In the 1950s, Dana Point wasn’t even a town. On the southern edge of Orange County, 7 miles of beach and surf breaks served as an oasis for young people growing up in Southern California. Teenagers escaped to Dana Point with their siblings, boyfriends and girlfriends, carrying their balsa wood boards in teams of two due to the weight of the equipment. They played guitar by the campfire and caught waves until it was too dark to see.
It was here, at what is now known as Doheny State Beach, that Hobie Surfboards had its first store along the Pacific Coast Highway. Hobie Alter became the first person to mass produce surfboards from foam, making them lighter and more accessible than ever before. Just up the street, Surfer Magazine got its start thanks to Jon Severson. In a nearby office, Bruce Brown produced the most iconic surf movie in history, The Endless Summer, not to mention Doheny State Beach was highlighted in the song, Surfin’ USA by The Beach Boys. As generations of legendary surfers and their stories were born here, you could say that Dana Point the birthplace of U.S surf Culture.
Life along the water is part of our DNA. While other towns are busy claiming to be the United States’ first or original, we’re out there doing what we’ve always done: surfing.
Doheny State Beach: Learning to Surf
Located right off of the Pacific Coast Highway, only 10 minutes from Laguna Beach, Doheny State Beach is iconic for being the best place to learn how to surf in California. First timers and up and coming wave riders can find fun in the slow rolling waves of the inside. Known as the Boneyard, the friendly waves welcome visitors to experience California surf culture and hang loose.
Dana Point Surfing Lessons
Girl in the Curl offers surf lessons with expert instruction at Doheny Beach year-round. All 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 favorite sport. Pro-tip: If you want to sound like a local, be sure to refer to this beach as “Doho.” Set up a Dana Point surfing lesson today by calling or checking out Girl in the Curl surf shop’s page.
Strands Beach surf break sits in a small cove between the point of the headland and Salt Creek Beach. This is what true bliss looks like: perfect waves, stunning views from the beach and the water and friendly locals willing to share expert insights for navigating this break. To get to Strands, park at the top of the bluff (for free!) in the Strands Vista Park parking lot. From there, head down the stairways to the wide-open beach where you can paddle out with the locals or spend a great day relaxing in the sand.
Strands Beach surf break sits in a small cove between the point of the headland and Salt Creek Beach. This is what true bliss looks like: perfect waves, stunning views from the beach and the water and friendly locals willing to share expert insights for navigating this break. To get to Strands, park at the top of the bluff (for free!) in the Strands Vista Park parking lot. From there, head down the stairways to the wide-open beach where you can paddle out with the locals or spend a great day relaxing in the sand.
