Dana Point Itineraries: Weekend Getaways for Every Kind of Traveler

Dana Point is an easy weekend getaway about an hour from Los Angeles or San Diego, with oceanfront resorts, a working harbor and whales offshore all year. Choose an escape below: Couples, Family, Wellness, Harbor Adventures or Foodie. Each itinerary is 2.5 to 3 days, built around one hotel, and keeps you in Dana Point so your time is spent on the coast, not in the car

Couples Escapes: a romantic weekend, a luxury resort stay or a babymoon.
Family Escapes: Baby Beach, the Ocean Institute and a beachside home base at Doheny.
Wellness Escapes: spa days, sunrise walks and slow mornings by the ocean.
Harbor Adventures: whale watching, paddling, fishing, Catalina and the trails above the harbor.
Foodie Getaways: the Lantern District's best bites, from pizza to oceanfront fine dining.
More getaways: girls trips and empty nesters.
Foodie Getaways
More Dana Point Getaways

Couples Escapes: a romantic weekend, a luxury resort stay or a babymoon.

Romantic Getaway: 3 Days for Couples

Day 1: Oceanfront romance

Check into the Blue Lantern Inn, a boutique inn on the bluff above Dana Point Harbor with ocean views from almost every room.
Book a couples massage at one of Dana Point's resort spas.
Walk Strands Beach at sunset. Find it in our Dana Point beach guide.
Dinner at Luciana’s Ristorante, a candlelit Italian favorite in the Lantern District.

Day 2: Whales, a sunset sail and a view

Morning whale watching cruise from the harbor.
Lunch in the Lantern District, then browse its shops and boutiques.
Sunset picnic at Lantern Bay Park, or toast the sunset on the Champagne Sunset Sail aboard the historic yacht Curlew (Dana Wharf cruises).
Dinner at Chart House, perched above the harbor with dramatic ocean views.

Day 3: Slow morning together

Pastries and coffee, then a walk on the Headlands trails before heading home. Celebrating an anniversary? Upgrade night one to an oceanfront resort and swap the picnic for sunset cocktails at 180blu.

A couple relaxing in a hot tub overlooking the ocean at one of the world renowned Dana Point Hotels and Resorts

Family Escapes: Baby Beach, the Ocean Institute and a beachside home base at Doheny.

No flights, no altitude, no packed schedule. A short drive, a resort that does the work and flat, easy walks by the water.

Day 1: Relaxation begins

Check into Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach; spend the afternoon by the pool or with a prenatal massage at the resort spa.
Easy dinner at AVEO Table + Bar.

Day 2: Gentle coastal exploration

Breakfast overlooking the ocean, then a slow stroll around Dana Point Harbor and Baby Beach.
Lunch at Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern by the harbor.
Afternoon on Monarch Beach, sunset, then an early dinner.

Day 3: One last coastal escape

Brunch at the resort and a short, easy walk at the Headlands for views without a climb.

Family walking alongside yellow wild flowers at the Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area

Wellness Escapes: spa days, sunrise walks and slow mornings by the ocean.

Day 1: Settle in at the beach

Check into Hilton Garden Inn Dana Point Doheny Beach, steps from Doheny State Beach.
Afternoon at Baby Beach in the harbor, the calmest water in town for little swimmers. See the Dana Point beach guide.
Dinner at a family-friendly restaurant.

Day 2: Ocean science and whales

Morning at the Ocean Institute for hands-on exhibits and ocean programs.
Afternoon whale watching trip. Dolphins are spotted year-round.
Picnic and playground time at Lantern Bay Park.

Day 3: Bikes and sand

Bike the beach path at Doheny State Beach, then pancakes at Stacks Pancake House for the road. Traveling with grandparents? Book adjoining rooms and swap the bike ride for the flat harbor walk

People doing Yoga poses at Iheart Yoga In the Park

Harbor Adventures: whale watching, paddling, fishing, Catalina and the trails above the harbor.

Sunrise on the bluffs, an afternoon at the spa and nothing on the calendar after dinner.

Day 1: Arrive and exhale

Check into Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach. The resort's $300 nightly spa credit offer covers a treatment every day of your stay (see the spa offer).
Afternoon at the Waldorf Astoria Spa, then a swim and an early sunset.
Light, ocean-view dinner at AVEO Table + Bar.

Day 2: Move, breathe, recover

Sunrise walk on the Headlands trails or the Bluff Top Trail.
Calm-water stand-up paddle at Baby Beach with Pure Watersports.
Fresh produce and flowers at the Dana Point Farmers Market in La Plaza Park (Saturdays) or the Harbor Farmers Market (Wednesdays).
Second spa treatment, then an early night.

Day 3: Slow morning

Coffee on your balcony, a barefoot walk on Monarch Beach and an easy drive home. Other spa bases: The Ritz-Carlton Spa and The Spa at Laguna Cliffs also work for this itinerary. Compare all Dana Point spas and read our self-care guide to Dana Point.

Foodie Getaways: the Lantern District's best bites, from pizza to oceanfront fine dining.

Two ways to spend a weekend on and around the water: one that stays on the boats, and one that hikes, surfs and bikes the coast

Day 1: Paddle and a sunset cruise

Check into Hilton Garden Inn Dana Point Doheny Beach, minutes from the harbor
Rent a kayak or paddleboard from Pure Watersports and explore the calm inner harbor. Our Dana Point Harbor guide covers what's open and free parking.
Board an evening harbor cruise (live music, wine or a sunset sail) with Dana Wharf.
Seafood and cocktails at Glasspar.

Day 2: Whales or Catalina

Morning whale watching in the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World®.
Or take the full day: ride the Catalina Express from Dana Point Harbor for a Catalina Island day trip.
Afternoon at the Ocean Institute.

Day 3: Fish or float

Half-day sportfishing with Dana Wharf Sportfishing (see fishing in Dana Point), or one last swim at Baby Beach.

City of Dana Point

More getaways: girls trips and empty nesters.

Day 1: Bluffs and a Headlands sunset

Check into Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa on the bluff above the harbor.
Lunch at Coastal Kitchen.
Walk the Bluff Top Trail and the Strands Beach stairs.
Hike the Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area and catch sunset from the overlooks.

Day 2: Surf and an e-bike ride

Morning surf lesson at Doheny, where gentle waves are a favorite for beginners.
Lunch at Station Craft.
Rent an e-bike from Pedego Electric Bikes and ride the San Juan Creek Trail, which starts at Doheny and follows the creek inland.
Dinner at Craft House in the Lantern District.

Day 3: Beach morning

Sunrise beach walk at Doheny State Beach, breakfast near the harbor and home.

Woman relaxing with hot drink at a Dana Point spa resort

Foodie Getaways

Day 1: Pizza, cocktails and a view

Check into The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.
Late lunch at Truly Pizza on Del Prado, one of the most searched restaurants in town.
Stroll the Lantern District and stop for a cocktail at Shelter Distilling.
Sunset at 180blu, then dinner at RAYA (Ritz-Carlton dining).

Day 2: Pastries, markets and seafood

Coffee and pastries at Bon Appétit, a bistro, café and bakery on Del Prado.
Browse the Dana Point Farmers Market at La Plaza Park (Saturdays).
Seafood lunch at Hook & Anchor on La Plaza.
Dinner at Bourbon Steak Orange County at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach.

Day 3: Harbor brunch

Weekend brunch at Glasspar in the harbor, then home. Find more in our Dana Point restaurant guide.

Time it right: resort chef dinners and seasonal events pop up all year. Check Ritz-Carlton events and the Dana Point events calendar.

More Dana Point Getaways

Girls Trip: 2.5 Days of Happy Hours and Spa Time

Day 1: Harbor fun and happy hour

Check into Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa with your group; lunch at Coastal Kitchen.
Waterfront drinks and appetizers while the boats come in.
Dinner at Glasspar (happy hour starts at 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays).

Day 2: Whales, boutiques and a spa afternoon

Morning whale watching cruise for group photos on the water.
Shop the Lantern District's boutiques and galleries, then a tasting at Shelter Distilling.
Massages at The Spa at Laguna Cliffs or another Dana Point spa.
Dinner and martinis at Luxe Restaurant & Martini Bar.

Day 3: Brunch and beach time

Brunch at Stacks Pancake House and group photos at Doheny State Beach.

How many days do you need in Dana Point?

Two to three days is ideal. That's enough for whale watching, a beach day, a hike and a few great meals without rushing

How far is Dana Point from Los Angeles and San Diego?

Dana Point sits between them in south Orange County, roughly an hour's drive from each without traffic. John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the closest airport.

What is the best time of year for a Dana Point getaway?

Any time. Fall brings warm water and fewer crowds, winter is gray whale season, spring has the Festival of Whales and summer is peak beach season.

Dana Point Itineraries: Weekend Getaways for Every Kind of Traveler

Couples Escapes: a romantic weekend, a luxury resort stay or a babymoon.

Family Escapes: Baby Beach, the Ocean Institute and a beachside home base at Doheny.

Wellness Escapes: spa days, sunrise walks and slow mornings by the ocean.

Harbor Adventures: whale watching, paddling, fishing, Catalina and the trails above the harbor.

Foodie Getaways: the Lantern District's best bites, from pizza to oceanfront fine dining.

More getaways: girls trips and empty nesters.

Foodie Getaways

More Dana Point Getaways

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