How to Visit Dana Point, California
Dana Point, California, located midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, offers many recreational activities for visitors. Dana Point is located on the Pacific Ocean and has its own harbor, making it a popular destination for water activities. Visitors can swim, surf, fish, whale-watch, jet ski or kayak. The town also has a highly regarded golf course and is home to the Ocean Institute, an organization dedicated to the study of marine life. Due to its temperate Southern California climate, the town draws visitors year-round.
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Instructions
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Spend the day at the beach. Dana Point has several beaches open to the public and one state beach. Doheny State Beach features a sandy beach, restrooms, picnic areas, snack bar, picnic tables, grills, 120 campsites and a visitor’s center. Other beaches in the area include Salt Creek Beach Park, Strands Beach, Dana Point Marine Life Refuge and Capistrano Beach.
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Hit the golf course. Monarch Beach Golf Links was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and is one of only two oceanfront golf courses in Orange County. The course features practice facilities, a putting green, a golf school, a clubhouse and locker rooms.
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Go on a fishing or whale watching trip. Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching offers 1/2-, 3/4- and full-day fishing and whale-watching trips. Nature lovers will enjoy seeing the dolphins, harbor seals, California Sea lions and whales found in Dana Point Harbor, while fishermen will find halibut, sand and calico bass, yellowtail, dorado and yellowfin and bluefin tuna in the coastal waters. Lantern Bay Charters and Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Safari also offer whale-watching tours.
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Rent a jet ski for the afternoon from Dana Point Jet Ski. Units are launched directly from the company’s private dock just a few minutes away from the open ocean. Although jet ski operators must be at least 16 years old, passengers can be any age. Dana Point Jet Ski also rents single and double kayaks.
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Take the Catalina Express to Catalina Island for the day. The Catalina Express has daily departures from Dana Point and is the only island ferry service to offer year-round service. The ferry to the island takes approximately 1 hour, and ferries run throughout the day.
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Visit the harbor. The harbor is home to 2,500 yachts in two marinas and includes a 1 1/2-mile jetty. When you are finished checking out the boats, head to the shops. Dana Point Harbor stores offer everything from chocolate to jewelry to unique gifts. Seventeen restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, and some are located on the waterfront.
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Explore the Ocean Institute. The Institute specializes in marine and social science programs, focusing on environmental education, maritime history and hands-on marine science programs. The Institute offers programs for schools during the week and is open to the public on weekends.
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Tips & Warnings
Bring water shoes if you will be swimming at Doheny State Beach since it can be rocky in some areas of the water.
