The 17 BEST Surf-Inspired Things to do in Dana Point, California
Can we all agree that a vacation planned around experiences is decidedly better than just lounging in your hotel room?
Yes? Ok. Perfect. Because one of the best things to do in Dana Point is dive head first into the surf culture.
I partnered with Visit Dana Point for this post. They helped me put together a beginner-friendly weekend itinerary that took me from learning about the history of surfing to actually getting in the water myself. This SoCal surf vacation getaway is the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Plus, you’ll go home with some new skills.
But if you don’t want to surf yourself, don’t worry. There are endless things to do in Dana Point that will awaken that sense of adventure. I’ve included restaurants, a museum, beaches, sea caves, the festival of whales, hikes and more in my itinerary here.
First, where is Dana Point, California?
Glad you asked!
Dana Point, California, is a harbor town whose houses hang on the side of cliffs that overlook the marina and the Pacific Ocean. It sits right on the famous Highway 101 – or the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s smack dab center between LA and San Diego (60 miles from Los Angeles and 65 miles from San Diego). Which means, Dana Point is an easy peasy day trip or weekend getaway far removed from the traffic of LA and the spring breakers that tend to flock to San Diego this time of year.
To the West, you have the open ocean – and the tiny island of Catalina. Famous for its bison herds and dramatic mountainous terrain.
To the East, you have Casper Wilderness, letting you turn your getaway into a full-on adventure, complete with surfing, whale watching, fishing, hiking, biking, camping and if you’re lucky, some prime spring super bloom views.
It’s also just 25 miles to the south of the John Wayne Airport and 33 miles from Disneyland.
Now that you know where Dana Point is, I see those wheels a-turnin’. Yes, the close proximity means that, if you have more time to spare and want to get the full California experience, you have options, friend.
But, whether you spend a week or weekend in town, here are the things you’re not going to want to miss.
My top experiences and things to do in Dana Point
I explored Dana Point, CA for an entire weekend. That was a great amount of time. But I also wanted my surf vacation itinerary to be totally accessible and beginner-friendly. I asked the team at Visit Dana Point to recommend the best local spots and experiences that would show me the real side of this beach town.
They didn’t disappoint.
1. Hike the Headlands for sunrise
The Headlands Conservation Area is a stunning swatch of land that juts out into the ocean before coming to a sheer drop into the water.
The trail system is an easy 3-mile hike or run. It links together the Hilltop Conservation Park, Harbor Point Conservation Park, Dana Point Preserve and South Strand Conservation Park. While walking, you can see down the coastline in either direction with a perfect vantage point of Dana Point Harbor.
One of the cool things to do in this area is to check out the marine wildlife and vegetation. Remember to scan the horizon for whales that are breaching off the coast during their yearly migration and enjoy the flowers blooming in every direction.
I wanted to get in a moderate morning run. So, I started by Strand beach and looped out to the coastline before hiking up to the hilltop for views of the town. Being there in the early morning, I got to watch the sunrise illuminate thousands of California sunflowers. There were also seals barking as they woke up on the rocks below the conservation area.
2. Learn about the history of surfing at the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center
I’m a big history nerd. And being in one of the places responsible for creating the California surf culture, it just felt right to make sure I included “learn about the sport” at the top of my list of things to do in Dana Point.
I was surprised to learn that the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center (SHACC) is the world’s most important collection of surfing artifacts, surfboards, photos, videos, artwork and more. We’re talking about 100-pound boards that were made by hand on the beaches of Dana Point and California by some of the most famous people in the history of surfing. Photos that captured surfing’s rich history lined the walls next to rows and rows of boards.
My favorites were of 50’s and 60’s surfing legends riding Killer Dana – the 12-foot swell that helped put Dana Point on the map for surfers looking for that next rush – Marilyn Monroe smiling in front of her longboard on a beach in Malibu, and a black and white copy of Freeth, who was the first person to go “wave riding” in the mainland United States in 1907.
The SHACC didn’t just focus on California’s love affair with surfing.
It covered everything we’ve learned about the history of people riding waves, dating back to when Captain Cook wrote about Pacific Islanders surfing in the 17th century and covered wanderlust-inducing stories of exploration, adventure and international travel, all fundamental to understanding what it means to be a surfer.
True to the ethos of doing it for the love of the water, the exhibit is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday and is a must-see when it comes to finding things to do in Dana Point for your own surf vacation.
Note: The SHACC is currently in San Clemente (a quick 20-minute drive from the Dana Point Harbor), but will actually be moving to the Dana Point Harbor as a part of their upcoming revitalization, giving visitors even easier access to the town’s surfing roots.
3. Grab a pre-surf snack at the farmer’s market
Hello, fresh oranges!
Eating local is of my favorite things to do (in Dana Point and anywhere, really) when I travel. Stopping at the weekend farmer’s market in Dana Point, CA was a great way to learn about town from the people who live there while also fueling up for my coastal adventures.
The market is open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at La Plaza Park (it’s on the intersection of the Pacific Coast Highway and Golden Lantern St). I’d recommend getting a coffee from Bear Coast Coffee in the Plaza first. Then, take full advantage of the samples. I left with a basket full of bright oranges and homemade tamales from one of the stands.
4. Take a surf lesson
Even though I already know how to surf, I’m definitely a beginner. Plus, I think that the best way to kick off a surf vacation is a with an instructor who can work with you at the level you are and give you a few things to practice for the weekend.
Visit Dana Point connected me with Girl in the Curl Surf Shop – a local, woman-owned shop that has been teaching lessons since 1987.
I met Mary, the owner, at Doheny Beach (walking distance from my room at the DoubleTree). She set me up with absolutely everything I needed to feel comfortable in the water. Anyone who takes a lesson with them is given a warm wetsuit, multiple surfboard options, a leash, wax (that they sell at their shop in town) and a private instructor with endless amounts of patience that is honed by spending hours upon hours in the water with their students.
I’ll put a pause here and quickly squash any protests you might be making while reading this.
You don’t need to be a surfer to go on a surf vacation, especially not in Dana Point, CA. The instructors are all really experienced surfers themselves and know CPR, First Aid, and Water Safety. They are used to working with kids, adults, groups, and all levels of surfers during one-day lessons and camps.
And, for any beginners reading this or anyone who knows a bit about surfing but could use some help (slowly raises hand), if you feel out of place taking lessons as an adult, you shouldn’t.
Learning how to surf is one of the coolest, hands-on things you can do in Dana Point!
I first took lessons in San Diego and then again when I was working at a surf camp in Costa Rica two years ago. But I still have so much to learn.
I looked a lot more like one of those weird blow up bendy floaty things that sit outside used car dealerships when I tried to stand than one of the graceful people out there on their longboards that morning. But the joy of learning how to surf while on vacation is that you can fall as many times as you, look goofy, and just have fun with absolutely no judgment!
I’m even willing to bet that you’ll be able to stand up on at least one wave.
I thought it was really cool to learn about the history of surfing before actually getting in the water. It made me feel a little bit more tied to the experience and even connected to the men and women who’ve surfed there before. And it made me smile to see that the spirit of surfing and camaraderie in the water that I read about at the SHACC was still very visible to see today.
5. Visit a famous Dana Point beach for sunset
Any surf vacation should include plenty of beach lounging. When it comes to things to do in, this is a given. Dana Point has multiple sandy beaches that are easy to access and surrounded by parks, walking paths and plenty of space to put out a towel for the afternoon.
During the spring, you can even do a little whale watching from the shore – just keep your eyes peeled for bursts of water on the horizon!
I visited Strand Beach a rocky cove on the north side of town, Salt Creek Beach, where a local surf contest was going on, Doheny State Beach, where I took my lesson and looked down on Dana Point Headlands Beach during my morning hike. Here’s a full list of the Dana Point beaches that will keep you busy during your visit:
- Strand Beach
- Salt Creek Beach
- Doheny State Beach
- Headlands Beach
- Capistrano Beach Park
- Dana Point Harbor Beach
- Monarch Bay Beach
- Poche Beach
6. Have a drink at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
It’s hard to visit Dana Point and not notice the sprawling Ritz property.
It sits on top of the cliffs overlooking Salt Creek Beach. And, as you would expect from the brand, it has some pretty amazing views. I’m more of a picnic on the front lawn gal myself. So, I sat eating my fruit and other finds from the morning farmer’s market.
However, a memorable thing to do in Dana Point is to have a drink at the restaurant. You don’t need to be a guest at the hotel to come for coffee, brunch or happy hour.
7. Look for local events that celebrate Dana Point’s culture and history
I planned my visit to Dana Point to be the weekend of the first annual Hurley 2019 Spring Classic Dana Point Shop Challenge. I’ve never watched a surf competition in person and thought it would be perfect for a surf vacation.
Before getting in the water, everyone came together for an opening prayer. It was led by the spiritual leader of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation. Then, the event kicked off.
It was really fun to watch 26 surfers (open to men and women from the ages of 14 up) compete for a spot on the Dana Point Surf Club. They were supported by their local friends, family members, and shops. And the winner of each category automatically qualified to represent Dana Point in the West Coast Board Riders series.
They also got to compete against each other in a final sudden death heat. (I’m not sure if that was the actual name of it).
I just know they got 20 minutes to paddle out and catch as many waves as they could. Racking up points based on the waves they caught and their style, the highest scorer got to claim the title of the top surfer for the day. And I left feeling really inspired to keep practicing my own skills.
If you don’t happen to catch a surf contest during your surf-inspired vacation, see what else is going on in the community. Some things and annual events in Dana Point I’d keep my eye on are the Festival of Whales, the Beachside Wine Festival, Doheny Blues Fest, and Ohana Fest.
8. Get your Brunch On at a Local Restaurant
Weekends are for brunching, amirite?
You should know by now that I really love food. Like, I may or may not have planned entire vacations around good food.
Fortunately, the people in Dana Point feel the same way I do. There are tons of great places to fit your vibe. You can find an upscale restaurant on the cliffs, a grab-and-go place in the harbor or something in between. I wanted something that provides laid-back vibes, a sit-down option, and a great price point.
I’m not a food blogger (although, I’m not going to say I won’t taste test your food). But I followed my stomach to What a Dish. I was in my happy place listening to the Iive music and having a veggie-friendly bennie. Okay, and I had a muffin from their homemade pastry counter.
I was only in town for a quick weekend, but I had dinner the night before at Craft House, and a little birdie also told me they do a bottomless mimosa special for Sunday Brunch.
9. Explore the Harbor
I needed to walk off brunch. One of the more relaxing things to do in Dana Point is just walk around the harbor.
So, that’s where I headed.
You can actually drive all the way to the end of the harbor. Just park your car at the end or park along any of the shops that line the coastline. I’d recommend parking in one of the lots before the bridge. That way, you are nice and close to all the cute shops.
You can peruse the shops or pull up a chair and watch the boats come into harbor.
You’ll see everything from recreational speed boats and vacationers on kayaks to merchant fishermen coming in with the day’s haul and lived-in sailboats that look like they’re carrying stories from all around the world. After just a few minutes, it’s easy to see that the harbor and the ocean isn’t just a part of Dana Point’s history, but is still very much a part of its everyday culture.
The harbor is about to become an even better thing to see in Dana Point. There are some upcoming renovations that will help restore some of the shops and restaurants. The goal is to create more dining/shopping options for people to come and enjoy the waterfront.
10. Visit the original Hobie Surf Shop
You got good food, local vibes and probably even caught a few waves yourself. Why not end your SoCal surf vacation with a stop at one of the first surf shops in the US?
Hobie Alter is a name you’ll recognize if you went to the SHACC. He was an Orange County local, total surfing legend and one of the people (along with Bruce Brown) responsible for creating the laid back culture that is still present in Dana Point today. The shop opened in 1954 and has seen some of the best people in the sport walk through its front doors. Plus, it’s still operating today along the Pacific Coast Highway.
It was one of my favorite things to do in Dana Point. I thought it was a great way to make everything I had learned and experienced come full-circle. Plus, I got to pick out a few beach-y things that I’ll wear this summer while remembering my weekend getaway.
Other Things to do in Dana Point
I didn’t have time to get to everything on my list in 2 days. I prioritized the things that I felt were important to do for a surf-inspired vacation in SoCal. In town for longer than a weekend? I’d make sure you keep these things to do in Dana Point on your list…
- Whale Watching – Dana Point is world-famous for having one of the largest concentrations of blue whales and dolphins on Earth. It also has the world’s first and longest-running whale watching celebrations – The Annual Festival of Whales. It runs during two weekends in early March, during peak migration season.
- Sea Caves – The cliffs that come up to the ocean and frame Dana Point’s beaches make the perfect environment for hidden caves to pop up. These are naturally occurring due to erosion and are fun to explore during low tide. Please be careful with the tides. It can become impossible to get in – or out – of these at high tide.
- Dana Point Ocean Institute – This is a family-friendly option to learn more about the coastal and marine wildlife in Dana Point. If you loved the SHACC, plan to tour the Ocean Institute and see the historic tallships that they have!
- Stand Up Paddleboarding – If you hiked the highlands or walked along the harbor, you might get FOMO watching the paddlers in the harbor. It’s a bit easier to do than surfing, doesn’t require a wetsuit or instructor and is just as fun! Plus, there are plenty of places where you can rent a board for the day.
- Dana Point Waterfall – Whaaat, waterfall? Yes! This is a seasonal (and sometimes elusive) waterfall that happens near the harbor after a good rain. The fact that not everyone gets to see it makes it worth checking out.
- Visit the Monarch butterfly nesting trees – Did you know that, each spring, hundreds of thousands of butterflies migrate through SoCal on their way to Mexico? This is also a very seasonal activity. But you’ll always remember seeing one of the trees at Doheny State Beach covered in butterflies!
- Take a sunset cruise – Amidst all the active water activities I mentioned, this one got overlooked! One of the things you might want to do in Dana Point is simply take in a famous West Coast sunset. Well, they’ve got you covered.
Dana Point Camping & Hotels
With such a long list of things to do in Dana Point, you’re bound to stay busy. But when it comes to laying your head down at night, you also have some options. These run the gamut from falling asleep to waves crashing near your tent at Doheny State Beach to relaxing in a fully renovated suite at the DoubleTree.
I did both, because, hey, sometimes you need both.
My first night, I actually stayed outside of town in the Casper Wilderness. It has really well-kept campgrounds and beautiful hiking trails. After a jam-packed day of uncovering all the fun things to do in Dana Point, I was happy to partner with the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Doheny Beach. I had a king-sized bed, rooftop bar, bathtub, and warm chocolate chip cookies – of course – to melt away any residual stress that was lingering from the work week.
The DoubleTree in Dana Point is the perfect mix of value and luxury. Plus, it puts you walking distance to the beach. But, if you want a full resort experience, you can also check out Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, Monarch Beach Resort or The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.
There seemed to be pretty open availability in the hotels. If you are looking to camp, though, you’ll want to book out at least a month in advance!
While wandering around town and discovering all these things to do in Dana Point, I had the opportunity to really meet the people that call this place home.
Their passion and authenticity shone through every time they spoke. It was visible in the guide at the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center injecting his own surf anecdotes with a twinkle his eye that could hardly be feigned. It was visible in the locals pouring drinks behind the bar at Craft House Dana Point, sharing their obsession for great food (ideally, I’d imagine, fresh from the ocean) that can only come from a place that’s deeply connected to the resources around it.
I was welcomed into the community with open arms. And I left with the sort of happy heart you get after an active weekend spent in the sun.
When you go, I’m sure you’ll feel this same small beach town vibe!
