explore dana point

The iconic Doheny State Beach is just steps away from Laguna Cliffs Resort and Spa, providing hundreds of acres of pristine recreation activities. Beyond surfing and camping at California’s first state beach, spot unique animals including harbor seals, sharks, dolphins, whales, herons, and more.

Dana Point Harbor boasts a rich maritime history, and while it was quite the adventure for 19th-century travelers to reach area shores, it is now easily accessible for both sailors and visitors. The adventures now lie in the many land and water-based activities available within the two marinas. Dana Point Harbor is considered a small-boat harbor and provides both permanent and guest slips for more than 2,500 boats.

Journey to the sea with the Ocean Institute. Experience marine wildlife, including a wide variety of fish and sea creatures that live in sediment retrieved from the ocean floor. Discover the amazing and sometimes bizarre life that lives just beneath the waves!

Growing from its roots as Orange County’s first whale watching company in 1971, Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching has become one of the premier charters in Dana Point Harbor. With decades of experience, the crew at Dana Wharf knows all the best spots to ensure you catch some awe-inspiring views and all the fish you could possibly want.

The Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center (SHACC) exists at the intersection of surfing’s past, present, and future. SHACC houses the world’s most important and authoritative archive of surfing artifacts, surfboards, memorabilia, photography, video, periodicals, and scholarly works. SHACC's collection comes from all corners of the globe and reflects the spirit of exploration and adventure that is core to surfing’s ethos. The educational programs and events focus on bringing surfing’s rich history and stories to the world. 

Mission San Juan Capistrano, a historic landmark and museum, is the birthplace of Orange County. It was founded more than 200 years ago as the 7th of 21 missions statewide and features a still-standing chapel where Saint Serra once celebrated Mass. Today, it is a monument to California’s multicultural history, embracing its Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and European heritage.

The Dana Point Headlands Trail, also known as the Dana Point Preserve Trail, is part of a 3-mile trail system that weaves in and around the Dana Point Headlands Conservation area with beach access, scenic overlooks, and the Nature Interpretive Center.

Girl in the Curl offers surf lessons with expert instruction at Doheny State Beach year round. All of their instructors are trained in CPR, first aid, and water safety. They are ready to help you learn to surf and fall in love with our second-favorite sport.

When you play at Monarch Beach Golf Links, you’ll understand why it is among the top Southern California golf resorts. The dramatic coastline provides a crystal blue backdrop to rolling greens artfully poised atop historic cliffs and towering bluffs and legendary beaches. This championship Dana Point golf course is truly as challenging as it is mesmerizing.