A year-round destination with a historically deep connection
to the ocean
Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Dana Point is named America's first Whale Heritage Site, as well as trademarked the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World®.
The southern start of California’s iconic Pacific
Coast Highway (PCH), Dana Point is home to pristine beaches, cliffside
eateries, renowned whale watching, world-class boating and endless seaside activities
catering to all types of travelers.
With nearly seven miles of coastline along six
beaches, two dozen parks and miles of beach-side trails, the destination offers
a variety of other seaside adventures at the Dana Point Harbor – from stand-up
paddleboarding (SUP) and kayaking to deep sea fishing, sailing and evening wine
cruises.
Dana Point features more than 10 oceanfront lodging
properties, including signature resorts – such as the Five Diamond Waldorf
Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Beach Club and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna
Niguel and the Four Diamond Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa – with elevated
onsite dining, rejuvenating spa services, pools and golf courses. While in
town, visitors can also explore the destination’s downtown, known as Lantern
Village, for its elevated shopping and dining scenes.
Trademarked the Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital
of the World® and named the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas by the
World Cetacean Alliance, Dana Point offers visitors year-round opportunities to
embark on whale- and dolphin-watching excursions with local outfitters. The
destination is home to one of the greatest concentrations of blue whales and
dolphins on earth, with many whale species using Dana Point as a landmark
during migrations. In March, Dana Point celebrates the migration of the California
gray whale with exciting events and attractions at the beloved Festival of
Whales.
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Dana Point also has strong roots in California’s surf
heritage, with the world’s first retail surf shop, Hobie Surf Shop, which opened
in 1954 by famous surfer Hobie Alter; and the Surfing Heritage and Culture
Center (SHACC), which houses the world’s most important and authoritative
archive of surfing artifacts, surfboards, and memorabilia. One of California’s
most popular and first state beaches still frequented today for surfing, Doheny
State Beach is where visitors of all ages can take surf lessons with Girl in
the Curl Surf Shop.
Perfectly situated just 20 minutes from Orange
County’s John Wayne Airport (SNA) and an easy drive to the best attractions
Southern California has to offer, Dana Point combines relaxed luxury with coastal cool for
an elevated California holiday.
www.visitdanapoint.com