Dana Point, a beachside city in Orange County, California, is home to a distinctive mix of eclectic curiosity shops and boutiques which can only be found in Southern California. This small city by the sea offers so much to enjoy whether you're a family with little ones, a surfing enthusiast, or an ocean explorer.
One of the city's most famous attractions is Dana Point Harbor. Visitors to Dana Point Harbor can find a gateway to a plethora of ocean activities, whether it be jet ski rentals, a dolphin and whale-watching cruise, or a getaway to nearby Catalina Island. The Catalina Express departs from Dana Point Harbor. Their fleet of vessels take passengers on a 1-hour crossing to Avalon, CA and back. If landing a big catch is more your style, you can also book fishing charters with several companies to land beasts from the deep such as rockfish or tuna.
Many Southern California locals here have fond memories of learning to surf on the one mile stretch of shoreline that is Doheny State Beach, the filming location for the classic movie The Endless Summer. Dana Point began as a well-known surf stop before it grew into a bustling city. It was along a stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway that Hobie Alter opened the first Hobie Surfboards shop. Hobie Surfboards has since expanded into a world-renowned water sports company, with stores all over the world offering merchandise ranging from swimsuits to sailboats. Surf worshipers can also enjoy riding the breaks along Strands Beach, and Salt Creek Beach.
For families with young ones looking to spend a day in the sand and sun, Baby Beach offers a sheltered and safe place to enjoy the Pacific ocean. Baby Beach is found between Dana Point Harbor and the Ocean Institute and features a small section in the water that is roped off just for swimmers. It also features a separate launch zone for stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, and other water sports. For adults seeking a place to spend the day with friends, or families with older kids, Capistrano Beach, also locally known as Capo Beach, features additional amenities including basketball courts and beach volleyball.
Not a fan of the water? You can still enjoy the beautiful weather and sunshine by trekking off on any number of hiking trails which follow the coastline. Various hiking trails are accessible through preserves and conservation parks throughout the city including Hilltop Conservation Park, Harbor Point Conservation Park, Dana Point Preserve and South Strands Conservation Park. In total, there are over 11 miles of trails for visitors and residents to enjoy.
If a luxury staycation is what you seek, Dana Point is home to several world-class resorts such as the Monarch Beach Resort and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Both resorts are AAA Five-Diamond facilities which offer guest rooms with panoramic ocean views, exceptional dining experiences, and spa sanctuary retreats. The Monarch Beach Resort also offers a private beach club featuring amenities such as towel service, and surf lessons.
Several seasonal annual events are held each year in Dana Point. The Tall Ship Festival brings in unique sailing vessels from all over the world each September. Attendees can tour these magnificent ships, and experience other family-friendly activities such as watching the Parade of Sail. The annual Ohana Festival brings in well known musical entertainment including the likes of Eddie Vedder and Red Hot Chili Peppers for a weekend beachside bash. The Festival of Whales, which celebrates the annual gray whale migration off the coasts of California each spring, includes a street fair, sand sculpting contests, and a hot air balloon parade for kids to enjoy.
With so much to see and do, the last thing you'll want to do while living in Dana Point is spend hours each weekend pushing a mower, or conducting manual labor such as trimming hedges or pulling weeds. Instead, you can keep your neighborhood HOA happy by trusting an expert to manage your lawn care for you. Whether you have a corner lot in need of aeration and reseeding or an arbor of palm trees in need of a quick prune and fluff, expert lawn maintenance technicians can conduct weekly maintenance to ensure your oasis grows lush and stays pristine. Show your lawn the same love you have for the ocean by contacting Lawn Love today.
