In Dana Point we are rooted in our past and love our sunny future, it’s why the pirates of old and the surfers of today have adored this hidden gem.
The emphasis on outdoor activities is fundamental to the lifestyle of Dana Point. To fully comprehend the area's extensive history, one must explore its past as a crucial seaport for Spanish and Mexican trade, a function intrinsically linked to the Mission San Juan Capistano and ultimately instrumental in the formation of the beautiful City of Dana Point and eventually
Start your day by exploring San Juan Capistrano:
Our city's history is closely linked to its sister city, San Juan Capistrano, home to "The Jewel of the Missions" and the birthplace of Orange County. This year marks Mission San Juan Capistrano the 7th of 21 missions statewide. The Mission has preserved the history of Orange County's first people, the Acjachemen Native Americans. In 2026, they will have many events celebrating their anniversary along with the traditions that locals look forward to such as the Annual Return of the Swallows. Check out their calendar of events before planning your visit.
Spend time wandering through the vibrant gardens and historical exhibits with a docent-led tour, or let children enjoy the weekend crafts and activities. Afterward, stroll along Los Rios Street, California's oldest established street, browsing the small shops and visiting the historic adobes. Check out the new River Street Marketplace a new development in the historic district.
The connection between Dana Point and Mission San Juan Capistrano predates Dana Point's city hood, when the area was known as Capistrano Bay. Cowhides and tallow were once dropped from the cliffs above, now Dana Point Harbor, down to ships below for trade with the Spanish, French, and others. The folklore of pirate Hippolyte Bouchard who sailed for Argentina, stormed the Mission from Capistrano Bay is still part of local history.
Walk and take in the views at Lantern Village District:
In the 1920s, as Los Angeles residents sought an escape from city life, they began flocking to the coast. Visionary developer Sidney H. Woodruff recognized Dana Point as a true gem and began designing and building homes along its bluffs.
Woodruff partnered with General M. Sherman of the Pacific Railroad and the publisher of the Los Angeles Times to develop a major resort to cater to the era's celebrities and politicians who summered in the area, naming it the Dana Point Inn.
Unfortunately, the stock market crash and the Great Depression brought the grand project to a halt. However, many of Sidney H. Woodruff's original homes, along with the beach tunnel and arches, still stand in the Lantern Village area of Dana Point. Visitors can explore the historic Lantern District, where historical markers denote the visual entry of Woodruff’s development. Continuing to the Bluff Top Trail, one can take in the view, which includes remnants of the resort and a bronze statue of the Hide Drougher, capturing the moment he tossed furs over the cliffs to the merchant ships below, in what is now Dana Point Harbor. (Photo Courtesy: Dana Point Historical Society)
Surfing may have started in Hawaii but the Surf Industry started here:
This is the birthplace of Killer Dana and Surfer Magazine. Surfing legends from the 1950's and 60's, including pioneers like Hobie who created the first foam surfboard, rode the waves at the famous breaks of Killer Dana and Doheny State Beach. The laid-back, beach centric lifestyle remains integral to Dana Point. The film The Endless Summer, which showcased the 1960's surf culture, was produced right here in town by filmmaker Bruce Brown, giving new meaning to the endless summer experience in Dana Point.
Dana Point spotlights Surf Innovators at Waterman’s Plaza:
Waterman's Plaza in Dana Point is a cultural and historical site that celebrates the local community's deep bond with the ocean. This commemorative plaza honors the legacy and significant contributions of watermen, individuals like surfers and sailors who have profoundly shaped the area's recreational and cultural identity.
Golden statues commemorating local surf icons, Hobie Alter and Phil Edwards pay homage to their significance to Dana Point’s surfing heritage. Walk around and take in the historical timelines as you read about each of these surf innovators. Hobie’s statue depicts him riding his Hobie Cat while Phil Edward’s bronze captures him just as he was during the big surf days of the 1950’s and 1960’s catching waves along the coast of Dana Point. Edwards and Hobie were friends and played parts in the surf film, The Endless Summer. Bruce Brown the filmmaker, surfboard maker Dale Velzy, and the late founder of Surfer Magazine, John Severson, Steve and Barrie Boehne, and Joyce Hoffman just to name a few are all captured in their art. The life-sized sculptures created by local artist Bill Limebrook, grew up in town off of Beach Road near Capo Beach has shed the light on chasing the waves and sunshine here in Orange County. Check them out and learn more about Dana Point’s surfing history at PCH Plaza right across from Doheny State Beach.
