We are passionate about our chocolate. Owner and head chocolatier, Kim Maya, crafts her delicacies in her onsite kitchen located in downtown San Clemente. Each truffle and chocolate offering presents an homage to the tradition of chocolate making, conched by hand combining a thoughtful curation of premium ingredients and perfected recipes. Kim and her talented team are pleased to serve excellent chocolates to the local communities of Southern Orange County and our corporate and business customers nationwide.

Support local and women owned businesses. Schmid’s Fine Chocolates is a proud and active member of the San Clemente Downtown Business Association since 2004.

We do custom orders and ship nationwide. Trust your special event, custom gift, corporate event, and business appreciation gifts to the thoughtful hands of Kim and her team of chocolatiers. Call for inquiries. Schmid’s Fine Chocolates of San Clemente at (949) 369-1052.

Schmid’s Legacy

The story of Schmid’s Fine Chocolates begins with Swiss chocolatier Hermann Schmid. Born in Luzern, Switzerland, Hermann apprenticed as a youth under old-world master chocolatiers. He continued to hone and perfect his craft over a fifty-year career in chocolate making. Hermann relocated to Los Angeles where he grew his business of hand-made chocolates to six stores in Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills. The book, The Chocolate Bible, recognized Hermann’s recipes and techniques as “the best” of its time in a comparative rating of fine chocolates nationwide. Hermann ultimately made his home in Southern Orange County when he opened his shop on San Clemente’s own Del Mar Street where it continues to operate under Kim Maya today.

Kim is a long-established local to San Clemente. With a keen devotion to local businesses and Hermann’s chocolates, Kim shifted course from proven business professional to small business owner as Hermann was preparing to retire. Hermann understood Kim possessed an innate appreciation for the art of fine chocolatery and the merit to ensure continued success of his life’s craft. When Kim bought the shop, Hermann stayed on to train her the gourmet recipes and old-world techniques of fine chocolate making. Ever since, Kim has continued to seek tutelage and inspired instruction of the nation’s most renowned chocolatiers.

Today, this legacy is felt the moment you step foot in front of the shop. The display case hosts an abundance of wonderful chocolate curations which lead your eye through the storefront windows. A cozy environment lures you in and delights your senses with the notion of an old-world chocolate shop. Old fashioned bells announce your entrance as Kim and her team emerge from the kitchen to offer you a neighborly welcome. With pride, these chocolatiers assist you in hand selecting the perfect gift or treat. Assortments of fresh truffles, hand-dipped fruits, caramels, creams, and other specialty chocolate offerings are nestled into beautiful packaging and, if so desired, wrapped with a bow. Unique, local, and ultimately delicious, this is how procuring a box of chocolates should be.