Nestled between Los Angeles and San Diego along the California coast, Dana Point, California is a picture perfect town with a slow pace and temperate climate. This Orange County gem is the perfect destination for visitors to Southern California who want to spend lots of time at the beach or in the water, and is known for its fishing opportunities and whale watching tours. On land, the public trails course links all of the city's main parks and open spaces.
Dana Point is home to miles of sandy beach front, including Doheny State Beach, which is a part of a 62-acre property managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The beach spans across one mile, and the waters off the shore are popular for surfing and swimming. In low tide, this area of Dana Point is a treasure trove of visible sea creatures. The other beaches in Dana Point are Capistrano Beach, a scenic bit of sand on the south side of town replete with volleyball and basketball courts, and Salt Creek Beach, which sits underneath undisturbed cliffs. Salt Creek Beach is adjacent to a small reef, which affords excellent left swells for surfers and body boarders.
In keeping with its proud status as a favorite beach town, Dana Point is home to the Ocean Institute, a non-profit organization founded in 1977. The institute aims to bring awareness to ocean preservation and cleanliness, and draws in visitors interested in marine mammal cruises and educational children's programs.
Dana Point enjoys a temperate climate, with temperatures that tend to hover around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and about 275 sunny days each year. Even in the winter months, at its coldest the city still averages temperatures in the mid-60's during the day. The average rainfall is well below the national average — the city only sees about 13 inches of rain in one year.
