DANA
POINT.
Harbor mornings. Surf breaks. Bluff-top sunsets. Pizza in the Lantern District and whales somewhere offshore. Dana Point knows exactly how to do coastal Orange County.
POINT
TAKEN.
Dana Point does coastal life its own way: working harbor meets surf history, cliffside trails meet neighborhood restaurants, and almost every good plan eventually finds its way back to the Pacific.
COME
HUNGRY.
Artisan pizza, harbor classics, casual beach food and polished coastal dinners. Dana Point gives you plenty of reasons to stay after the beach.
TRULY
PIZZA
Long-fermented artisan pizza served in a two-story open-air piazza with a garden patio and rooftop dining in the heart of Dana Point.
COASTAL
KITCHEN
Polished but relaxed California dining with seafood, steaks, salads and cocktails.
THE SHWACK
BEACH GRILL
Laid-back Dana Point energy with burgers, tacos, salads and the kind of casual meal that works perfectly after the beach.
JIMMY'S
FAMOUS
Harbor-side American comfort food, burgers, drinks and weekend brunch in a lively waterfront setting.
RJ'S
CAFE
Big breakfasts, pancakes and classic diner-style favorites close to the harbor.
COFFEE
IMPORTERS
Harbor coffee, bagels, smoothies and breakfast with boats instead of traffic outside the window.
UP THE HILL.
INTO TOWN.
Dana Point isn't only about the harbor. Head uphill into the Lantern District for restaurants, neighborhood businesses and some of the city's best local energy.
TRULY
PIZZA
Make this one of your Lantern District anchors: pizza downstairs, rooftop vibes upstairs, and a space built for staying awhile.
WALK THE
LANTERNS
Wander between Del Prado, PCH and the surrounding Lantern streets for a more neighborhood-side look at Dana Point.
BLUFF TOP
TRAIL
A short historical bluff walk with dramatic views across Dana Point Harbor and the Pacific.
FIND THE
WATER.
In Dana Point, that's usually the right answer. Harbor walk, surf session, whale cruise, bluff trail or sunset on the sand—just keep heading toward blue.
HARBOR
THE GOOD LIFE.
Boats, waterfront walks, paddleboards, restaurants, whale watching and ocean adventures all start here.
WALK THE
HARBOR
Wander beside the marina, watch the boats and stop for coffee, food or whatever looks good along the way.
BABY
BEACH
Protected harbor water makes this an easy spot for families, paddleboards, kayaks and a slower kind of beach day.
OCEAN
INSTITUTE
Marine science, maritime history, interactive exhibits and ocean experiences right at the edge of the harbor.
LOOK
OFFSHORE.
Dana Point has built a major part of its identity around the whales and dolphins moving through the waters just beyond the harbor.
DANA
WHARF
Head offshore for whale watching, dolphin encounters, sportfishing and classic Dana Point ocean adventure.
CAPT. DAVE'S
SAFARI
Get out beyond the harbor on a wildlife-focused cruise in search of whales, dolphins and Southern California marine life.
SEA
EXPLORER
Turn whale watching into a marine-science experience aboard the Ocean Institute's research vessel.
PICK YOUR
PATCH OF PACIFIC.
Beginner-friendly surf, famous breaks, dramatic bluffs and stretches of sand that remind you why Dana Point became a surf town.
DOHENY
One of Dana Point's signature beaches, known for surfing, swimming, picnics, camping and classic California beach culture.
SALT CREEK
BEACH
Surf below dramatic coastal bluffs, stretch out on the sand or take in the view from the park above.
STRANDS
BEACH
A photogenic stretch of Dana Point coastline backed by cliffs, bluff paths and wide Pacific views.
CAPISTRANO
BEACH
Head south for another side of Dana Point, with beach recreation and a laid-back stretch of coast near Capo Beach.
SALT WATER
IS THE PLAN.
Surf it. Paddle it. Sail it. Watch whales in it. Or just sit above it with a coffee and a view. Dana Point gives the Pacific plenty of screen time.
TAKE THE
HIGH ROAD.
Some of Dana Point's best views happen above the beach. Walk the bluffs, explore the Headlands and give yourself a reason to stop every few minutes.
HEADLANDS
TRAILS
Explore a network of coastal trails, overlooks and open-space areas high above the Pacific.
NATURE
INTERPRETIVE CENTER
Start here for a little coastal ecology before heading onto the surrounding Headlands trail system.
CATCH THE
SUNSET
Bring nothing complicated. Find a bench, face the Pacific and let golden hour do the work.
STAY
AWHILE.
Dinner, drinks, harbor lights and neighborhood hangouts keep Dana Point moving after the sun disappears behind the Pacific.
THE
POINT
A neighborhood sports bar and restaurant for cold drinks, games and a casual night out.
PIZZA
AFTER DARK
The Lantern District gets even better when dinner means artisan pizza beneath a lemon trellis and evening sky.
CHART
HOUSE
Head up the bluff for dinner with panoramic views across the marina, coastline and Pacific.
GET OUT
THERE.
Land or sea. Slow morning or full-send adventure. Dana Point has enough going on to turn a quick coastal stop into an entire day.
EXPLORE THE
HARBOR
Start with the boats and see where the waterfront takes you.
GO WHALE
WATCHING
Leave the harbor behind and see what is moving through the Pacific.
VISIT OCEAN
INSTITUTE
Get closer to the ocean without necessarily getting wet.
SURF
DOHENY
Get in the water or just watch Dana Point's surf culture happen around you.
PADDLE THE
HARBOR
Paddle inside the protected harbor for a calmer way to get onto the water.
HIKE THE
HEADLANDS
Trade the marina for coastal bluff trails and huge Pacific views.
BEACH +
BLUFF DAY
Spend time on the sand, then climb back up for a completely different view.
EAT SOME
TRULY PIZZA
Because not every Dana Point activity needs a wetsuit or hiking shoes.
CHASE THE
SUNSET
Harbor, bluff or beach. Just make sure you're facing west when the sky starts changing.
SEE YOU
IN DANA POINT.
Come for the harbor. Stay for the surf, whales, bluff-top views, Lantern District, beach days and a Truly Pizza stop somewhere in between.