Discover 6 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Dana Point (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Ocean Institute, Trestles, and Salt Creek Beach Park. Also, be sure to include Doheny State Beach in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Dana Point (California).
Table of Contents
Ocean Institute
Education center in Dana Point, California. The Ocean Institute is an ocean education organization located in Dana Point, California. Founded as the Orange County Marine Institute in 1977, it offers ocean science and maritime history programs for K–12 students and their teachers. Over 100,000 students and 8,000 teachers from Orange County and the surrounding counties participate yearly in immersion-style programs in the Institute's oceanfront labs and abroad.
The Institute is open to the general public on weekdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and weekends, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; visitors can see marine animals and ocean-themed exhibits. While creating the Nickelodeon animated television show SpongeBob SquarePants, biologist and cartoonist Stephen Hillenburg drew inspiration from his time teaching at the Ocean Institute.
Moored at the Institute is its 70-foot marine science research vessel, the R/V Sea Explorer, used for student programs and to take visitors on trips to see marine wildlife, including whale watching on weekends. The Institute also partners with the Lazy-W Ranch, a camp located in the Cleveland National Forest where students study the ecosystem and California history. It provides outreach programs via a mobile laboratory provided by the "Ocean in Motion" van and distance learning via video conference.[1]
Address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, 92629 Dana Point (Dana Point)
Trestles
Beach in San Diego County, California. Trestles is a collection of surfing spots between northern San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County and southern San Clemente in Orange County in California. Trestles consists of, from north to south, Upper Trestles, Lower Trestles, and Middle Trestles. North of Upper Trestles is the surf spot called Cottons. South of Middles is the surf spot called The Church. It is named after Trestles Bridge, a wooden trestle bridge that surfers must walk under to reach the beach, replaced in 2012 by a concrete viaduct.
Lower Trestles consistently has the best waves of the group. For many years there was an WSL World Tour surfing competition held at Lowers every year, as well as the NSSA Nationals. Uppers is less consistent, but it has the potential to be a good wave with a long ride. North of Uppers is Cotton's Point, the location of former President Richard Nixon's home, La Casa Pacifica, aka "The Western White House", and the associated surfing spot of Cottons.[2]
Salt Creek Beach Park
Park in Dana Point, California. Salt Creek Beach Park is a beach park located in Dana Point, California, in the county of Orange. A popular destination for South Orange County residents, it features amenities such as a halfcourt basketball court, beach volleyball, and a seven-acre grassy Bluff Park, and offers opportunities for surfing, swimming, and fishing. It is located about 10 miles south of Laguna Beach, 70 miles north of San Diego, and 45 miles south of Los Angeles.[3]
Doheny State Beach
State park in Dana Point, California. Doheny State Beach is a protected beach in the state park system of California, United States, located on the Pacific Ocean in the city of Dana Point. The beach is a popular surf spot located at the mouth of San Juan Creek, which flows from the Santa Ana Mountains southwest to the beach, where it forms a fresh-water lagoon. It is also one of the most polluted beaches in Southern California.[4]
Monarch Beach
Neighborhood in Dana Point, California. Monarch Beach is a small neighborhood in Orange County, California located within the city of Dana Point. It is primarily a residential community. Two luxury resorts, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club and the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, are located within the area. Monarch Beach is close to the city boundary between Dana Point and Laguna Niguel.[5]
Capistrano Beach
Neighborhood in Orange County, California. Capistrano Beach, or Capo Beach, is a coastal neighborhood in the city of Dana Point in Orange County, California. It is bordered by San Clemente to the south and Doheny State Beach to the north.
Capistrano Beach is situated along the coast on the southern end of Dana Point. Some homes are situated atop a cliff overlooking Coast Highway and the Capistrano Beach park. Several celebrities live in the town area, notably on Beach Road, where Hobie Alter conceived of the popular Hobie Cat catamaran.[6]