Overview
Dana Point is a city at the beach in Orange County in Southern California.
1 sights · 2 things to do · 4 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Dana Point
The Ocean Institute
Founded in 1977, the Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean preservation through education, setting the standard for educational excellence and serving as a leading resource for universities, mus…
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
Dana Wharf offers year-round whale watching and fishing. Year-round 1/2 price special on Tuesdays where all trips are 1/2 off. May - October is the Blue Whale season and November - April is the Gray Whale migration.
Doheny State Beach
Doheny State Beach is in Dana Point, California as one of California's popular state beaches. Doheny State Beach attracts one million visitors per year. Doheny features include "day use" "Surfing beach" and five-acre law…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 43°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Mission Viejo)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SNA John Wayne Orange County International Airport, Santa Ana — 17 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CLD McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad — 34 mi away. Directions
I-5 is the primary north-south route through Orange County, and passes through the southeastern portion of the city. State Route 1 begins in Dana Point and continues northwest through the city to other coastal Orange County cities. The PCH interchange from I-5 is the most centrally located exit to Dana Point.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Ocean Institute, Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
- Lunch Turk's Dana Warf
- Afternoon Doheny State Beach
- Dinner Carlos Mexican Restaurant
- Evening Pepi's Sports Bar & Grill
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Dana Point is named for Richard Henry Dana, who chronicled the area in his book Two Years Before the Mast. At that time, its harbor served as a port for trading hides raised in the San Juan Capistrano area. One unusual thing is that many of its streets are named for colored lanterns, harkening back to a system of identifying a ship's wares.
Get in
I-5 is the primary north-south route through Orange County, and passes through the southeastern portion of the city. State Route 1 begins in Dana Point and continues northwest through the city to other coastal Orange County cities. The PCH interchange from I-5 is the most centrally located exit to Dana Point.
Get around
The coastal town offers multiple flexible transit options.
- Walking and cycling: The Dana Point Harbor Island paths, Baby Beach flats, and the central Lantern District feature clean, dedicated pedestrian walking lines and bicycle rental lanes that are exceptionally scenic to navigate.
- The Dana Point Trolley: A spectacular, highly popular open-air shuttle bus service operating completely free of charge during the summer peak tourist season Memorial Day through Labour Day. The trolley tracks continuous loops linking the major luxury resorts, the harbor front, and downtown plazas.
- Ride-hailing apps: Mobile app-based private car bookings operate heavily across the entire city, providing a safe, reliable, and air-conditioned travel alternative.
See
See The Ocean Institute
Founded in 1977, the Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean preservation through education, setting the standard for educational excellence and serving as a leading resource for universities, museums, teachers and all others seeking to increase their knowledge of the ocean. Visitors can enjoy ocean-themed exhibits, marine life touch tanks and aquaria with hundreds of marine creatures. Institute staff and volunteers are on hand to share the secrets of our seas. Unique maritime and ocean-themed items are available in the Chambers Gallery every day, 9AM – 6PM. For an added charge, visitors can enjoy marine mammal cruises on board the Institute’s R/V Sea Explorer or sail on board the tall ship Spirit of Dana Point.
Do
Do Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
Dana Wharf offers year-round whale watching and fishing. Year-round 1/2 price special on Tuesdays where all trips are 1/2 off. May - October is the Blue Whale season and November - April is the Gray Whale migration.
Buy
Shopping in Dana Point heavily celebrates upscale coastal lifestyles, premium surfboards, and maritime souvenirs.
- Hobie Surf Shop: Located prominently in the Lantern District along Pacific Coast Highway. This is a historic, legendary surf institution where you can purchase premium, hand-shaped surfboards, high-grade wetsuits, local California beach apparel, and custom surf memorabilia.
- The Harbor Walk shops: Small boutique retail shops lining the marina promenade sell beautiful nautical home decor, local marine art photography, straw sub hats, and unique handcrafted seashell jewelry.
Eat
Eat Harbor House
American diner restaurant with a huge menu serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Loads of stuff on the walls like photos, movie posters, and more. There's another location in Sunset Beach.
Eat Carlos Mexican Restaurant
Charming little Mexican restaurant on PCH. Serves its own cocktails with pretty good food to boot. Closed on Christmas
Eat Craft House
Bar and grill serving new American food with specialized cocktails too. Also serves brunch.
Eat Turk's Dana Warf (Turk's)
Longstanding restaurant in the harbor founded by local legend Turk. Has a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. Equipped with a large bar. Lots of cool stuff lines the walls and you definitely get the vibe that this is the place that has been there for a long time and will be there for a long time
Drink
Drink Pepi's Sports Bar & Grill
Sports bar with a few pool tables inside. It smells like cigarettes all the time here. Pretty standard sports dive bar.
Drink Doheny Saloon
Dive bar. No nonsense place with cheap beers with friendly locals and a relaxed beach vibe.
Sleep
Stay The Beachfront Inn & Suites at Dana Point
This hotel is only rated with two stars, however, it is much more inexpensive than many of the options in San Clemente. Although it is not in the city of San Clemente, it is right along Pacific Coast Highway leading you south directly into the Spanish village by the sea.
Go next
Dana Point is the southernmost city to have public transportation to Catalina Island (Avalon). Reservations are recommended.
Nearby
San Juan Capistrano
City / town · 19 listings · 3 mi away
Laguna Niguel
City / town · 11 listings · 4 mi away
San Clemente
City / town · 40 listings · 6 mi away
Laguna Beach
City / town · 47 listings · 6 mi away
Aliso Viejo
City / town · 5 listings · 7 mi away
Laguna Hills
City / town · 3 listings · 9 mi away
Mission Viejo
City / town · 22 listings · 9 mi away
Lake Forest
City / town · 15 listings · 12 mi away
My experience
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