Introduction to Dana Point, California
Dana Point, California, in Orange county, is 3 miles S of Laguna Niguel, California (center to center) and 21 miles SE of Santa Ana, California. It's a scenic community situated along the Pacific Coast and is a popular surfing destination. The Dana Point Harbor is a major feature of the municipality.
Dana Point History
In the early days, Dana Point was a prominent port due to its location between Santa Barbara and San Diego. The Dana Point Syndicate was established in 1926. The organization acquired a vast acreage and began the development of the area. They built 35 homes and numerous commercial buildings. Years later, the rest of the property was sold. In 1928 the Capistrano Beach Company bought a large number of lots and built Spanish style houses in the scenic area.
Dana Point Attractions
- The Tall Ships Festival is a popular event.
- Festival of Whales Parade.
- Summer Concerts.
- Classic Wooden Boat Festival.
- Winter Festival.
- Nautical Heritage Society and Museum.
- The Chloe Luke Overlook provides visitors with excellent ocean views.
Dana Point Activities
The Dana Point Harbor is home to a vast number of boats in its two marinas. The area is popular for kayaking, windsurfing and boating. Whale watching and deep sea fishing excursions are available. Dana Point is home to numerous yacht clubs. Sea cruises are available during the day and evenings. The popular Catalina Island is only a short boat ride away.
Salt Creek Beach Park is a prominent surfing destination and includes tide pools, a grassy park area for picnicking and sheer cliffs. Doheney State Beach is an excellent location for surfing and swimming. It includes notable tide pools and campground areas. Dana Point offers a large number of parks for recreational activities. The scenic Heritage Park provides an excellent ocean view and is popular for picnics.
The Ocean Institute focuses on awareness and preservation of the ocean and offers popular pirate theme ship cruises and wildlife cruises. The nearby Capistrano Beach is popular for volleyball and other beach activities. Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Disney's California Adventure Theme Park are a short distance away.