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Dana Point is a coastal city in southern Orange County, set on bluffs and coves along the Pacific about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. It is named for Richard Henry Dana Jr., who sailed here in 1835 aboard the brig Pilgrim and described crews tossing cattle hides off the steep headland in his classic book Two Years Before the Mast. For more than a century the area stayed quiet, with a small community in the 1920s and the beaches beloved by early surfers.
The modern city took shape after Dana Point Harbor was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s, creating a marina sheltered by a long breakwater beneath the cliffs. Dana Point incorporated in 1989 and today is home to around 33,000 people, with homes spread across the bluffs, a growing Lantern District downtown of restaurants and shops, and resorts overlooking the sea.
Dana Point calls itself the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World, and boats leave the harbor year-round to see dolphins, gray whales in winter and blue whales in summer. Doheny State Beach offers gentle surf and picnic lawns, Salt Creek Beach is a favorite of surfers and sunset watchers, and the Dana Point Headlands protect clifftop trails with sweeping ocean views. The Ocean Institute in the harbor teaches visitors about the sea, while the Festival of Whales and the Tall Ships Festival bring crowds to the waterfront.
Dana Point Harbor is a busy marina below steep bluffs, with shops, seafood restaurants, boat and paddleboard rentals, sportfishing and whale watching docks, and a statue of author Richard Henry Dana. Walk the island side for quieter views. Parking is free in most harbor lots, though weekends get crowded.
Dana Point calls itself the dolphin and whale watching capital of the world, with boats leaving the harbor year round. Gray whales pass from December to April, while blue whales are seen in summer and dolphins nearly any day. Book with a harbor operator, bring a jacket, and take seasickness tablets if needed.
Doheny State Beach sits at the mouth of San Juan Creek beside Dana Point Harbor, with gentle surf ideal for beginner surfers, grassy picnic areas, volleyball courts, tide pools and a popular beachfront campground. A day-use fee applies. Check water quality postings near the creek mouth before swimming.
Salt Creek Beach is a county beach below the Monarch Beach resort area, known for good surf breaks, a grassy park on the bluff and paths down to the sand. It is a lovely spot for sunsets. Paid parking is at the lot on Pacific Coast Highway, and the walk down and back up is fairly steep.
Strands Beach is a long, sandy beach below the Dana Point Headlands, reached by a public funicular or stairs from the parking lot on Selva Road. It is popular for surfing, walking and sunsets with views of the headlands. The funicular is free, and the city lot nearby has metered parking.
Baby Beach is a calm, protected beach inside the west end of Dana Point Harbor, with almost no waves, making it perfect for small children, paddleboarding and kayaking. It has picnic areas, restrooms and grassy lawns. Parking is free nearby, and it is a great place to try paddling for the first time.
The Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area protects coastal bluffs and sage scrub above the harbor, with a short trail to an overlook and the Nature Interpretive Center explaining local plants and wildlife. Views stretch along the coast. Trails are short and easy, and dogs are not allowed in the preserve.
The Ocean Institute in Dana Point Harbor is a marine science education center with labs, aquariums, touch tanks and a research vessel, plus historic tall ship programs. Its public hours and weekend programs suit families. Check the website for current open days and boat trips, as many programs are for school groups.
The Lantern District is Dana Point's walkable town center along Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado Avenue, with restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, boutiques and galleries. Its streets are named for historic lantern colors. Park once in the free public lots, and walk to the harbor overlooks a few blocks away.
Monarch Beach Golf Links is a public 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., set on the oceanfront next to Salt Creek Beach with ocean views from many holes. It is one of Orange County's most scenic courses. Book tee times ahead, and expect higher greens fees on weekends.
The Festival of Whales is Dana Point's annual celebration of the gray whale migration, held over two weekends in early March. It features a parade, street fair, whale watching trips, concerts and kids activities around the harbor. Book whale cruises early, and use the free shuttles to avoid parking hassles.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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