About Dana Point...

Unlike most cities in South Orange County whose names can be traced to Spanish territorial roots, the city of Dana Point derives its moniker from American author Richard Henry Dana, Jr., who featured a description of the land in his classic 1840 novel Two Years Before the Mast.  It is almost fitting that the city’s name comes from an individual of note, given the history that surrounds this majestic jewel of the South Orange County Coastline.

Dana Point’s roots were planted in 1923 as a seaside real estate development helmed by the Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler and Pacific Electric Railway Company director General H.M. Sherman, the duo responsible for the residential assemblage of the Hollywood Hills.  The community was built up around a concentration that has since been dubbed Lantern Village, a neighborhood marked by streets named after lanterns of different colors.  A few years later oil baron and key Teapot Dome figure Edward Doheny began the development of modern day Capistrano Beach, a seaside community that became part of Dana Point when the city officially incorporated in 1989.  As the decades passed, Dana Point cultivated a sterling reputation as being one of the most scenic coastal cities in the OC.

Indeed, Dana Point gives both its residents and its visitors plenty of opportunities to fully indulge in a spectacular selection of visual wonders.  The most famous natural attraction the city has to offer is the Headlands, a 68 acre section of coastal bluffs replete with walking trails, a nature preserve, open spaces, and Pacific Ocean views that extend from Catalina Island to San Diego on clear days.  The seafaring activity that takes place in the expansive Dana Point Harbor is an integral part of the city; as such, Dana Point finds several ways to celebrate this important part of their community throughout the year.  The most famous ocean-centric activities that Dana Point hosts are the famed Festival of the Whales in March, and the Tall Ships Festival in September.  The former event celebrates the strong bond that Dana Point possesses with these aquatic leviathans, while the latter serves as a showcase for some of the most incredible vessels that grace the ocean’s waters.

Dana Point Harbor
The Harbor houses 2,500 yachts within its two marinas, inside a one-and-a-half mile jetty. The Dana Point harbor facilities include guest slips, a fuel dock, shipyard, launch ramp, boat rentals, yacht sales, fishing, windsurfing, jetskiing, kataking, boat charters, two yacht clubs, sailing association, ocean classroom labs, shops, restaurants, picnicking and a baby beach for young swimmers.

Camping at Doheny Beach
Doheny State Beach is a 62 acre site with over one mile of sandy beach and some of the best swimming and surfing in California. During Low Tide, the tide pools are great for exploring. The campground features 120 developed family campsites and the picnic area has 170 picnic tables and 99 barbecue grills. At the entrance to Doheny there is a visitor center with five aquariums, an indoor tide pool, exhibits, displays, gift shop, and photo history of Doheny surfing days.

For More information:
Park Rangers: (949) 496-6172
Picnic Reservations: (949) 496-3617
Campground Reservations: (800) 444-7275

Capistrano Beach
Enjoy volleyball, basketball and other beach activities. During the summer months, a concession building offers fishing gear rental and sales, food and beverages, and beach supplies.

Salt Creek Beach Park
Salt Creek Park Provides South County residents access to 18 acres of public beaches. The park consists of landscaped parking facility, sandy beaches, rocky promontories, and sheer cliffs. The original ravine canyon locally known as Salt Creek, makes the northerly boundary of the beach. Grading and landscaping have been completed in such a manner as to blend with the natural features, leaving the beach and cliff area basically undisturbed.

Entertainment in Dana Point

Aventura Sailing
(949) 493-9493
www.aventurasailing.com

Captain Dave's Dolphin & Whale Safari™
34675 Golden Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
Phone: (949) 488-2828

Dana Point Boat Parade
www.dphboatshow.com

Dana Wharf Sportfishing
34675 Golden Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
Phone: (949) 496-5794

Festival of Whales
www.festivalofwhales org

Ocean Institute
www.ocean-institute.org