Dana Point is a beautiful beachy suburb of South Orange County where I was lucky enough to grow up. I never really thought about all the things to do in Dana Point until I had already been blogging for many years, and I finally decided to write more about my own hometown!
Dana Point is where the legendary Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip begins, and therefore a perfect starting point for a California Road trip (I also have articles for both those road trips). Dana Point is truly the quintessential trendy surf town with LOTS of beautiful places, great food, and beaches galore.
When I started writing this article, I was visiting home and decided to research, complete, and photograph all the best things to do in Dana Point (well, any that I had not done yet or didn’t have photos of) and it was so much fun!
It’s crazy how much you learn and reflect when you are a tourist in your own city, and I am SURE this Dana Point guide will help YOU plan an amazing trip here. This guide includes Dana Point activities + attractions I grew up knowing and loving, as well as some newer Dana Point things to do that recently came on the scene.
If you are traveling in California, check out a few other relevant articles:
- Fun Things to Do in Orange County (by a Local)
- Things to do in Laguna Niguel (suburb next to Dana Point)
- Unique Places to Stay in California
Go Whale Watching!
Did you know that Dana Point was named the Whale Watching Capital of the World?! Although this title is relatively new, Dana Point has ALWAYS been amazing for whale-watching tours. There are many boats that take off on day tours right from the Harbor.
On Dana Point whale watching tours, you can spot 6+ different types of whales, including the most massive mammal in the world, the blue whale. Dana Point also apparently has more dolphine per square meter than anywhere in the world! If that doesn’t convince you to hop on a boat tour and try your luck at seeing some amazing marine life, I don’t know what will.
Here are some of the best options for Whale watching in Dana Point:
- Captain Dave’s Dana Point Whale Watching + Dolphin Watching Eco Safari: a long-time favorite Dana Point boat tour, Captain Dave’s includes underwater viewing pods, commentary from a naturalist, and a free return guarantee if you don’t spot anything.
- Captain Dave’s High-Speed Zodiac Whale/Dolphin Safari: Like the tour above, but with less people on a smaller, faster zodiac boat. Super fun.
- Dana Wharf Sportfishing + Whale Watching: One of the LONGEST running Dana Point Tour companies who offer Whale watching for a great price, fishing, a sunset/champagne cruises (more on those later).
Surf, Bask, or Picnic at Salt Creek Beach
Visiting Salt Creek Beach + Salt Creek Beach Park are some of the BEST things to do in Dana Point. Salt Creek is Dana Point’s main beach with a plethora of activities to do, too. Many love to take walks along the beach and beach path here or enjoy the outdoors and the water.
Salt Creek is one of the best places to go surfing in Dana Point, with surf breaks at the point, in the middle of the beach (‘middles’) and Monarch Beach. It’s also popular for bodysurfing, bodyboarding, and swimming as the waves crash quite far out more gently and generally don’t have too much undercurrent.
Salt Creek is also a great beach to relax on the sand with friends or throw a picnic on the MASSIVE grassy hill overlooking the beach (which is the best place for sunset in Dana Point). There’s even a half basketball court next to first-come-first-serve picnic tables/BBQ areas where I spent every memorial day from the age of 5 to about 18!
This place is so close to my heart; the very FIRST stop I ever make when I get home to
California is heading here for a sunset beach walk from the beach to the park to the top of the Ritz. It’s magical.
Monarch Beach
Monarch Beach is the name for the northernmost part of Salt Creek Beach. This beach is a bit more secluded and is also serviced with umbrellas and chairs by the Monarch Bay Beach Club at the Monarch Beach Resort (Waldorf Astoria) for guests and members there. You however don’t need to be a member to have a meal here from brunch to dinner!
Visit Dana Strands Beach
Dana Strands Beach, known locally just as ‘Strands,’ is another beautiful Dana Point Beach just around the point from Salt Creek (and around a headland from the Dana Point Harbor). This beach is also great for surfing and bodyboarding, but is more popular for skimboarding due to the angle of the waves.
Strands has historically been a more secluded/less crowded beach, but with massive recent multi-million dollar developments in ‘The Strand’ neighborhood, it’s becoming a bit busier. The beach is still long and gorgeous and perfect for swimming or enrolling in Junior Lifeguards for kids.
Strands is where I did junior lifeguards every summer growing up – I still remember learning to surf here, running along the sand, and doing buoy swims! It’s different with all the mansions these days (it was just bushes when I grew up) but beautiful just the same.
Explore the Dana Point Harbor
The Harbor is one of the main Dana Point attractions that draws visitors from all over. There are LOTS of things to do in Dana Point harbor, from walking the pathways around its edges to the trails up on the bluffs overlooking it, to sailing, boating, shopping, and boarding whale watching tours.
The Dana Point Harbor is the focal point of Dana Point, with many restaurants overlooking the water in the harbor as well (although it will is undergoing a big renovation). But to anyone visiting, one of the most important things to do in Dana Point is to visit the harbor, shop a bit, walk around, and try a restaurant or two before hitting the beach or the Ocean Institute.
They have a Turkey Trot around the entire harbor and island each Thanksgiving with a 5 and 10k, which I have run countless times!
Many enjoy walking along the Dana Point Harbor jetty when the swell isn’t too big, learning how to sail inside the harbor, or even visiting the beach on the other side of the jetty (which used to be the famous ‘Killer Dana’ surf break) and walking around to the Dana Point caves. Read on to learn more about all these things to do!
Do a Kayak + Hiking Tour of Dana Point Harbor
One of the BEST Dana Point activities where you can learn a LOT and also have some outdoor adventures is the Dana Point Kayak + hiking Tour. Here you will meet in the harbor and start with a fun and gentle kayak around the harbor while you enjoy the water, try to spot marine life, and learn about Dana Point’s history.
Afterward you’ll head up onto the Dana Point Headlands, which overlook the harbor you will have just kayaked. This is where your history lessons will continue as you learn about the harbor and tons of fun Dana Point facts while hiking the trails. This is one of the best ways to experience Dana Point in 1 day (not: only available on airbnb at the moment from what I can see).
Enjoy a Mellow Beach Day at Baby Beach
Baby Beach is the tiny, calm beach inside Dana Point Harbor that is, as its name suggests, great for babies (and families and children). The sea inside the harbor is pretty much flat, making it very easy to learn how to swim, float on water toys, paddle board, or simply relax on the sand without the worry of tides and waves.
Baby Beach also has a plethora of picnic tables and public BBQ’s. There’s a grassy area just past the sand (Dana Cove Park) that makes for a perfect event space or summer picnic area. We always launched our kayak from here to paddle over to the sandbar by the jetty!
Learn About the Seas at the Ocean Institute
The Ocean Institute is a staple of Dana Point Harbor and absolutely one of the coolest things to do in Dana Point. This center has dozens of exhibits about everything to do with the ocean, from the animals that live in it to how it works.
They also hold events with live music + food, and run tours around the area such as kayaking in the harbor, tide pool adventures, and beach clean-ups. On weekends they have live workshops and events scheduled to help you learn more about certain marine animals. It’s a great place to go and learn fascinating information about the ocean!
The Chilcote Family Customs House
Just across from the Ocean Institute (and where the historic Pilgrim ship used to be before it sank) is the Chilcote Family Customs House. This old adobe house and wooden barn-type building house the Harbor’s Maritime History Center.
Here, there are tons of old sailing artifacts and memorabilia, and you can learn the history of sailing and how it shaped the area.
Walk the Bluff Top Trail
The Bluff Top Trail is one of the lesser-known Dana Point things to do as it’s a bit hidden at the ends of Violet Lantern and Amber Lantern streets overlooking Dana Point Harbor. It’s a short trail connecting the two streets on the bluff, presenting an incredible vantage point of the Harbor.
The trail has railings and even involves the ‘Dana Point Arches’ covered in flowers, and a bridge over the top of a small slot canyon that would otherwise be difficult to cross. This is a great place to come to enjoy the views with a book or some snacks or check out the The Hide Drogher Statue.
This place is also close to my heart because we took homecoming dance photos here when I was in high school! I love coming here; it will always remind me of that time.
The Hide Drogher Historic Statue
This is a statue of a sailor throwing a hide down the cliff to the beach. Legend says that cow hides were a great trading currency with ships coming through the area.
As described in the book “Two Years Before the Mast” by Richard Henry Dana (considered the founder of Dana Point) they used to throw the hides down the cliff from this area!
Hiking in Hilltop Conservation Park + Dana Point Headlands
Looking out over the harbor, we have the Hilltop Conservation Park and the Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area. Together these protected parks span from Pacific Coast Highway to a lovely view overlooking the harbor, all the way to Dana Strands Beach.
Due to an endangered mouse species found in this area, the trails are only open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday and no dogs are allowed. The views are worth it though, and the trails are short enough that they won’t take long to walk. I think these are some of the best views in Dana Point!
Learn Something New at Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center
At the base of the Dana Point Headlands preserve trail, you will find the Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center. This is the perfect place to begin your adventures in the Headlands area parks + preserves, learn about what kinds of plants and animals are found there, and some history of the area.
This is a good base to park at to explore the headlands trails that has amazing views by itself – but the views will get better; trust me!
Hike to the Pirate Sea Cave
One of the most adventurous things to do in Dana Point is hike around the Dana Point Headlands to the ‘Pirate Sea Cave!’ If you park at the Ocean Institute, you can find the caves easily if you hug the cliffs walking north at low tide – but make sure it’s low tide so you don’t get stuck! It’s a scenic hike for sure; I always used to look for fcool rocks as I walked.
This cool cave has an entrance on one side and opens up to a much bigger cave facing Strands Beach on the other. You can do this on your own, but if you would rather book a super fun tour where you can talk and act like a Pirate, see below!
Take the Catalina Express to Visit Catalina
The famed Catalina Express leaves from its own dock right in the Dana Point Harbor, the only Catalina departure point in South Orange County (the others are Long Beach + San Pedro). This twice-daily fast Ferry to Catalina from Dana Point can get you to Catalina’s main town, Avalon, in around an hour!
Visiting Catalina is one of the BEST day trips from Dana Point as it’s super easy to catch a morning Catalina Express boat, and return on an afternoon one after a fun day under the island sun.
I went to Catalina countless times growing up and loved it every time. From ice cream on the pier to snorkeling through kelp forests or simply relaxing on the beach, it’s worth checking out and the ferry ride is fun too.
Doheny State Beach: Surf, SUP, and Cycle
Doheny State Beach is one of the BEST beaches in Dana Point for recreational activities, surfing, BBQing, park parties, and just all-around fun for the whole family! This is where I learned to surf growing up – the waves are a bit more gentle here and perfect for beginners (and you can rent surfboards, including foam boards, all over the place).
Doheny has a snack bar, copious amounts of green grassy fields, BBQ pits, camping areas, and tables, as well as plenty of room in the waves. There’s also an interpretive center with tide pools and an aquarium (where I used to volunteer for my first-ever job)!
Summer camps sprawl the sand in the summer, which is also a great spot to lay out. The Doheny Blues Festival is also here which is growing in popularity each and every year as one of the top festivals in the US.
Rent Bikes + Pedal Cars at Doheny
Doheny Beach is also famous for having lots of fun vehicles you can rent to ride up and down the beach and along the various trails in the area. Wheel Fun Rentals offers normal bikes, tricycles, and even 4+ person quadricycles for the whole family or group.
Rent a Bike at Synaptic Cycles for the More Serious Cycler
If you’re a more serious cycler, why not have your bike of choice delivered right to your accommodation? Synaptic Cycles Dana Point does just that. They also help you plan out scenic rides around the Dana Point area, as one of the BEST Dana Point things to do is go on different beautiful bike rides. It’s a very bike-friendly city!
Lantern Bay Park – Views + Yoga
Lantern Bay Park is one of the best-known parks in Dana Point due to its amazing views over Doheny Beach + Dana Point Harbor and beautiful shaded picnic areas. There’s a kids’ play structure in the park, ALWAYS a few dozen people running/walking around the park or stairs, and plenty of picnickers enjoying the views. The Laguna Cliffs Marriott looks out over this park.
Lantern Bay Park is also home to my FAVORITE yoga class in the world, I Heart Yoga in the Park. It costs $15 and you lay out your mat on the soft grass for a 1-hour class each morning at 10am and seasonal evenings at 5pm.
Heritage Park + Doris Walker Overlook View
Heritage Park is another scenic park to visit as one of the best Dana Point attractions. Directly across the street from Lantern Bay Park, this very hilly park is home to a small dog park and stairs/sidewalks going up the hill to reach the Doris Walker Overlook. This park looks out over the harbor and is great for relaxing or also doing a workout!
I say doing a workout because this was the most dreaded workout for us on the cross country team in high school; we called it harbor hills. Try running up 5+ consecutive hills 18 times in a row, and let me know what you think!! 😛
Beach Day or BBQ at Capistrano Beach
Capistrano Beach, or “Capo Beach’ as it’s known by most people, is the final beach of Dana Point before you arrive in San Clemente, the next town over. This beach is much more relaxed and generally less crowded. The waves here tend to be more of a shorebreak – there’s not much of a possibility to surf or bodyboard here because of the angle of the waves, but you sure can swim!
This beach is known for the fire pits along its length that are popular for bonfires after sunset, especially in the summer months.
Enjoy Views at Pines Park
Pines Park is a lovely green Park area overlooking Capistrano Beach. It’s a more secluded spot for a picnic or a short walk with epic views and the sound of the waves crashing below you. I had my prom dance pictures here one year and the photos turned out great with a full sea view!
Beach Cities Scuba Diving
Beach Cities Scuba has dive shops all around Orange County including here in Dana Point! There are plenty of great dive sites around Dana Point, Laguna Beach, and San Clemente where you can do a fun dive or even take your PADI courses to become a certified scuba diver. Check out their site here.
Dana Point Parasailing
The views you can get from up high in a parasail are second to none in Dana Point! Dana Point Parasailing will take you flying high over the Harbor and surrounding beaches where you can get a unique view of Dana Point you simply can’t get from land!
Learn How to Sail or Charter a Boat and Go Sailing!
One of the MOST awesome things to do in Dana Point is going sailing! Given that Dana Point is home to one of the largest harbors in the state, MANY locals and visitors enjoy sailing here. Dana Point is a perfect place to learn how to sail, or you can rent a boat, charter a boat, or hire an entire crew for an event! Below are some of the best resources for sailing in Dana Point:
Westwind Sailing: This is the premier sailing school in Dana Point! Can teach sailing to anyone, from young kids sailing camps to adult sailing lessons. Westwind is located near Baby Beach in the harbor and has small boats with bright yellow sails. You can’t miss them!
Riviera Yacht Charter: This is a great company to use for private boat charters for various reasons. Charter a whole boat for scuba diving, spear/sportfishing, events, and more.
Aventura Sailing – Aventura Sailing is a sailing social club that offers social membership, boat racing, social events, yacht charter, and also sailing lessons all in Dana Point.
Dana Point Watersports: Jet Ski, SUP, and More
One of the most fun things to do in Dana Point is to try different watersports – and there are PLENTY to try and many places to do them! Pure WaterSports is located in Doheny and offers rental for jet skis, standup paddle boards, kayaks, and even spearfishing equipment! There’s no excuse not to get out in/under the water here in Dana Point!
Go Fishing
With LOTS of marine life comes GREAT fishing, too! One of the most popular things to do in Dana Point CA is go fishing! Try your hand at catching dinner on both private and group sailing charters. Dana Wharf Sportsfishing and Dana Point Sportsfishing are good resources for fishing.
I Heart Yoga: Yoga in the Park, SUP Yoga, and Studio
Dana Point is home to more than JUST yoga in the park (although I strongly recommend it). I Heart Yoga offers yoga in the park, in the studio, on SUP boards, yoga retreats in Mexico, yoga teacher trainings, yacht yoga, ‘bend and brew’ yoga and beer events, and more!
It used to be donation based, but now they charge $15 a class which is fair for the area. The instructors are great and the classes are fun + challenging.
Golfing at Monarch Beach Golf Links
Dana Point has a fabulous Golf Course that reaches all the way down to Salt Creek/Monarch Beach. It’s a true golfer’s paradise with views throughout and challenging terrain. This 9-hole course is part of the 9FORE9 gold membership and connects to the Waldorf Astoria Resort. Book a tee time here.
Walk the Salt Creek Trail
Along the Monarch Beach Golf Links course, you can find the Salt Creek Trail. This walking/biking path extends from Salt Creek up alongside the golf course alongside a beautiful protected regional park into Laguna Niguel.
Picnic in Sea Terrace Park
If the beach is too crowded, the Sea Terrace Park is right across PCH from Salt Creek and is generally quite empty (besides when hosting concerts for the Blues Festival). If you want to get away from the crowds but still catch some rays, head here.
Or, as a proper local secret, you can park outside the neighborhood here and walk through the park and through the tunnel to get to Salt Creek Beach (instead of paying for parking in the lot)!
Eco-Adventure Center at the Ritz Carlton
If you are lucky enough to stay at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel (located in Dana Point at Salt Creek), they have their own eco-adventure center where you can book different outdoor adventures and tours in the area and learn about Dana Point. Do beach walks, squid dissections, garden/butterfly tours, and more. See what is available here.
Dana Point Farmers Market
Each Saturday, local artisans come together in La Plaza Park (on PCH and Golden Lantern) to sell their products – from fresh produce to crafter hot sauce and from succulents and other plants to homemade jam. The Dana Point Farmers market is a perfect way to spend your Saturday morning chatting with locals and finding treasures.
Sea Canyon Park Getaway
For a truly different Dana Point experience, head to Sea Canyon park. This is a fully residential park located within one of the neighborhoods in Dana Point. There are plenty of picnic tables and shade to find solace on a crowded day. You may see the high school cross country team running laps around, too – that was me back in the day!
Attend one of Dana Point’s Many Seasonal Boat Festivals
With a whale watching capital with a huge harbor comes BOAT FESTIVALS! Dana Point is home to annual festivals celebrating different holidays, animals, boats, and more. Here are the best:
- Dana Point Festival of Whales: This happens each March to celebrate the migration of Grey Whales past Dana Point. It includes parades, events, whale watching, and more.
- Maritime Festival (prev. Tall Ships Fest): At the end of each summer, the Dana Point Tall Ships Festival entails old-style ships dotting the harbor, pirate and cannon fight reenactments, and historic settings depicting Dana Point when it was first settled.
- Dana Point Holiday Boat Parade: Each December, all the boats in Dana Point Harbor (well, the ones that enjoy it) light their boat up with plenty of Christmas Lights and sail them in recession around the harbor. This matches with the Dana Point holiday light show around the harbor, lighting up EVERYTHING in the harbor! Dana point is truly festive.
- Check Out Dana Point Events for upcoming fun activities, live music, special harbor cruises, and more!
Things to EAT in Dana Point: Best Local Restaurants + Drinks from Breakfast to Dinner
Stacks Pancake House is a Dana Point breakfast favorite. Come here for literal STACKS of pancakes and other breakfast/brunch favorites too.
Get Coffee + a Bagel at Coffee Importers
Coffee importers is a harbor favorite. They serve smoothies and sandwiches, but the BEST thing to get is an open-faced bagel with lots of nice toppings. The ‘California Bagel’ is number one – my friends and I used to meet here for breakfast and get this every weekend.
Grab a DELICIOUS Sandwich at Tutor + Spunky’s Deli
These are the BEST sandwiches ever; you’ll thank me later.
Happy Hour at Craft House
Craft House is right on PCH and has amazing food, beers, and cocktails. The best time to go is during their daily happy hour from 3-5 or 4-6 with half-price sharing plates and drinks – pictures here as I enjoyed cocktails and share plates with my parents!
Go Wine Tasting in the Harbor at Frisby Cellars
A newer addition to Dana Point Harbor, Frisby Cellars offers tastings of LOTS of different wines and also has live music + events each weekend.
OC Wine Cruise for Sunset
One of the best things to do in Dana Point at night or in the evening is the OC wine cruise! This cruise by Dana Wharf Sportsfishing (who also do whale watching tours) has been around for years and is a longtime favorite Dana Point attraction. You get wine tasting, cheese, and crackers alongside ocean views and a wine host (with more available for purchase of course).
Other Dana Point Restaurants to Check Out
I’ll write a full article on Dana Point Restaurants soon, but I wanted to keep the list short to just name a few places that fit as the best things to do in Dana Point.
Some other good restaurants are:
- The Schwack (beers + burgers)
- JC Beans (great local cafe)
- El Torito (Mexican food on the harbor – closed during renovation)
- The Chart House (for extra fancy meals)
- StillWater Spirits & Sounds (Happy hours, music, and food)
- Salt Creek Grille (Steak House)
- Peking Dragon (Chinese food that has stood the test of time)
- Gen Kai (great Dana Point Sushi),
- Harbor House Cafe (open 24h with diner food… it’s the best)
Where to Stay in Dana Point
Splurge: The Waldorf Astoria (Prev The St Regis/Monarch Beach Resort)
For a proper Dana Point Splurge, stay at the newly appointed Waldorf Astoria. This resort (which was the St Regis before) looks right out over the Monarch Beach Golf links and has direct access to Salt Creek + Monarch Beaches and the Monarch Beach Bay club. They have restaurants and bars on-site and fantastic service and amenities.
Splurge: Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel
The Ritz Carlton is the most centrally located Dana Point hotel perched perfectly between Salt Creek + Strands Beaches with views of both.
The name still says Laguna Niguel (because the area actually used to be part of Laguna Niguel, and the name stuck with the Ritz as part of the deal), but this is true Dana Point luxury. They have restaurants, a bar with a beautiful view, rooms with amazing views, an eco-center with tours, and more.
Splurge: Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort + Spa
The red roofs of the Laguna Cliffs Marriott are visible from all over Dana Point as this luxurious hotel + Spa is perched overlooking Lantern Bay Park. The location is immaculate, and you can walk to the harbor or Doheny Beach in minutes.
Mid-Range Boutique Hotel: Blue Lantern Inn Dana Point
The Blue Lantern Inn is one of the best Dana Point hotels with a view. This smaller boutique hotel has recently been redone and looks AMAZING. If you are keen for breakfasts on the balcony overlooking the harbor so close it seems you could touch it, for a more affordable price than the above, book this one.
Budget: Camp at Doheny State Beach
For adventurous ones or camping lovers, Doheny State Beach has a wonderful camping area where you can drive RV’s or campers or just pitch up a good old-fashioned tent. It’s a popular stop for vanlifers on their Pacific Coast Highway road trips, and you are steps from the beach.
I hope you enjoted Things to do in Dana Point by a Local and found plenty of activities! Don’t forget to follow me on instagram/tiktok @kimmconn and comment any questions below.
More on Orange County + California:
- Things to Do in Orange County
- Best Beach Hikes in Southen California
- Laguna Beach Hikes + Hiking Trails
- Southern California Road Trips to Try
- California Quotes + Sayings
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.