Fun Things To Do In Dana Point
Dana Point Harbor
Within the one and one-half mile jetty of the Dana Point Harbor, lie two marinas housing over 2500 boats. Dana Point Harbor also offers guest boat slips, a fuel dock, a shipyard, a launch ramp, boat rentals, picnic areas, and a baby beach. There are two yacht clubs, yacht sales, and a sailing association. There are also plenty of restaurants and specialty shops located within Dana Harbor. Fishing, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, and paddle boarding are among the popular water sports at the harbor. You can also catch the Catalina Express to Avalon from Dana Harbor.
Beaches
Capistrano Beach Park in South Dana Point, offers volleyball courts, basketball courts, and cycling. During the summer, the concession stand is open. 35001 Beach Road.
Doheny State Beach is over one mile long and is popular with the surfers and swimmers. When the tide is low, the tidepools are exposed as well. Doheny also has a campground with 121 campsites, 170 picnic tables, and 99 barbecue grills.
25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Salt Creek Beach Park is another popular beach for surfers and swimmers, due to the offshore swell creating reef. There are restrooms, outside showers, and a paved parking area. During the spring and summer months, Salt Creek Beach has a concession stand offering some food items and beach supplies. 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway
Dana Strand Beach Dana Strand Beach is a public beach that lies right in front of the gated housing development called The Strand. This is another popular surfing and sunbathing beach. Dana Strand Road.
Ocean Institute
The Ocean Institute is an education center that offers marine science, maritime history, as well as outdoor education programs. Both tall ships, the Pilgrim and the Spirit of Dana Point, are maintained here by the Ocean Institute. Visitors can purchase tickets to go whale watching on their 65-foot research vessel, The Sea Explorer. The Ocean Institute’s Lorena G Chambers Gallery Book and Gift Shop is open 7 days a week 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Visit the Dana Point Lantern District
The Dana Point Lantern District holds events such as car shows and art walks. Please check their website for upcoming events. There are many shops and restaurants in the Lantern District as well.
Sea Terrace Community Park
The Sea Terrace Community Park is at Niguel and Pacific Coast Highway. There is a walkway that runs behind the Dana Point Public Library and along Monarch Beach Golf Course. Sea Terrace offers picnic tables, barbecues, and connects to the Salt Creek Bike Trail and Salt Creek Beach Park through a tunnel that runs under Pacific Coast Highway. The park is open from 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.