Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point is a popular beach in Orange County for surfing, body-boarding, and lounging. Located below The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel, and the Monarch Beach Golf Links golf course. This little beach along Southern California’s coast is almost a mile long and sits between two cliffs. A reef below the serene waters creates powerful waves and makes this beach a popular surfing and swimming spot. This beach destination also has tide pools perfect for those who want to observe sea creatures. There is also a nearby park to play lawn games or have a family picnic. If you come during the spring and summer months, a small concession building offers food and beach supplies, making this a convenient beach to post up for the day.
If you are planning on bringing your furry friend, keep in mind that dogs are welcome in the park, but not allowed on the sand.
Salt Creek Beach Park
Salt Creek Beach Park is a large grass park on top of a bluff above Salt Creek Beach. There are stairs down to the beach, or you can walk down the main driveway from the parking lot to access the beach. The park is perfect for idyllic sunsets, family picnics and is popular for weddings. Walking paths, restrooms, a half-court basketball, water fountains, and benches are strategically placed around the seven-acre park.
Salt Creek Beach Surfing
Salt Creek Beach surfing has been a surf spot for years. Before the paved parking area, surfers used to drive their cars right onto the beach. There is a mixture of waves (shore break to point break) making this a great beach for all ages and levels.
Salt Creek Beach Parking
The Salt Creek Beach parking lot is located on Ritz Carlton Dr. off the Pacific Coast Highway (known as PCH) and offers ample parking. At the center of the parking lot, a paved path leads down to Salt Creek Beach Park and Salt Creek Beach is located below the park. On busy days, a shuttle service will take visitors from the parking lot to the beach for $1.
Staying near Salt Creek Beach
Guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel can enjoy Beach Butler service to Salt Creek Beach. Beach Butlers will transport guests to and from Salt Creek Beach via a solar-powered beach shuttle, as well as set up beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas for overnight guests. Resort guests and members of Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club have access to beach shuttle service from the resort to the exclusive Monarch Bay Beach Club–the perfect spot for riding the waves, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the oceanfront restaurant and bar.
