The far north end of the Dana Point Harbor is one of the best keep secrets in all of Orange County. For anyone looking for a relaxing day by themselves or with the kids, this is the place.
The best part, in my opinion, is the free parking less than one hundred yards from a great little beach. With kids in tow, the parking lot at the Ocean Institute makes child’s play out of getting from the car to sand. If that parking lot happens to be full (which I’ve never encountered), there is plenty of additional parking in the lot adjacent to the Pilgrim sailing ship.
The beach itself has great tide pools, which are just as much fun for adults as they are for kids. On our last visit, we found starfish, hermit crabs, sea anemones, and more barnacles than you could shake a stick at. Further down the beach, outside of the marine preserve boundaries, you can waste a whole day collecting rocks, shells, and sea glass.
When you need to stretch your legs, you can take a walk on top of the large rock jetty that shelters the harbor. The end of the jetty is a great place to curl up with your coffee and a book as you watch the yachts cruise in and out. Just make sure you stay on the top of the jetty though, as strong waves can wash pretty high up the side.
When our family is feeling really ambitious and outdoorsy, we’ll grab a couple of fishing poles and fish from the small pier next to the Pilgrim. Since you’re fishing from the pier, state laws says you don’t need to spend money on a fishing license. But, you will still need to be mindful of the possession limits on different types of fish.
To finish off a perfect lazy day, you can fire up the BBQ at one of the many picnic shelters along the road that leads to the Ocean Institute. If lighter fluid and matches are outside your comfort zone, there are some amazing restaurants overlooking the harbor including Canon’s and the Chart House.
To get to the north end of the Dana Point Harbor, take Golden Lantern to the main harbor entrance and turn right. Follow the signs for the Ocean Institute. If you are planning on going to the beach, walk along the dirt access road to the right of the Ocean Institute, right up against the hillside.
