. Lakers, and the San Clemente Tritons. Born on Guam and raised in the South Pacific, he has also lived in Europe and holds an MBA in International Business from California Western University.
His favorite foods are anything Asian; his favorite musicians include Van Morrison, Fredric Chopin, and Miles Davis; his favorite San Clemente Park is Trestles; and, as he puts it, his favorite “good old days” are now.
Jim Kempton has lived in San Clemente for 46 years, having moved to the city in 1977 and purchasing his first home—an Ole Hanson beach cottage—for $75,000. He relocated from Point Loma in San Diego to take a position at Surfer Magazine in Capistrano Beach, a move that solidified his love for San Clemente.
Jim’s career in media, publishing, and the surf industry is extensive. He served as Editor and Publisher of Surfer Magazine; Publisher at TransWorld Publications; Marketing Director at Quiksilver Inc.; Media Director for Billabong USA; and President of the California Surf Museum. He has written four books and served as a screenwriter for four films. In addition to serving on the Board of the Friends of San Clemente Foundation, he is President of the California Surf Museum, an advisor on the SIMA Advisory Board, and a Director with the San Diego Museum Council.
Jim considers San Clemente the best city on the planet—celebrating its world-class surf, ideal weather, close-knit friendships, distinctive architectural style, and small-town atmosphere. He has served on the Friends of San Clemente Foundation for four years, viewing it as a meaningful way to give back to a community that has given so much to his family.
Jim has been married for 43 years and has three children. He enjoys surfing, writing for local newspapers, camping with his kids, cooking, traveling, coaching soccer, authoring books, studying history, and listening to music. His favorite teams include the Minnesota Vikings, the L.A. Lakers, and the San Clemente Tritons. Born on Guam and raised in the South Pacific, he has also lived in Europe and holds an MBA in International Business from California Western University.
His favorite foods are anything Asian; his favorite musicians include Van Morrison, Fredric Chopin, and Miles Davis; his favorite San Clemente Park is Trestles; and, as he puts it, his favorite “good old days” are now.
