Dana Point, California – Orange County’s beach paradise
Dana Point
The beach paradise in Orange County, where you can be as fancy or casual as you want.
Dana Point is a beach town perched on a cliff in south Orange County. It is in a beautiful area halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, and it’s easy to get to all of Southern California’s best sites by car. You can relax in a beach resort or enjoy the famous surfing and sunbathing. Either way, you’ll get away to a beach paradise that is less busy and easy to get to.
Ride the Wave of Surf Culture
Southern California is known for its surf culture, and Dana Point is right in the middle of it all. Among the early surf icons who had a big impact was the “Dana Point Mafia,” which included locals Hobie Alter (who started the Hobie surf brand in 1954), John Severson (who started “Surfer” magazine in 1962), famous surfer Phil Edwards, and filmmaker Bruce Brown (“Endless Summer,” 1966). At Waterman Plaza, you can take selfies with their statues. Go to Doheny State Beach for a surf lesson on waves that are good for beginners, or go to Salt Creek Beach, which was used in the movie “Endless Summer,” to surf. The Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in the nearby city of San Clemente has a great collection of old surfboards, art, and other surf items. Beach bums and surf fans should definitely stop by.
Escape to the Ocean
There are many other fun things to do in the Pacific besides surfing. Take a walk along the beautiful Dana Point Harbor, which has a huge port with 2,500 slips, unique shops, and tempting restaurants by the water. Book a whale and dolphin watching tour to see why Dana Point is known as the “Delphin and Whale Watching Capital of the WorldTM.” You can also sail to Catalina Island to golf, ride horses, hike, shop, and do other fun things. You can also sail, kayak, scuba dive, fish, and do many other water sports.
Local Landmarks
Mission San Juan Capistrano is the seventh of 21 Spanish missions that were built in California between the 17th and 18th centuries. It is known as the “birthplace” of Orange County. The mission celebrates Saint Joseph’s Day and the Return of the Swallows every year on March 19. This is to honor the mission’s favorite bird population. The Ocean Institute has information on the past and ecology of the area’s seas. You can even sail on a model schooner from the 18th century and see the ocean the way explorers did hundreds of years ago. Don’t leave until you’ve hiked in Dana Point Headlands Preserve. The walks offer famous views of the cliffs, ocean, and beach of Dana Point’s famous Headlands, which are covered in lovely wildflowers in the spring.