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Feel Sand Between Your Toes at Salt Creek Beach: A popular surfing spot, you’ll also find folks body surfing, swimming and simply soaking up some vitamin D. Along with restrooms, there are outdoor showers, parking ($1/hour) and a small beach snack stand. 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949-923-2280, ocparks.com/beaches/salt. (Ron Kacmarcik/Shutterstock)
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When you walk from the parking lot through the tunnel to the beach, be sure to check out the murals. The south wall, with a girl surfer and Volkswagen bus, was designed by a local high school student and painted by fellow classmates. (Dana Rebmann)
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Use the Free Dana Point Trolley & Harbor Shuttle: You don’t need a car to get around Dana Point in the summer. Free trolleys run daily, every 15 minutes or so, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The route includes a number of parks and surf spots, and trolleys are conveniently equipped with surfboard and paddle board racks. visitdanapoint.com/danapointtrolley (aboutdanapoint.com)
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Feel Like a Sailor at Dana Point Harbor: With slips for more than 2,500 boats, sea-worthy vessels dominate the scene, but land lovers can enjoy a waterside stroll, or meal. (Anatoliy Lukich/Shutterstock)
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Thanks to its calm water and roped-off swimming area, the Dana Point Harbor’s Baby Beach is a popular spot for families. (Visit Dana Point)
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Watch the sun set at Dana Point Harbor. (SunflowerMomma/Shutterstock)
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Explore What’s Under the Waves at the Ocean Institute: It’s mission is to teach kids about the ocean and marine science, but anyone is welcome to explore the working labs and touch tanks, and learn about the world below the surface. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, (949) 496-2274, ocean-institute.org (Ocean Institute)
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On weekends, visitors can explore at their own pace. On weekdays, 30-minute guided tours take place every hour from 10:30am to 3:30pm. Weekend admission is $10 for adults and $7.50 for kids (3-14) and seniors (55+). Weekday tour tickets are $5.00 per person. (Ocean Institute)
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Step Aboard the Pilgrim: Dana Point is named after Richard Henry Dana. He visited the area in the 1800s on a trading ship named Pilgrim. The Ocean Institute has a replica of the ship docked at Dana Point Harbor. Built in 1945 in Denmark, it’s available for tours. (Visit Dana Point)
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Adventure out to Sea: The Ocean Institute runs a variety of cruises dedicated to teaching kids and the public about the ocean and the amazing animals that call it home. Depending on the time of year, on the Whale and Marine Life Tour, you could spot whales, dolphins, sea lions and a variety of seabirds. $35 per person. (Ocean Institute)
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Raise a sail on an adventure aboard a tall ship, or learn about plankton, fish and squid that know how to shine on Bioluminescence Night cruises. Ocean Institute cruises cost $60, and $45, respectively. (Ocean Institute)
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Evening Wine Cruise: Every Friday and Sunday night you can discover a new favorite wine while cruising Dana Point Harbor. Since the catamaran doesn’t leave the calm harbor, it’s ideal for anyone prone to getting sea sick. $49 per person. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, (888) 224-0603, danawharf.com (Visit Dana Point)
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Eat at WhataDish Cafe: About a 15-minute walk from the center of Dana Point Harbor, WhataDish is open for breakfast and lunch. The Nicoise salad, with pole and line caught ahi tuna, is a highlight. 24921 Dana Point Harbor Drive, B100, Dana Point, (949) 276- 4884, whatadishoc.com (WhataDish Cafe)
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Eat at Coastal Kitchen: Open for dinner and lunch, menu options include the likes of New England Clam Chowder, shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, and jumbo lump cakes served with red cabbage slaw, or atop a salad with avocado and champagne vinaigrette. 34091 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, (949) 449-2822, coastalkitchendanapoint.com (Coastal Kitchen)
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Try your best to save room for the S’mores Pie. Family owned, Coastal Kitchen boasts some unique history and is housed in the first commercial building in Dana Point. (Coastal Kitchen)
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Eat at Bourbon Steak Orange County: Lobster Pot Pie is a delicious thing. Who knew? And watching it go from pot to plate is impressive at Chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak Orange County. 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, (800) 722 -1543, michaelmina.net/restaurants/southern-california (Monarch Beach Resort)
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Stay at Monarch Beach Resort: This coastal resort boasts panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from just about every turn. Its 400 rooms and suites have an upscale, beachy feel. Room rates start at $499, plus a daily $50 resort charge. One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, (800) 722-1543, monarchbeachresort.com (Monarch Beach Resort)
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A fashionable, electric beach tram shuttles guests down the hillside, through an 18-hole golf course, to the Monarch Bay Beach Club where chairs, umbrellas, and towels are waiting. Folks can take a surfing lesson, head out on a stand up paddle board, or simply settle in for a nap. (Photo Courtesy Monarch Beach Resort)
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Along with a restaurant and bar, there’s a stretch of lawn studded with chairs, umbrellas and tables topped with fire pits perfect for sunset s’mores. (Monarch Beach Resort)
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Book a Spa Day: The Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort offers more than 70 treatments. Spa programming includes more than 40 fitness and meditation classes that are complimentary to hotel guests, along with a 24/7 fitness center. (Monarch Beach Resort)
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Hit the Links, No Golf Clubs Required: You don’t have to be a golfer to appreciate the 18-hole course at Monarch Beach Resort. You can take in the best scenic ocean views in about an hour on a Golf Board or Phat Scooter tour. $75 per person. (Monarch Beach Resort)
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Stay at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Doheny Beach: If you’re looking to do the beach on a budget, the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Doheny Beach offers 196 rooms a 10-minute or so walk from Doheny State Beach. Room rates start at $179. 34402 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, (949) 661-1100, hilton.com/en/doubletree
