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Sign in with FacebookLatest Dana Point hotel reviews
Pro
Ideally located as a reference "landmark" for the whales.
Con
Deep, cold water with huge waves.
In a nutshell
If you don't like over-crowded beaches, than Dana point is for you.
If not staying in, walk by Ritz Carlton
marinarena Says: Well, I don't think i will be able to write a review on personal accomodation experience at the Ritz Carlton in Dana but can mention the lovely walking experience that can be had right off the property. Caution: there is a seriously steep road leading from the hotel to the...
Catch Festival of Whales (seasonal)
marinarena Says: In late winter at the harbor, whales greet Dana in their annual migration, which originates in Alaska and ends in Mexico. Special whale watching excursions run during the 2 weekend event, ranging from about $30-$250 (general and private boats). pre-booked reservations are...
marinarena Says: For the Orange county visitor seeking a more local, less congested perspective, low-wave Doheny is a great option to see. Doheny is mentioned in the popular Beach boys tunes, "Surfin' safari" and "Surfin' U.S.A.". On a bad note, this beach is one of the most polluted in the...
Do Doheny!- The Camp & Outdoors
marinarena Says: Doheny State Beach is an beautiful and exciting beach especially for the active beach goers. The main Dana Pont beach is a beloved spot for campers and nature conservation lovers. Many pitch their tents during special park events like the Haunted Campground, just in time of...
marinarena Says: Dana Point has a charming harbor area, featuring two marinas and a wharf. It's perfect to explore with a nice stroll during the day or evening. The harbor is the water adventure spot where visitors can embark on a sail, ferry to Catalina or sportfish. On land, try one of a...
supfitness Says: SUP Fitness is simple because of the nature of the sport - balancing on a paddle board with basic paddling strokes. The combination provides an excellent and FUN core fitness and aerobic workout.
Stand up Paddleboarding in Dana Point Harbor
saraross Says: I just came back from Dana Point,Ca. and had an amazing time Stand up Paddleboarding in the harbor with SUP Fitness Laguna. Nancy, the owner, is fun, informative and we all learned how to paddleboard pretty fast.It's a great sport and I am looking into buying my own...
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
658 Opinions
Best Western Dana Point Inn By
1 Review and 156 Opinions The rooms are very small. The motel manager is impossible to deal with. They actually told me on the...
Coffee Importers/Blaz'n Blenders: Get a bevy of drinks at popular Dana Point joint
marinarena Says: Coffee Importers is a top multi-treat Dana stop in the morning and throughout the day. Located at the harbor, CI enjoys regulars and new visitors alike to get a good fix of premium coffee, espresso, smoothie and entrees, including a variety of sandwich and salad offerings. A...
The New York Deli: Almost Too Big !
aboatman Says: Tucked in the back of "Reastaurant Row" in the harbour, you have to look for this place. It's very plain, but the food is fantastic. They offer freshly baked NY Rye bread, that you usually have to wait for as it's comming out of the oven. The sandwiches are huge and make 2...
Dana Point can be reached by public transit easily. Notably, the OCTA 1, which runs along PCH. Route 85, 90, 91 and 187 also run through here. If traveling by train, exit San Clemente Amtrak of SC Metrolink Station and catch the 1 bus heading north.
Written Mar 3, 2012
The Downstairs Store: A Nice Gift Shop
cnango Says: The Downstairs Store is one of my favorite shops in the Mariners Village at Dana Point Harbor. It has lots of cards as well as a nice selection of gifts. They sell home decore items, quality clothing , fine soaps and scented candles. A lot of the merchandise has a...
Bella Sea: Sea Shells, Gifts and Nautical Decore
cnango Says: The Bella Sea is a great shop in the Mariners Village at Dana Point Harbor. You can find some very reasonably priced trinkets and gifts with an Ocean theme here. I like to get Christmas ornaments made from shells during the holidays. This is a great place to buy souveniers...
Helpfulness
The season for whale watching begins Thanksgiving weekend and ends the 2nd weekend of April.
In the winter, thouands of California Gray Whales leave the Arctic Seas and follow the coast line to the warm, calm waters of Southern California and Baja. This is a 10,000 mile trip. The migration brings the majority of the Gray Whale population past Dana Point where they can easily be seen and photographed.
The picture is from the Festival information.
The Festival of Whales is usually the first two weekends of March.
Updated Mar 25, 2005
Phone: 949-472-7888
Website: www.festivalofwhales.org
Helpfulness
There are several beaches at Dana Point. Try going to the one where you pay a minimal fee for parking. Beaches like that are cleaner and have rest rooms, showers and free of bothering vendors and beggars.
It is imperative that you protect your self from the sun. It might not feel hot at the time but trust me, you will burn. I had a second degree sunburn. About 80% of my body was burned to a point where I couldn't even pull socks on me feet. It was hurting so much.
If you are from a northern climate like us and your skin is very white, you will burn in less than 10 minutes. We were there for over 5 hours. Immagine that. Have a white T-shirt on and fully protect your self with a 30 or above rated sun-screen lotion. Stay in shade if possible. Just look at me on this picture.
A red lobster would beg me for a recipe! :)
Updated Apr 26, 2003
Website: http://www.danapoint.org/
Helpfulness
Luggage and bags: You have to bring a very strong sun screen with you. If not you will burn in a matter of minutes. I guarantee it. We burned so bad I couldn't pull sucks on my feet for a week.
Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Bading suits, Big umbrella. Also bring slipers or some kind of light shoes for the beach since there are rocks.
Photo Equipment: Camera. Digital or traditional 35-mm.
Miscellaneous: Bring food with you. You will get hungry.
Updated Oct 4, 2002
Stroll a park, not just the coast
marinarena Says: To relax, play or for exercise, Dana has a few dozen of lovely, exiquisitely landscaped parks, including the Lantern Bay Park, located at the intersection of Golden Lantern and Dana Point harbor.This park is open from 6 in the morning, 'til about 10 PM.
janika Says: I had fun watching the locals rollerblade. Some people were jogging or just walking.You see skateboarders and people on bicycles as well. Not too many locals care about the beach or the water. Some of them just come down to the beach to meet up with others, friends, etc....
The Turkey Trot is the famous 5k/10k race held every year on Thanksgiving Day. Every year is always more fun than te last. The whole community gets involved. Many people from out of town even come to race here! If you are around Dana point in November you should give it a try!
Written Jun 27, 2005
Address: turkeytrot.com
marinarena Says: Dana's Respect of Marine areaThe city prides herself in protecting Doheny State beach, esp. in relation to the many tidepools (large saltwater puddles) located in the beach area. Signs posted at the beach remind visitors to heed to tidepooler guidelines, which include to not...
Love the handsome architecture of Dana buildings
marinarena Says: A visual highlight of Dana Point is the architecural aspect of many of the city's commercial and residential buildings. In a county that is often described as homogenous externally, O.C.'s Dana sits quite distinctively with its East coast Americana inspired exterior...
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Dana Point Harbor is a harbor for recreational boats.It is located on the coast of California in South Orange County. It has several good restaurants & shops to browse through.
Dana Point, California. One of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The water is cool despite the hot weather and the palm trees give shade if needed. Nice thing is, that it's not over crowded. It...
See the Whales on the Dana Pride
At Dana Wharf Sportfishing daily whale watch trips are scheduled during peak periods of the migration on large, comfortable boats. The Dana Wharf fleet can accomodate individuals or large groups. The...
Okay, I'm lumping these two cities together because they're both beautiful and although each has their own special qualities, I don't have enough material for two different cities. Once I do, I'll...
Meet Down-to-Earth yet downright rich Dana !
Here is the story about Dana. She is a quiet, little sandy one, similarly sandy and quiet like her neighbor, San Clemente, but even more so. Dana is quite young, almost like a brand new baby compared...
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