The city of Dana Point is located in southern Orange County, California. Well known for its proximity to the ocean, as well as for having one of the only harbors in the Orange County area, Dana Point is a popular surf spot for Orange County residents. The city offers a truly unique, waterfront experience for anyone who loves the sea. The population exploded in the 1990s, before leveling off at roughly 35,000 inhabitants.
Dana Point offers a number of luxury housing options for those who want to live right on the water’s edge, as well as more affordable options throughout the city. As a popular spot for residents across Orange County, Dana Point usually has plenty of visitors and tourism, making it a great spot for small business owners, as well as recreation enthusiasts.
Those interested in learning more about the local habitat can visit the Ocean Institute found in the harbor, as well as explore the local tidal pools where visitors can get a close-up view of ocean life at low tide. If you love the sea, Dana Point is the perfect place to spend your time – snorkelers, surfers, fishermen and boating enthusiasts all have a place to enjoy their various ocean-bound hobbies within Dana Point and the adjacent harbor.
Dana Point’s most recognizable feature is its beaches, and there are a number of options for Orange County residents who want to enjoy a day on the water. One such option, Doheny State Beach, is a protected beach located within Dana Point. Doheny State Beach is a popular surf spot for locals and has actually been featured in several surf rock songs, including the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ USA.” The park is open year-round and offers interpretive education programs pertaining to local marine life, as well as programs on local wildlife, water quality, and even Native American studies.
Salt Creek Beach Park is another popular surfing spot in Orange County, California. The beach’s offshore reef helps to create some of the best-left swells within the coast. Along with surfing, Salt Creek Beach Park is a popular destination for swimming and sunbathing. The park also contains a tidepool that is open for exploration. Many events are hosted at the park, including seasonal concerts and the OC Parks Sunset Cinema Series.
Finally, Dana Wharf offers a number of unique experiences for Orange County residents, including whale watching, dolphin tours, sportfishing, a wine cruise, and a number of other special events throughout the year. Dana Wharf also offers private whale watching charters, and even parasailing for those interested.
Conservation is an important part of life in Dana Point, and no area highlights that mentality quite like the Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area. 68 acres of the Headlands is open to the public, featuring a nature interpretive center where visitors can educate themselves on local conservation efforts. The Headlands also contain a number of nature trails, many of which exhibit “lost plants of the Southern California Coast.” The conservation area contains over 150 flora and fauna that are native to Southern California.
The Dana Point Headlands are comprised of four conservation parks: The Harbor Point Conservation Park, South Strands Conservation Park, Dana Point Preserve and Hilltop Conservation Park. The primary purpose of these parks and the greater Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area is to preserve the integrity of these environments so that the native plant and animal life can continue to flourish.
Dana Point also offers a variety of cultural celebrations for residents and visitors alike. Some of the cultural events held at Dana Point include the Festival of Whales (an ongoing event since the early ’70s), the Tall Ships Festival, an automotive charitable event known as the Dana Point Concours d’Elegance, and an annual bike race. The Dana Point Symphony also occasionally performs musical concerts which often feature guest soloists.
