Sand, Sun and Splendor

Best Beaches in Dana Point

Dana Point is basically one big beach–6.5 miles of sand. Dana Point provides easy access to beaches whether you want to go surfing or build sand castles with your toddler. Unlike other Orange County beach towns, Dana Point beaches are available right off the highway. Just a short trip from Los Angeles, you can pull onto CA-1, known as the Pacific Coast Highway, and pick any one of the incredible Dana Point beaches.

Doheny State Beach offers outstanding swimming and surfing on a one-mile stretch of jaw-dropping coastline. Volleyball, basketball, cycling and other activities are available at Capistrano Beach along scenic south Dana Point. Salt Creek Beach and Strands Beach are known for their surfing, but they are also popular for swimming and sunbathing. And, of course, Baby Beach between Dana Point Harbor and the Ocean Institute takes after its namesake with mellow ocean waves and plenty of nearby restrooms and restaurants for families. Learn more about Dana Point beaches and then find the perfect sandy spot for your getaway.

Capistrano Beach

When you hear the word ‘Capo’ in Dana Point, it doesn’t always refer to a tool for a guitar. It’s probably a local referring to Capistrano Beach. The southernmost Dana Point beach, just down the way from San Juan Capistrano, offers extensive facilities including a basketball court, beach volleyball courts, boardwalk and lots of parking for easy access. You can pay for parking using cash or credit card at the pay stations operated by OC Parks.

Capo Beach offers fire pits on a first-come-first-served basis. Get there early to reserve and bring a cooler to camp out for the day. Please leave your glass containers at home, though.

Doheny State Beach

Of all the Dana Point beaches, Doheny State Beach is the most iconic. Long before Dana Point became a town in 1989, surf enthusiasts loaded up their cars and parked directly on the beach for a day of catching waves, sunbathing and beach bonfires. Doheny State Beach conjures up images of teenagers with surfboards leaned against their Chevy Bel Airs, enjoying the carefree, post-World War II vibes with friends. Even some of the great surfing heroes like Hobie Alter, John Severson and Phil Edwards took their turn riding the legendary Killer Dana wave at Doheny State Beach. You can visit Watermen’s Plaza, located across from Doheny Beach at the base of the pedestrian bridge, to see a collection of bronze statues dedicated to the great water men and women who revolutionized the surfing industry.

Doheny State Beach features over one mile of sandy beach and some of the best swimming and surfing in California. Longboard surfers and those new to the sport as well as boogie boarders appreciate the long slow ride of these waves.

Wheel Fun Rentals, located on the beach, offers a large assortment of bicycle and beach rentals including family cycles, specialty cycles, tandems, cruiser bikes, surfboards, boogie boards, other beach rentals and more.

Adjacent to Wheel Fun Rentals is DOHO Cafe, an outdoor café offering a great menu of beach bites, traditional American fare, fresh Acai bowls and refreshing drinks to take back to your beach towel, picnic table, or to enjoy on the café’s full-service patio.

If you want to wake up to the smell of salt air, you can camp at Doheny State Beach. The campground features 121 developed family campsites and the picnic area has 170 picnic tables and 99 barbecue grills. Campsites can be booked through Reserve California. Check out their website for information on booking timelines and availability to best plan your outdoor camping adventure beachside.

While dogs are not allowed on the beach, you can bring your furry friend to the campground, including day use and picnic areas, as long as they are on a leash and an adult is with them at all times. There are park entrance fees for motorized vehicles, which cover your parking, but you can save a few dollars by walking or biking into the park.

Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis and this popular beach can get busy on the weekends. Check out the Doheny State Beach Visitor Center and view the man made tide pool up close as well as the hidden butterfly habitat.

Also note before hitting the local waters make sure you beach safely by being aware of rip currents, practice surf etiquette, be sun smart, and check for lifeguards. Learn more about your favorite Dana Point beach spots and plan your beach day!

Monarch Beach

Monarch Beach, located at the base of the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, is named because of Monarch Bay’s legacy as a breeding ground for monarch butterflies. Monarch Beach is accessible to the public, as the beach resort’s guests and as a guest at one of the most incredible golf courses, Monarch Beach Golf Links.

To get to Monarch, visitors can park at Salt Creek Beach Park near The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Walk down the beach and head north along the wide sandy beach and you’ll come across the Monarch Bay Beach Club. Facilities at the beach club are exclusive to resort guests and members, but anyone can enjoy the wide expanse of sand and sunshine. This expanse of beach is perfect for an evening stroll with a loved one.

Salt Creek Beach

At Salt Creek Beach, a small, offshore reef creates some of the best left swells along the entire Southern California coast, making this a favorite destination for the surfers. Swimming, body surfing, sunbathing and tide pool exploration offer fun for the whole family. The park consists of sandy beaches, rocky headlands and sheer cliffs. An expansive grassy area, called Salt Creek Beach Park, is located just steps from the sand and offers some of Dana Point’s most spectacular views of the ocean, especially at sunset when vibrant colors fill the sky and the sun disappears behind Catalina Island. The original ravine canyon, locally known as Salt Creek, forms the northerly boundary of the beach. You can reach Salt Creek Beach using Ritz Carlton Dr. off the Pacific Coast Highway.

Strands Beach

Sitting near seaside cliffs and tucked below The Strands community, Strands Beach offers public access to waves and wonder. Parking at Strands Vista Park, which sits above the beach giving way to stunning views of the coast, is free, making it the perfect place to come for the day.

Get a rewarding workout by taking the stairs leading to and from the sand at Strands Beach. Do a full loop by walking downstairs at the north end of the beach, continuing down the boardwalk along the water, and then heading back up another staircase at the south end of the beach. Go left at the top of the stairs to get back to the parking. Go right for access to incredible trails through the Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area.

Strands Beach is also a marine conservation area, making it an incredible place to explore tide pools. And yes, all ability levels can explore it thanks to the free incline elevator that makes it accessible during limited hours.

Remember: You are not allowed to collect anything from the beach, but there’s no limit on the photos and memories you can walk away with. There are restrooms and showers available, but no snack bars, so be sure to pack a picnic and water. Please, always pack out your trash, too.

Things to Do Near Dana Point Beach, California

If you need to get out of the sun or grab some food, Dana Point beaches are near extensive food, attractions and shopping.

After a few hours at Baby Beach, bring your family to the Ocean Institute just steps away. The Ocean Institute is part aquarium, part educational facility and 100 percent awesome. Using the ocean as a classroom, they inspire children and parents alike to learn. The Ocean Institute offers whale watching tours, guided exploration of historical ships docked in the harbor and up-close-and-personal interactions with local ocean life.

After a day at Doheny State Beach or Crystal Cove State Park, you can stop in at the rooftop bar at Hilton Garden Inn Dana Point – Doheny Beach to enjoy happy hour as you watch the sunset over the palm trees and surfers using the final rays of light. Or head to the heart of Dana Point Harbor. Locals love to fuel up with a sandwich and coffee at Coffee Importers. You can sit out on waterfront patio of Wind & Sea Restaurant to enjoy fresh seafood and cocktails.

Local Beach Etiquette

When you visit Dana Point beaches, there are a few key things you can do that’ll make you a real local:

Pack In. Pack Out.
Help us keep Dana Point beaches pristine by cleaning up your trash and personal items before you leave the beach.

Know Your Limits.
Whether you’re surfing, swimming or simply playing in the waves, know your personal limits and skill level. The ocean is powerful and can be unpredictable. Pick a beach and a surf break that matches your skill level. Stay safe and enjoy your time on the water.

Stay Hydrated.
When you pack your cooler for the beach, don’t forget a few bottles of water to keep you enjoying the sunshine all day long.

Sunblock > Sunburn
One of the best parts of visiting Dana Point is year-round sunshine. But don’t forget to bring your sunscreen! Nothing will put a damper on your vacation quite like a lobster-red sunburn.