Orange County has incomparable beaches, cultural spots, tourist attractions, and beautiful small towns. Dana Point is among the most picturesque oceanside towns of Southern California.
If you’re planning your next trip, you might be wondering about the things to do in Dana Point. Let me assure you there are tons of great things to do there.
» Looking for more inspiration along the route? Check out all our guides to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Find the best beaches in Monterey, waterfalls in Southern California, and national parks.
You can go on a whale and dolphin safari, try parasailing, or visit the exhibits at the Ocean institute, but one of our favorite things to do in Dana Point is walking on the bluff trails that wind through the hills overlooking the ocean.
Of those that and more can be found on our list below. Start planning your trip to Dana Point with these tips and we’re sure you’ll love it there.
Our Recommended Dana Point Hotel
Dana Point Tours to Try
- Luxury Catamaran Sunset and Wine Cruise from Dana Point
- Dana Point Kayak & Walking Tour
- Whale Watching Excursion in Dana Point
Things to Do in Dana Point
Dana Point is a short drive from Los Angeles, which takes around an hour in good traffic. That’s why it’s a wonderful spot for a quick vacation, business trips, and romantic getaways.
Speaking of romantic, this is actually how Richard Henry Dana Jr. described the area. In his memoirs, he writes that this place is “the only romantic spot on the coast”. The beach town took his name and remained true to that description.
To experience all the charm Dana Point has to offer, here are 14 amazing destinations that you shouldn’t miss!
1. Capistrano Beach Park
Spend a day at the spectacular Capistrano Beach Park. It’s a family-friendly spot where you can swim in crystal blue waters. When you’re done with splashing, you can enjoy various sea sports like fishing, surfing, paddle boarding, and body surfing.
Several amenities around the beach park make your stay comfortable and laid back. The beach is easily accessible from the parking lot, so you can pack a ton of stuff without worrying about the hike on the deep sand.
Capistrano beach park is open daily from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. In the summer months, dogs are welcome in the early hours of the day till 9:00 am, then in the evening after 6:00 pm. You’d need to keep them leashed at all times though.
2. Doheny State Beach
In 1931, Edward L. Doheny, the renowned oil tycoon, donated the beachfront land to the state. Around 1935, the public beach became one of the most popular spots for water sports.
It remains, up to this day, one of the main attractions of Dana Point, with a million visitors enjoying the scenic shore each year. The record number of people isn’t only because of the beach’s wonderful location, there’s more!
The southern part of Doheny beach is dedicated to camping, while the northern part is set up as a day-use surfing area. While you’re there, you might want to try surf fishing. In the middle, there’s a five-acre green area for picnics and other land sports.
That’s not all. The beach has a tide pool area, various aquariums, and a visitor’s center. So you probably need a few visits to experience Doheny beach fully.
Doheny State Beach is open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. With such flexible hours, you can plan the day as you like.
It’s worth noting that dogs aren’t allowed on this beach, except for service dogs, which should be leashed at all times.
3. Captain Dave’s Whale Watching & Dolphin Safari
Whale watching is a memorable experience that leaves a person with a deeper appreciation of nature and its wonders. If you want the best whale-and-dolphin-watching tour, then you should go on Captain Dave’s safari.
The varied marine life includes at least six types of whales, like blue whales, humpback whales, and grey whales. In addition to the amazing fin whales and brutal killer whales. Dana point also has the highest amount of dolphins, amounting to 10,000 in a pod.
Unlike many other sea animal watching tours, there’s no best season to watch the whales at Dana Point. You can come at any time of the year, and still find a multitude of sea creatures. This is a world-famous tour that you shouldn’t miss.
4. Ocean Institute
Dana Point offers cultural as well as leisurely experiences, and Ocean Institute is one of the best spots that have it all. Make sure to free up a morning for that. The institute opens up at 9:30 am, and closes at 1:30 pm, except on weekends, where it closes at 3:00 pm.
You can go on marine-life exploration excursions, kayaking tours, tide pool hikes, and tall ship sails. These events have pre-set dates, so it’s best to check out their calendar and plan your trip accordingly.
As the day wraps up, you can check out the Chambers Gallery Gift Shop for some ocean-themed books, toys, puzzles, and jewelry. You might also find a few decorative pieces for your home.
5. Pines Park
Spending a day at a park, enjoying lush green surroundings, and having a BBQ, with the kids playing on slides is always great fun. At Pines Park, you can do all that, and more.
If your little ones like climbing walls, exploring tunnels, and going up and down slides, then, enjoyment is guaranteed.
The park is quite close to Capistrano Beach Park, with a wonderful view of the ocean. Sunsets are particularly breathtaking, and it would be the best conclusion of a memorable day.
6. Salt Creek Beach
The huge popularity of Salt Creek Beach comes from its unique location and various attractions, in addition to lush green lawns, amenities, and picnic areas. It’s right next to the Ritz-Carlton Laguna-Niguel hotel complex, and pretty close to some amazing golf courses.
The beach park gets its name from the creek at its northern end, which is a charming picture-perfect spot. Tide pools are abundant, so you can take the kids and explore all the marine life in the area.
You can also splash in the waters, surf, or rent a day-use picnic area. The more active folks would be happy to find basketball courts, where they can show off their moves and skills.
The beach park is open daily from 5:00 am to 12:00 am, so you can spend the whole day over there.
7. Catalina Express
Watching the coastline from the ocean is a whole other experience, and the Catalina Express is the best way to do that.
The Catalina Express fleet consists of eight large modern boats, that transport visitors from Dana Point, Long Beach, and San Pedro to Catalina Island. Once you get there, you can explore two little towns; Avalon and Two Harbors.
You can book your trip easily, as the ferry boat commutes more than 30 times each day. You can also plan a day filled with adventures, watersports, exploration, or R&R.
8. Dana Strands Beach
A quiet day around pristine shores is what the soul needs from time to time. You’ll find that in the tranquil, scenic, Dana Strands Beach.
This beach park is less crowded than the other touristic destinations, probably because it doesn’t offer many activities. It does have all the required amenities though for a comfortable and easy stay.
The parking lot is a bit far from the beach area, so make sure to travel lightly. The stairway above leads you to the beach and it is a beautiful walk. Alternatively, you can use the funicular tram, which is a free method to access the beach. It’s also equipped to transfer handicapped people to the remote areas of the park. Be aware though, one local told us that it is rarely in operation because of breakdowns.
9. Bluff Top Trail
Having watched the town’s shoreline from the ocean, wouldn’t it be great to see the whole area from the top as well? The Bluff Top Trail is a short walk that gives you a unique view of Dana Point’s loveliest landmarks and ocean views.
Keep your camera ready, as the sights around the U-shaped trail are unparalleled. The concrete-and-wood trail starts at the Violet Lantern viewpoint and ends at the Amber Lantern viewpoint.
The hike doesn’t take too long, as the whole trail is less than half a mile. However, you can extend it in the direction of the beaches below, or into the town and its residential parts.
It’s worth mentioning that the trail isn’t child-friendly, so it’s best to keep this part for adults.
10. Baby Beach
Toddlers are rarely big fans of ocean waves, and that’s why a beach with tranquil waters offers them so much fun.
Baby Beach is a cove inside the Dana Point harbor. That’s why the waves break far away from the shoreline, and the waters of the beach are as mellow and soft as can be. It’s like an extra large swimming pool.
The water isn’t crystal clear though, as the harbor activity affects its purity. Occasionally, the water gets too murky, so the lifeguards decide to close off the beach. You can get updates on that from the official Dana Point websites.
One of the nicest things about that spot is that it’s quite close to the Ocean Institute. It also has a large green area, public parking, and various family-friendly services. It would be great if you can plan a full day of activities and culture.
11. Dana Point Parasail
If aerial views appeal to you, you can go even higher with a parasailing adventure. The best in town is Dana Point Parasail.
The family-owned business has been in Dana point since 2015, and every member treats visitors with warmth and cordiality. Getting on the boat automatically means that you’ll get an exceptional experience.
Parasailing doesn’t require previous experience, and there are special arrangements for kids. The minimum age is 5 years old, and the Captain provides all the necessary safety gear. You can also charter a private trip for up to ten people.
12. Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center
Children get bored easily by familiar sights, but a visit to the Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center is guaranteed to fill them with wide-eyed wonder.
The center is run by professionals in marine life in addition to a nice group of enthusiastic volunteers. The best parts are the interactive kids’ corner, animal displays, city diorama, and murals.
On some Saturdays, you can also join a nature tour or a historic walk. You might also be lucky and catch a whale walk & talk, which is tons of fun!
13. Dana Point Preserve Trail
The Dana Point Nature Interpretive center is a must-see, but it wouldn’t occupy the whole day. Fortunately, you can add a memorable hike to your plan. The Dana Point Preserve Trail is right outside the interpretive center, and quite often, visitors do both for maximum enjoyment.
The trail takes about half an hour for a round tour. It starts at the center, then veers downwards through the cliffs. As you walk, you’ll find many signs providing information about the wildlife in the preserve.
You’ll also watch a large span of the coastline from this vantage point. On clear days, you might spot a bunch of whales and dolphins splashing in the ocean.
14. Hilltop Conservation Park
Hiking is a great way to discover the essence of any destination, and this hilltop trail and park are among the best spots to do that in Dana Point. The panoramic view of the town and ocean below is exceptional, so you’d better bring your camera and start snapping memorable shots.
The Hilltop Conservation Park trail itself is rather short, as it’s less than half a mile all-in-all. It’s part of the Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area, which is also of a limited size. However, the 360-degree view of Dana Point keeps most people there for quite some time.
The trail is open from 7:00 am till sunset, but sometimes the schedule changes. It’s best to stay up to date and read the latest info from an official website.
In Summary
Family vacations at Dana Point are always fun-filled and satisfying to everyone. There’s a wide variety of beaches, parks, camping areas, and cultural spots.
Dana Point offers a lot more than just beaches and trails. The grown-ups can get some me time as well, and visit the local cafes, join an ocean yoga class, spend the day at an arts & crafts festival, or go scuba diving.
Business trips can also include some lavish parties at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa. and to unwind completely, then you should check out the Monarch Beach Golf Links.
Travel Planning Guide
🚙💨 Where should I book my rental car?
Renting a car is one of the best ways to get around in California, no matter where you’re visiting. Public transportation can only get your so far, even in big cities. I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks the prices of all major rental car companies, so you get the best rates.
🛌 What’s the best way to book my accommodations?
For hotels and vacation rentals, Booking.com or Expedia.com are the best sites, but you can also book through TripAdvisor. If you’re considering renting a house instead, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb.
🧳 What do I pack for California?
Head to the our California Packing List or Disneyland Packing List to get all the info on packing.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to California?
For finding cheap California flights from around the world, I recommend Skyscanner. I’ve also had pretty good luck with Kayak.com.
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Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.