Dana Point is California’s best coastal destination for year-round whale watching. While two major migrations happen annually — gray whales move November through April with peaks in February and March and blue whale sightings rise May through November — viewings are possible most days of the year.
Its active marine life has even given the Southern California city the nickname “Dolphin and Whale Capital of the World.”
While all eyes are on the gray, blue and humpback whales that draw visitors in, they are just the beginning of the rich marine life off the coast of Dana Point. Visitors on whale-watching tours often see dolphin pods with animals numbering in the hundreds as well as sea lions and sharks.
Dana Point is situated along the Pacific Coast Highway and rich with coastal bluffs and rocky shorelines. Unlike larger Southern California towns, Dana Point boasts a rugged charm, with uninterrupted landscapes and sweeping ocean views from open parks and beach trails.
RELATED: Sonoma Coast named best place in the US for whale watching
Traveling from the Bay Area by car promises a scenic drive, but if you chose to fly in, the city is also located smack in between Los Angeles and San Diego.
Come for the whales
While these marine mammals can often be seen from the shores of popular beaches like the Dana Point Headlands and Dana Point Harbor, the best way to guarantee you’ll glimpse them is to book a boat tour. Dana Wharf Whale Watching is among the harbor’s premier options, with a teacher onboard ready to offer an extra dose of education to guests. While sipping champagne on the deck, she fields questions about migration habits and other fun facts, drawing from a lifetime of work in elementary education.
No two days are the same and viewings cannot be guaranteed, but I’ve personally never seen so many dolphins and whales on a single tour before. A clear day ups your chances of seeing active animals, and of course, rough waters can spell trouble, but most days, you’ll see a mix of creatures, including large whales playing to the crowd, spouting water from their blowholes and arching in front of vessels.
Dana Wharf Whale Watching is the oldest whale watching outfitter in Orange County, but it’s not the only. The harbor houses plenty of tour boat operators that provide their own iteration of the experience.
For example, another popular outfit offering educational tours is Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari, which Coast Guard-licensed Capt. Dave Anderson and his wife, Gisele, have run for more than 20 years. Anderson and his team are well-known for documenting whales, dolphins and other marine mammals through photography, film and live social media videos; their catamaran, Manute’a, even features underwater viewing pods.
If you’re looking to stay on the beach and search out mammals with your binoculars, you can also travel to Doheny State Beach and Salt Creek Beach nearby. The former offers room for activities, including a large lawn prime for picnics and volleyball courts. Outdoor adventurers can even choose to camp overnight.
Fuel up on fresh fare
There’s more than one reason to visit the harbor, and the dining fare is amongst our top. Whether you’re killing time before a tour or Dana Point is your destination for the day, make time for a cocktail or a worthwhile meal.
Drinks at Turk’s are impossible to pass up. The dive bar overlooks the water, but it’s a no-frills establishment. Grab a cold beer or a quick and easy cocktail and don’t forget to look up while you’re inside — there’s fish swimming in the ceiling (no, really).
If you’re hungry, fill up on fresh seafood favorites and other lunch classics at Proud Mary’s. The salads and sandwiches make good beach snacks while you watch the waves roll in and the boats slip in and out. The best part is you can do it all with a bloody mary in hand.
Of course, Southern California is also home to plenty of high-end restaurants, and in Dana Point, we’re championing one with a view. Settled inside the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina offers high-end luxury on an oceanfront property. The best idea is to come at sunset when you can enjoy the orange and pink skies (underneath a heater if needed).
The menu is reminiscent of Mina’s other Bourbon Steak locations, like the ones in Santa Clara and San Francisco, and includes indulgences such as caviar trios and wagyu steak flights. Mina seems to be a fan of foods that come in threes, starting meals with a round-up of french fries and offering triple sauce options for steak entrees. The rest of the menu is heavy in seafood favorites, which seems obvious when you consider where you are.
Stay with a view
Coming to Dana Point without prioritizing the view feels like a silly idea. So, when you’re choosing your accommodations take note of your surroundings.
That Waldorf Astoria won’t disappoint, perched on a 150-foot seaside bluff and sprawling across 175 acres. Luxury amenities include a private beach club, and some suites even come with private fire pits. There’s also swimming pools and golf on-site.
The Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa is another amenity-heavy option for travelers. The entire property melds the indoors and outdoors with a lounge overlooking the coast, fire pits at the chef-driven seafood restaurant Lantern’s Edge and poolside dining options. The pool and hot tub setup look like they were plucked from an island retreat, set underneath palm trees and boasting a splash pad.
The Blue Lantern Inn offers boutique accommodations with a bed and breakfast feel. You can dine communally with guests every morning or sip wine at reception hours each evening. The modern rooms overlook the harbor and enjoy sweeping views of the landscapes below, best enjoyed with a cup of coffee or wine in hand.
The other best exports
The rest of your time in Dana Point can follow a simple itinerary that feels equal parts relaxing and fun. The Dana Point Harbor is home to many shops ranging from kitschy souvenir spots to cute clothing boutiques.
Monarch Bay Plaza is another shopping hub. There’s a smattering of locally owned boutiques including a pet supply store. You can also grab donuts or a bite at Salt Creek Grille. This area doubles as a hub for health and beauty businesses including sauna suites, a nail salon, fitness classes, a barbershop and a hair removal and spray tanning combo concept.
If you came for the beer, grab a coastal favorite at one of two locales, both hailed as dog friendly. Station Craft Brewery + Kitchen is a great place to grab locally made beers and even enjoy a flight. Or stop by Dana Point Ale House, where you can sip on local brews from Humboldt to San Diego.
For wine, Frisby Cellars Winery has a Dana Point tasting room that boasts both vino served by the glass, bottle or flight and views of the water.
If you consider yourself an art aficionado, before leaving town head to Watermen’s Plaza where surf-centric artwork and statues abound. You can take a self-guided tour of the art installations while gaining a greater understanding of local surf culture.
Festival of Whales
The 55th Dana Point Festival of Whales takes place March 6-8, promising marine-themed activities, educational exhibits and family-friendly entertainment as well as whale-watching excursions and marine conservation talks.
At 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, members of the Acjachemen Nation, with the help of the Dana Point Surf Club, will kick off the festival with a “Welcoming of the Whales” beach ceremony followed by a reception at the Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.
From 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, locals will race handmade boats in the Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash at Baby Beach, 34451 Ensenada Place, Dana Point. The Magical Migration Parade starts at 10 a.m. that same day, with giant helium balloons, marching bands, colorful floats, classic cars, military units and more at 799 Harbor Way, Dana Point.
Other weekend events include a classic carnival, a classic boat show, live music, art lessons aboard a whale-watching vessel, a clam chowder cook-off and a beach-cleanup. For more information, visit festivalofwhales.com
If you go
The Blue Lantern Inn: 34343 Street of the Blue Lantern, Dana Point, 949-661-1304; bluelanterninn.com
Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari: Most public tours start between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. daily; the boats can also be chartered for private tours. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949-577-8403; dolphinsafari.com
Dana Point Ale House: Open 2-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 2-9 p.m. Fridays, noon-9 p.m. Saturdays, noon-6 p.m. Sundays and closed Mondays, 24471 Del Prado Ave., Suite A, Dana Point, 949-525-6551; danapointalehouse.com
Dana Wharf Whale Watching: Open 6 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949-496-5794; danawharf.com
Frisby Cellars Winery: Open noon-7 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, noon-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 34661 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949-218-9440; frisbycellars.com
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa: 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, 949-661-5000; marriott.com
Monarch Bay Plaza: Open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, 32840 CA-1, Dana Point, 760-753-7722; monarchbayplaza.com
Proud Mary’s: Open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. daily, 34689 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, (949) 493-5853; proudmarysdp.com
Station Craft Brewery + Kitchen: Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 34150 CA-1, Dana Point, 949-264-8288; stationcraft.com
Turk’s: Open 8 a.m.-11 p.m. daily, 34683 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949-496-9028; turksdpharbor.com
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach: 1 Monarch Beach Resort N., Dana Point, 949-234-3200, waldorfastoriamonarchbeach.com
Watermen’s Plaza: 15 PCH Pedestrian Bridge-Northbound, Dana Point, 949-723-9914; visitdanapoint.com
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