Welcome to Dana Point

Dana Point remains an overlooked treasure in Southern California. While the state is known for its fast-paced cities and thrilling attractions, Dana Point is where you go for a more relaxed pace of travel. You can walk along the beaches that surround the quaint village that has sprung up around them.

Dana Point Sunrise

A Brief History

The first surfboards to be mass-produced from foam, Hobie Surfboards, were made in Dana Point, making it the original California surf town. When surfers first started coming here, it was just a hidden beach with great surfing. However, when the iconic surf documentary The Endless Summer revealed Dana Point to the world, the secret was very much out. Although Dana Point is no longer a secret for surfers, it is still a secret for most Orange County tourists.

Dana Point, Today

Since then, Dana Point has developed from a 1950s teenage surf hangout to a beach city with equal parts resort glitz and laid-back charm. All of your favorite seaside activities are done better here, such as kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and boating. With fewer visitors than its SoCal counterparts, Dana Point is an oasis of calm. It’s no wonder that it’s known for its spas and yoga classes.

The Whale Watching Capital of the World®

Just a short drive from Anaheim, Dana Point proudly holds the title of the “Whale Watching Capital of the World®.” Its coastal waters are teeming with year-round marine life, offering some of the best whale watching opportunities anywhere. Visitors can embark on unforgettable excursions with Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, the pioneering company that launched the first whale watching tours in Orange County more than 50 years ago. From majestic blue whales in summer to gray whales in winter, every trip offers a chance to witness these incredible creatures up close along Southern California’s stunning coastline.

Beautiful Sights

Although the flocks of swallows aren’t coming to the San Juan Capistrano Mission in great numbers anymore, migratory whales can be seen just off the coast in Dana Point. Boats leave from Dana Point Harbor and these gentle giants are usually out splashing around. If you get lucky, you can even see grey whales from the pier at Dana Point Harbor. On a clear day, you can see Catalina Island from Dana Point. This is also the port where the ferry to Catalina departs. A trip to the Island is a California classic.

Magnificent beachfront hotels like the Monarch Beach Resort and the Ritz-Carlton Nigel Laguna draw luxury travelers from around the world. The Monarch is home to a private beach club, a gold medal awarded golf course, and the award-winning Miraval Spa Life in Balance Spa. While it may be at the southern end of Orange County, Anaheim to Dana point is a quick 35 miles away. Dana point also makes a great jump-off for visiting San Diego, which is only about an hour away.

Dana Point Harbor aerial view on a sunny day