Dana Point Harbor Reviews

What is not to like about the Dana Point Harbor. Plenty of place to have a little stroll, nice restaurants and beautiful boats to look at. Great spot to spend a little off time.

My husband and I spent 5 nights in Dana Point and the Dana Point Harbor became our hang out place. Lots of great restaurants and little shops. We had coffee and dessert one afternoon on an outside patio. We enjoyed seeing the many boats and vessels and walking along the docks.

Take in Beautiful Dan Point Harbor and go enjoy a nice meal, shop the shops or just walk along the harbor. There are benches along the way of your walk. It's clean and pet friendly. If you have a pet you will most likely see other pets a walk. There are coffee shops, ice cream shops, restaurants and nice views. Parking can be scarce but there is valet parking offered in one part of the harbor. Make plans and go out one evening and enjoy. Recommended!

good free parking, several restaurants and shops with easy access. Coffee shops, several restaurants, cruise/charters, obligatory sea lions hanging around. nice free diversion

We walked around the harbor. So many types of seafaring boats. Interesting to compare all the different boats. This location is fun for tourist and locals. Lots of people with dogs and locals willing to weave tales of their local. Lots of restaurants and some touristy stores as well. Great afternoon in the sun.

Dana Point Harbor has a marina with lots of boats. The scenery of the Pacific ocean is beautiful. The harbor has lots of souvenir shops featuring beach-themed trinkets and restaurants in all price categories. There's walking areas by the storefronts. I enjoyed being near the ocean and inhaling the ocean air. It's a relaxing environment. Parking is quite limited. Valet parking is available.

Great harbour has lots of shops and restaurants. Fishing boats and whale watching.
Lots of free parking and clean restrooms.

Nice shops around . Must go for photo op. It's nice place to hang out . Have coffee or a meal. I wasn't able to go back for the sunset, but I think it would be gorgeous.

Views were fantastic on a very warm autumn day! Many paddle boarders on water. Missed Brunch so we ordered from Lunch menu. Food was just okay. Service extremely slow and forgetful. Perhaps Sundays aren’t the best choice of days!

Absolutely stunning!! Sunsets, sailboats, surfers, beautiful views every direction! Pirate ships and whale watching ...

So much on offer down here , harbour , marina , resturants cafe and bars the beach just go and explore yourself .

This marina/harbour is huge. So so many boats in this harbour which leads to people being able to do many different water sports.

A nice experience fishing from Dana Point. The Captain was very friendly and helpful. Nice gear with lots of bait. Only thing to bring was some refreshments. Went to different spots off the coast fishing deep. Captain helped out with bait, tangles, getting equipment ready and of course lots of tips and stories. Caught some sculpin, rock fish, shark and later hooked a tuna which was fun. Beautiful day out on the water. Was a little disappointed in our catches for the day, but that's fishing. Still a great trip on a nice boat.

Free 4-hour parking on the main parking lots. Free parking on the "island", and along the street. Take a permit for over 4-hour parking while on a fishing trip, or taking Catalina Express (use a separate parking lot then).
Group fishing via Dana Wharf (staring at $40, you can rent or buy fishing gear), also whale watch.
Private small boat fishing starts at $500 for 5 hours (a couple of companies offer this).
Aventura sailing club may offer skippered sailing trips.
Many picnic areas with grills on the "island", and a couple of picnic areas along Dana Harbor drive.
Many restaurants.

It is worth the stop if Dana Point Yacht Club is having an open house. Normally this club is a "Member's Only" option, but during an open house you can go in and see one of the best views in the harbor from the Horizon bar.

Lovely place just to walk around, eat, or shop. Plenty of parking and a beautiful place to admire the yachts and the ocean landscape.

Lovely spot to just stroll and relax and take in the sights. Cute shops and restaurants with something to appeal to everyone. Wish I could remember the name of the coffee place, but it was great coffee and very reasonably priced. We were there in early December and the area was beautifully decorated in an interesting style. I think I fell in love with California because of Dana Point.

Easy access to beach, very clean and well maintained. There is a lovely mid break with a lot of local surfers.

It was a habor with lots of boats. There were some shops which they called the village but nothing special. It was a place where many took their morning walks.

Always enjoy walking around this harbor and looking at the boats and the people. We boarded the Catalina Express from this genially and had a blast!

I actually come to this place many many many times per year. I am actually writing this review because I would like to submit some pictures to show you some of its beauty after a storm. The town has its quaint features right now which we will probably lose due to current development of the inner city. Big buildings,
hotels, and shops without the population or tourism to support these new businesses. Dana Point in my opinion will become half of a ghost town and lose the quaintness that makes it so attractive.

If you like contemplating how the other half live i.e. those who can afford $$$$ yachts , then this is the place for you!! Never seen so many yachts as those in this marina, but the harbour was interesting too.

So much to see- still has the flavor of a less congested southern California town but is changing fast so get there as soon as you can. Wonderful place to spend a day- visit the Ocean Institute, have a bagel at the Coffee Importers, visit the fun shops, look at the boats, and stroll along the harbor.So much fun!

Love it you will find lots of restaurants to choose from with some great happy hours. We took a whale watching tour but didn't see any whales because it was off season for them but we did see lots of dolphins more like thousands that rode our waves and gave us lots of picture taking opportunities. Some cool little shopping places too.

This could be such a great little area for shopping and outdoor bistros! The shopping is just kind of OK, really nothing special there. I did manage to find two things I really needed: a hat and a small backpack. I did not find the food selections particularly enticing and ended up eating at a regular old El Torito, which was also nothing special. The views are wonderful, the sun shines, and people are very friendly - nice place to walk and to just sit and enjoy the outdoors.

Dana Point Harbor is a must do in addition to the favorite surf spot in the world, Dana Point itself🌊

It was nice to see the boats and there are shops and restaurants on the harbor as well. This is a relaxing place to take a stroll and take some photos.

Needless to say, best place for a Sunday BBQ gathering with families and friends where you have the best view, beautiful And wide green field, clean outdoor BBQ griller and toilets and can easily walk to the nearby harbor port and on top of these, it’s free!!

The Dana Point Harbor is off highway 1 in Orange County California. It's a very quaint harbor, where you can go whale watching, walk along the harbor, and enjoy local restaurants and bars. I love this harbor, it's like escaping the big city for just a moment.

We biked from hotel, drove around harbor and visited a few restaurants. Walked out on breakwater and watched sealions and paddle boarders.

Beautiful views, gorgeous boats, lots of shopping and window shopping, so many choices in restaurants too! The restaurants are fro fish and chips to high end date night fare! You will find what you need here. There is a small beach, piers to walk and you can go to Catalina Island from here. Best though is the whale watching!

What a wonderful place to stroll around. There was an abundance of outdoor restaurants on the marina that looked so inviting but we had packed a picnic lunch and enjoyed sitting at the park next to the water watching the boats come and go and the many squirrels including the popular and unique white colored variety! Along our stroll we spotted a large sea lion as well as a heron. Simply lovely place to spend the afternoon!

My friends who are locals took me here on a Sunday afternoon in mid-September. The weather was superlative--light breezes, warm but not scorching sunshine. Enough people to be interesting but not too much that we felt crowded. The marina was packed full of lovely, fully rigged sailboats for some kind of regatta, and we enjoyed ambling along the paths on the edge of it from one restaurant-shopping area to another. Overall, a more mellow vibe than the beach spots up north in north Orange County or LA county. Folks seem less uptight, less in a hurry, etc. And there's also the beach next door and water excursions for those seeking activity.

We enjoyed walking around this area watching the boats, walking on the nearby beach, park and exploring the shops. The public bathrooms were clean and well marked and there were plenty of restaurants to choose from. It was a fun afternoon for our familly which included a 10 and 11 year old. A whale watching excursion was our highlight.

We were here during the Holiday season. The marina was nicely decorated with Christmas lights! Enjoyed walking from one end to the other at night and seeing all the different light displayed.

Very nice place to walk around and check out the sights. Lots to see. Scenic. Very interesting. Marina is loaded with boats and its great to check out. Nice walkway with restaurants and marine shops to keep you busy.

You will be welcome at Dana Point Harbor. That is the best anyone could say. There are excellent restaurants from sidewalk cafes like Captain John's Fish Market, or sit-downs like the Wind n' Sea. The whale watching, and fishing trips from Dana Wharf are world class. And for a fun and educational family time, visit the Dana Point Ocean Institute at the west end of the harbor.

Its a little dated, but its a harbor after all. Lots to see, lots to eat and lots to do, oh... and did I mention shopping! Tons to that to go around. The harbor also offers easy access to boat tours to go see whales and dolphins. I had a great time, will be beack!

This is where you can get a boat ride to Catalina Island, go whale watching etc. There are lots of restaurants and a few little shops.

I walk my dog here every day. It's so relaxing to walk on a sidewalk so close to the water. If you make the entire loop, both sides of the bridge, it's about three miles. I do about half that with my dog.

Great harbor, located just a few miles south of Laguna Beach. This small harbor has great views, restaurants and shops and even a museum but the best thing it has is FREE PARKING! There are not too many harbors in Southern California that still offer free parking so come and enjoy it while you can.

stopped here after dinner at Jimmy's, the holiday light display is excellent! From spouting whales to garlands and so many lights! And spread out all over the area so many folks can enjoy at the same time

A LOT to do...plan a fishing outing and catch some fresh fish. Hit up Turks for the best fish n' chips ever, or a Monte Cristo sandwich. All the restaurants actually serve it up right. Check out the parrot guy too, and give a buck or two.

Dana Point Harbor has managed to keep the facilities and the grounds clean and up to date, yet it's still charming. Lot's of health conscious walkers, dog walkers and boaters all out to enjoy the weather, sights and boats. There's a great bagel shop too!

We enjoyed how clean and calm the harbor was. We learned paddle boarding around the harbor and it was perfect. We say many orange fish and crabs. There was even a sea loin on the dock sun bathing...so cool!

We had a wonderful time wandering and exploring Dana Point. Thank you for protecting and preserving the area. By far, one of the prettiest areas I have seen in California.

Our harbor is nice and getting better all the time, at least a dozen good eateries and plenty of flat ground to stroll around on .Go off shore fishing or whale watching or fish from the jetty .the marine center is good and the weather is usually good

Walked around visiting shops, people watching, etc. Good options for eating. Still need to go back to do the dolphin watch tours.

This was our 3rd time going to Catalina out of Dana Pt & by far the worst. Check in was a mess, supposedly their computers were down and the line didn't move for 30 minutes. Then we were told to park in the back of beyond-the furthest ever. That was ok because a shuttle took my husband back the 2-3 miles to the boat. This was fortunate because he & others would have missed the 9:45 departure otherwise. He was told to park near a wall with trees over it. Fast forward 3 days: we get back, no shuttle. He walked the journey back and found our car covered in bird droppings. Yuck!

This is ridiculous! They know people are coming and going due to reservations and bookings. Parking has been moved further and further from the ferry. And for our car to be in such a state was really bad.

The ferry ride was good, safe & fast. But Catalina Express really needs to take better care of their customers.

Lovely place to walk with shops, restaurants and magnificent views. You can choose from light lunch to elegant dinner, indoors or out. We live less than 30 minutes away and go there often for lunch.

We love to take lunch over to the harbor when the sun is out and the weather permits, it is refreshing and a bit romantic to just sit back and watch people jogging and walking their dogs and enjoying watching the boats and paddle boarders, just do NOT feed the seagulls or you will be sorry! There are free nice covered tables and restrooms available for your use, definitely an enjoyable place to visit and share lunch with your friends. 😎

Dana Point harbor was beautiful, not too crowded, free 4 hour parking, nice eateries. Kids lobed watching ocean and different boats.

Great Location, easy access to Catalina Island, fantastic restaurants, scenic walkway, guest boat dock with clean showers and easy access boat slips. I love this place!

The harbor is an excellent place to walk. A beautiful setting, level surface and restrooms available.

There is something about being right in the ocean in the middle of the harbor and being able to turn in a 360 degree circle and see beautiful homes overlooking it all like they are at a symphony witnessing greatness.

I’ve been to Dana Point a couple times and each time I discover more natural beauty woven with civilization. The result is a place that you should just see to believe because pictures don’t do it justice.

Spent a day here recently while visiting southern CA and it was beautiful to walk along the boats and sit and have a bite to eat and just people watch. The view from the park on the hill is really lovely and worth checking out.

I used to live in this area and the harbor was always a fun place to visit. It has cool trendy shops and fun restaurants.

I took my nephews, 7 and 11, along with my 14 year old daughter for a walk along the harbor. The kids enjoyed seeing the crabs along the marina (cheap entertainment). We walked over the bridge to the park area and enjoyed just sitting on the grass and watching the white and brown squirrels as well as seagulls and pelicans. Many boats and paddle boarding people are going past you, so it's fun just to watch the various watercraft. Please don't feed the wildlife like the people that did while we were there. Signs are clearly marked not to do so, but people do it regardless and it's not good for the ecosystem.

You can take a nice walk from one end of the park area to the other end. Picnic tables and restrooms are plenty along with free parking.

We did not shop, but there are places to shop near the harbor, as well as many options for dining.

There are picnic tables on the other side of bridge w/ bbq's to use. A very nice area to spend the day

I recommend visiting @ various times.High tide low tide see the tremendous difference.Be careful can be treacherous.I've walked the Seaworld but it also can be dangerous.Visit Baby Beach nearby,Eat at Jon's Seafood,a little on the high side,Walk the ocean walk and see and hear the seals.

We spent several hours walking thru the harbor & admiring the boats. Large seals live in one area & we were treated to their audible calls to one another. We were impressed how clean the area is kept.

We visited the harbor for the whale watching & dolphin tour we went on. Prior to the tour, we had a little time to walk around and explore some of the shops. There looked to be quite a few neat restaurants to pick from too!

Was looking for a place to just crash, and this was a super nice beach with cheap parking! I'd come back again (with some more sunscreen though....)

Went here for a walk around the harbor beautiful views. Lots of places to eat and just sit and relax. If your in the area go to the harbor and take a nice relaxing walk. Go on a whale watch it will be a great day.

We walked around- enjoyed a sunset and stopped at a Restsraunt to enjoy fresh sea food and fun drinks!

Dana Point Harbor is a great place to stroll with the family, enjoy park, harbor, shops and restaurants.

There are thousands of boats docked around a beautiful walkway with spectacular bluffs it's a great 2-4 mile walk, depending on whether you go out to the outer part of the harbor. Great views of Catalina, seabirds, seals and boats going by. There is the Ocean Institute for kids and also is a fine place for an outdoor/indoor party or wedding. There's several good places to eat, including a first-rate coffee/ice cream shop, bars and restaurants. There are multiple bathrooms around the walkway. You can also catch the Catalina express boat here.

A very nice Marina that you can walk around very easily. Good for a couple of hours. You can also drive to the breakwater and walk along it.

Dana Point Harbor is a great place to spend a sunny SoCal day. Start the day with a paddle around the harbor. Then relax at Baby Beach or explore the seashore at the headlands. Take a break for lunch at one of the many restaurants and then go parasailing, rent a jet ski, or book a fishing trip.

If you are boating or just watching- Dana Point Harbor is a good spot. Lots of large boats- some serious money in the water. Bonus- free parking

Wonderful area with seals frolicing and lots of great restaurants to choose from.Beautiful scenery, people watching, tours you can take, looking at boats, just a great activity. Parking is good.

This is our 2nd year staying here. The decor needs updating, but the beds are comfortable and rooms were very clean.
The bathroom is small and not much counter space since it has a pedestal sink, but the bath tub is large if you have kids that need a tub. Each upper room on the harbor side has a nice balcony. The room had a refrigerator.

The continental breakfast is just ok. It was a pretty basic continental breakfast, but the location is excellent! The rooms had gone up a bit since we were there last year as we only paid 130 p night last year and we paid 161 this year with our AAA discount, for the same room (316), but it is still a good value for the location.

Our room overlooked the pool and harbor so we enjoy this view. There are ice machines on each floor and a laundry, which we used. Most of the machines are pretty old and weren't that clean but they served the purpose. They also had a computer and printer in the lobby if you need one.

There are many great restaurants with beautiful views of the harbor just next door and cute little shops as well and Doheny Park is just up the street. If you want to go whale watching, there are several companies in the harbor.

Two of our favorite restaurants are the Chart House and Cannons for fine dining. They are just minutes away. Both places, also have a good happy hour during the week with spectacular views and amazing appetizers and drinks.

If you just want family style dinners, there are several restaurants next door for just burgers, a great breakfast, etc. The Brig Restaurant had really good food for a reasonable price if you have a family. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and have indoor or outdoor dining. They had a really good patty melt, fish sandwich, hamburgers, etc. The breakfasts were huge for the money and really good food.

I gave the Inn a 5 star rating because although it wasnt perfect since it has pretty dated decor and an ordinary breakfast, I think for the area, the view and location and price of the room it was a good value and I would highly recommend the Dana Point Marina Inn and the Dana Point Harbor. It is a great place for romance or a family.

We ate at several of the restaurants next door and all had a good variety of food on the menu.

We like a nice breakfast, so we walked next door for breakfast, as I have stated, the free continental breakfast at the hotel is just ok.

We love the pool and hit rub area which has a nice view of the harbor.

We stayed the week before Thanksgiving and the decorations in the area are beautiful.

My three teenagers and I stayed in a hotel directly across from the harbor. It is the most beautiful landscape that we've seen especially considering we come from a small town in Ohio. We will definitely be back!

This is a nice place to walk around. There is a nice harbor, packed with boats + an assortment of food options with ocean views. You have water sport options from sailboarding to going out on deep sea fishing trips to taking out your own boat (of courseEVERYONE has a sea going boat. ). Or, how about a trip to Catalina?

We visited always the side of the beach but this year we walk on the island where we can see the boats arrive to enter in the port.
It is very quiet and clean.

Dana point is a quaint little town right on the coast with beautiful views of the ocean! The Dana point harbor adds to the town giving you many fun places to eat! Like the harbor deli or proud Mary's! They also offer trips to Catalina island, and fishing trips! It's a great place for family and friends or all ages!!

The views are amazing in the harbor. Everyone is so nice and people are kayaking, paddle boarding and jet skiing. Boats are passing by as well and they all smile and wave just be pay attention because you will have to slow down and move out of the way sometimes. Also further down the harbor is called baby beach which is a small beach you can stop at and enjoy for awhile while your out.

We enjoy the views of the boats anchored in the harbor and the great people watching here. There are a few coffee shops along the paved path where you can stop and enjoy the views. Whether overcast or sunny, this place offers a convenient break from the CA hustle and bustle.

I have been to the Dana Point Harbor many times in the last twelve years, my brother keeps his boat there, I have left for Catalina several times, and have taken friends out for dinner and/or drinks and after dinner harbor walks. Lately I have begun walking to the harbor in the the early morning picking up two or three local papers, and sitting on a bench under the lattice at the east end of the walkway. About 7:00 AM people start walking together or with their dog.I have had several interesting conversations with folks that stopped to chat. The majority of the people are very friendly and they all seem to be relaxed, some are locals, and some are tourists but the common factor seems to be a smile, and a happy, relaxed attitude. Yes, there all kinds of things to do here. Going out on the party boats (fishing), renting kayaks, paddle boards, and jet skis, visit the Ocean Institute, shopping, and great restaurants and bars. I have added to list taking some time to sit, read, relax, watch the boats leave and enter the harbor, check out the new low-water-use landscaping, talk with other folks enjoying the harbor, and make the human connection.

This is a nice place to stroll around in the evening. There are wonderful restaurants and it is romantic and calm.

A short walk from our house. What a great place to people watch, check out the boats grab a great quality coffee and chill.
We take our dogs, walk the island, and check out the beautiful boats and dream, one day.

It was beautiful day, easy to bike there from our hotel Monarc beach resort. The veiw is stunning, but the kazibo where you take pictures was clised for renovation. It was a dissapointment. There us a stand that tells the history of Dana point. I recommend going. Nice activity to do

If its hot everywhere else, this place is at least 10 degrees cooler. Just a nice place to hang out if it doesn't get too crowded. Really love Baby Beach next to the tall ship area.
They have a bit of everything. Beach next to a grassy area and free parking. Also went up to Aliso Beach which nice for a sunset view and beach. Parkin meters at Aliso. Also great restaurants in Dana Pt from reasonal to expensive.

You can find nearly everything around the harbor. It's beautiful to view from the bluffs, plenty of touristy shopping, whale and harbor cruises are avaible here and there are educational opportunities as well. One thing I could not find in Dana Poibnt was a museum. The historical society by the city hall is open only a couple of hours a couple of times per week. This harbor could provide a small community museum that might draw history buffs to the harbor and provide a few relics and some insight into the area.

The harbor is incredibly well decorated and certainly a great destination to walk and enjoy. Lots of food and drink options to choose from. Try not to miss the annual boat parade.

Stop by this area for site seeing and for a lunch break. Walk around this area with beautiful sea view.

With the kiddos back at school this beach is quiet and a perfect place to learn to surf. Long sweeping rollers reminded me of Hawaii and the amenities are well kept.

Lots of little shops, bars and restaurants. Everything is clean and well maintained. There are picnic sites as well as lots of benches to relax on and watch the boats go by.

Several restuarants, tour boats, and the Catalina Ferry depart from here. Free parking for up to four hours.

The Dana Point Harbor is one of our favorite places to walk. There is adequate free parking (except on summer holidays), the weather is good, and the people are friendly. The harbor offers quite a few recreation options, as well as a wide assortment of restaurants, although none could be considered fine dining options. All in all, the Dana Point Harbor provides a nice way to pass a few hours on a weekend.

Lot more to do at Dana Point than these shops. You can skip this place.Plenty of free 4 hour parking. This is a place to wander the harbor side shops and look at the tourist schlock, t-shirts, wine bags/signs, incense sticks, geology collector/lucky stones. Gak!

Active busy gathering place for both sailors and land lobbers. Thousands of boats of every description. A wide variety of shops and eateries with ample parking. Modern California at its best.

We spent an afternoon hanging out at the harbor. There are many little shops and restaurants to visit. It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon.

We enjoyed drive and views. Gorgeous. Easy driving. Lots to see. Great walking areas. Water viewing of sailboats, paddle boards.

If you are wanting to learn to surf or if your going to go out onto a boat then this is the perfect place. The beach was small and covered in wood pieces. It was nice to watch the boats and surfers but not great for playing or sitting on the beach. We had hoped to find some souvenir shops along the harbor but all the shops were more like boutiques. The area seemed more geared towards the locals and people with lots of money. It was still beautiful though.

The Harbor was pretty and had many lights at night for Christmas. We enjoyed walking around before and after whale watching.

We enjoyed our evening at the Dana Point Harbor. We ate at Jimmy’s right across the street and then walked all around the harbor. So much to see! Several cute souvenir shops and plenty of restaurants to chose from.

Really nice and friendly access harbor. The harbor is very nice and has nice amenities. Good restaurants near the area,

Great place to just spend the day. Take in all the shops and restaurants. Whale watching, paddleboards, jet skis, the have it all>

My sister and I visit Dana Point Harbor every time I come to visit her in California. It's a beautiful place with wonderful ocean views, very peaceful places to watch the ocean, and great places to eat seafood. A very good place for geocaching, too!

This is an awesome location if you are looking for some local flavor and culture. You can grab a cup of coffee and sit back and watch the boats. It is so amazing! There are also all kinds of neat shops to visit.

We are fortunate to live 2 miles from Dana point Harbor. We love to stroll to baby beach and the ocean institute. Baby beach is used for launching kayaks paddle boards and great for families. We frequent Johns Fish market for their famous fish and chips. Watermans on the harbor offers a nice happy hour, especially if you are an oyster fan. Wind and Sea is pet friendly around the fire pit and also offers a happy hour menu. If you want pub food, Turks is the place to go. Stroll down to Scoop Deck Ice Cream. My favorite is Kahlua Truffle!! Relax on a bench eating your favorite ice cream while viewing the boats docked in the harbor. You might even see a harbor seal. Directly across pacific coast highway is RJ's for a great breakfast and the best pancakes I've ever had. Mahe is a sushi restaurant and offers happy hour as well. In the same center is Jimmy's pub and What a Dish for breakfast or lunch and bakery. Lodging at the harbor is the Best western at the harbor and Marriott conveniently located across from the harbor with breathtaking views.

Dana Point visitors and residents need to be aware that on Saturday, June 16, 2018 an innocent man was stabbed when he did not hand money over to a pan-handler while at Doheny Beach. This is very near Doheny Campground, Dana Point Harbor and not too far from Ritz Carlton Hotel and Monarch Beach Hotel. The perpetrator remains at large!! Read all about in OC Register.

Everyone is friendly. It’s a dog’s paradise. In the morning you can see all types of people walking their dogs. Grab a coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Go to Wind and Sea for an awesome brunch or THE BEST Mai Tais. Rent a paddle board and tour around the harbor. Take your kids to baby beach and the Ocean Institute. A great way to spend a day.

Great stop with the family. Very scenic and wonderful places to eat as well as small shops to explore

The view from the point by Wind and Sea restaurant are great. The incoming boats, seals, pelicans, paddle boarders and all the boats.

If you drive up this hill you can take pictures early before restaurants open. Eat at RJs too. Delicious food.

Dana Point Harbor is a perfect place to get out and enjoy the wonderful California weather. There are several neat places in the harbor, as well as playground areas and a public beach. We spent a couple of hours exploring and would have preferred to have spent the day there. Definitely worth adding to your list of things to see when in the Newport Beach area.

It's quiet and yet it has a lot to offer in shops, art, food, activities. It's very family friendly and a great place to take it all in when you are visiting Southern CA.

I've driven by Dana Point countless times on the way somewhere else. Well, last weekend we made it pour destination for our day drive and we had a wonderful day. We explored the Ocean Museum and it's surrounding coves and beaches, then took the free trolley to another near by beach. We had a nice lunch at the harbor. Next time we will bring picnic to enjoy at one of the parks.

No issues with parking. Public restrooms were clean. This was our access point to the Curlew Charter

Great place to chill out, watch boats, paddle boarders, and walk the family dog. Quite, clean, and safe. Lots of parking, but it fills up. The parking is free. Good variety of shops and full restaurants and small deli style eateries. Safe for the entire family, and fido.

The views were amazing! We took lots of photos. Highly recommend dining for lunch at one of the restaurants with harbor views!

This is the best charter fishing boat I have ever been on. My son’s family, my husband and I went out with Cheyne for a four hour trip. We were delighted when between us we had caught 6 nice sea bass and a ling cod as well as some sharks and a lizard fish. Then our son, Jeff, caught a whopper, a 34 lb. halibut. We could not eat it all over a four day stay, even with another family joining us one day. It was delicious grilled, fried and in fish tacos for lunch. Cheyne took good care of us, paying particular attention to our 8 year old grandson and did a great job cleaning all the fish. We highly recommend his guide service.

I love to walk around the harbor, visiting the coffee shop, checking out the resident sea lions. I also sail with friends out of the harbor, easy to get out to the ocean!

I've been a fan of Dana Point Harbor for more than 40 years. It's a great p;lace to walk and window shop the beautiful boats. There is quite a colony of Dana Point walkers and, When I've visited there over the years on extended business trips and family trips, I find we walkers recognize each other after just a few days. There are numerous restaurants and coffee places along the way. There are also public restrooms, something not availablel in many other places.

This is a very good and beautiful setting of harbor with a good choice of restaurants and nice view. It is a busy setting but found to be supported by local and area residents besides tourists. We tried out a couple of restaurants for dinner and breakfast and enjoyed the place and settings.

Dana Point Harbor is a great family fun place. You can rent lots of things for water fun; walk around and see the sea lions and watch all the boats. There are lots of great restaurants and neat shops. It’s a great place to spend a Sunday Funday! And even take a fishing boat trip!

The harbour is a fun place to walk and visit. Views are great. Lots to see and do. Would’ve liked to have taken more time here.

I was fortunate to visit this harbor during the weekday when there is plenty of parking and virtually, no crowds. The harbor was nice and quiet with views of the shimmering waters and beautiful boats. The harbor has several restaurant to choose from and several boutique-type shops. Parking is free. Try the happy hour at El Torito from 5-7pm weeknights and get a great view of the harbor!

Most meals were at Dana Point Harbor, Excellent food and views. Beach was clean and well maintained.

What a great harbor area. There are excellent restaurants, shops activities and also just great to sit and watch people and or the water

Whale and dolphin watching, sport fishing, parasailing, kayak and SUP rentals are just some of the activities available in Dana Point Harbor. Picnic tables and BBQs are scattered throughout. On busy weekends, go early to claim your spot.

Not much here it was ok. Cant say we would actually go back. Did enjoy the county beaches to the south.

Clean, good restaurants, safe for children. Even though it was the 4th of July it did not seem crowded, and all the shop personal were friendly and cooperative.

Nice view of the bay and great area to take family to swim and the lighthouse restaurant was great good eats and very fancy nice place to take a friend

When ever we want to do whale watching or enjoy an ocean boat ride we always use Dana Wharf Whale Watching tours. The staff is very friendly and informative about the different species of fish and mammals of the ocean. This last trip out was unsuccessful for whales but did see two different types of Dolphins. I highly recommend this group for all of your whale watching tours.

We took a Whale tour with Dana Pride.
The staff were very friendly and we saw Dolphins and Minke whale, interesting.

We went twice just to walk around and look at the harbor and boats. Very pleasant environment. Several restaurants here but breakfast is a dicey proposition because they get crowded on weekends and there was a long wait so we just enjoyed the boats and left. Maybe reservations next time.

I grew up here so I have a soft spot for the harbor but I've also lived around other harbors & DP is old school. Great place to run or walk around. They're going to be undergoing a major renovation soon so go if you can. Wind & Sea is a great spot for a Mai Tai if you can find a spot on the deck.

We walked around the harbor a day after the tall ship festival so the museum was closed. We saw the Pilgrim and a lot of regular boats and walked around the town.

There is plenty to see do a good mix of shops and restraunts as well as a few historical makers along the way

There’s so many little shops and restaurants here. Definitely check out Jimmy’s American Tavern for lunch or dinner, nice views out towards the marina. If your budget permits, the Chart House above the cliffs is awesome with views out to San Clemente and Catalina.
Can rent jet skis, kayaks, and various other water sport things to do.
Take the stairs up to Heritage Park for some great views of the harbor.

We walked along the harbor and marina on a beautiful fall day. I checked out the many great shops while hubby had a drink at the bar overlooking the water. Nice afternoon!

The harbor is a great place to visit for a couple hours just to walk around hang out people watch maybe get something to eat. The shopping is not much. But on a beautiful day this is the place to be. It’s adjacent to the beach if you want to hang out there for a while. You can also catch the Catalina Flyer gone well watching or fishing trips from the harbor. It’s only minutes off the freeway easy access in and out.

What a nice surprise. The lights attend the harbor are beautiful and interesting. They even include frolicking dolphins

Beautiful harbor. The park is well laid out with lots of benches and BBQ areas for family picnics. Great View

We took a boat trip to view dolphins and were treated to great views and wildlife. Parking was a bit challenging but the area is popular for good reason. Very clean and well maintained.

We've never been to Dana Point before, so we took and whale watching tour, ate at the restaurants, and walked down the walkway along the boats. It is best to do this on a sunny day so you can appreciate the colors. They have an Ocean Institute and Nature Interpretive Center nearby. Orange-Red sunsets are great on a clear evening.

Went on the sunset wine cruise recently. It was vey nice and just enough time on the water. The wines were good and the people were nice, cruising the harbor at sunset was really pretty and not rough. Smooth sailing

Beautiful and romantic. The sunset was amazing and we loved it, took so many photos!! I definitely would go back again as it was such a wonderful experience! :)

What a great evening in Dana Point Harbor. The Dana Point Boat Parade on Friday and Saturday nights over two weekends in December is a must if you are in the area. Recommend. Steve Concialdi

This past Saturday afternoon my husband and another couple went to the harbor Island, a place they have never been too. They thought it was a private area, but we showed them around. Just being able to watch the boats and see the people walking their dogs. The peacefulness of it was very enjoyable. After we left for home, we stopped at Douglas Burger in Lake Elsinore for a dinner salad and split an order of fried zucchini. Such a nice way to spent Sabbath afternoon.

The Dana Point Harbor is a beautiful relaxing place to visit. There are shops and restaurants and nice areas to walk and enjoy the sights. Above the marina is a cliff side path that gives spectacular views of the harbor or a couple of high end restaurants (Chart House and Canon's) that particularly nice views of the harbor.

I went on a three-quarter day fishing excursion out of Dana point Harbor. Had a very comfortable boat and for galley that provided food and drinks for the day. The accommodations of the boat were good and the deckhands Helped with fish caught during the day.Caught a lot of fish but on the small side but the weather was very good and had a good enjoyable day on the water.

It’s a lovely marina with hundreds of yachts, a few seals barking, and fortunately for us hundreds of LED Christmas lights which lit up the whole harbour and made for a beautiful ambience. The sunset was stunning! We walked around and discovered a hidden gem restaurant that looked like the hold of a ship, gleaming with copper and celebrity photos all over the walls.

Scoop Deck is our favorite place to go when down at the harbor in DP. Its such a fun place to hang out, get ice cream or a smoothy! Also, The owner Jim is a great personality that really makes us feel welcome.

A beautiful harbor with marina, restaurants and shops. Can eat at nice places or get bagel and ice cream. Fun to walk and look at boats. As with any place on water all pricey

No, seriously, all the things. Whale watching, fishing, restaurants, bars, tourist shops, boutique shops, plastic surgery, yoga studio, a park, a beach, a view, an experience. Just go poke around - you'll be busy for hours.

Visited with my family. This was our second visit. We had so much fun the first time we wanted to return! We all jet skied in the harbor..... the view is spectacular.. sparkling blue water in one direction and gorgeous cliffs and beach in the other. The beach is beautiful and clean. For people watchers, you can observe surfing school class depending upon when you are there. Plenty of good restaurants and nice shops in the area as well.

Beautiful ocean views, and if you like to look at boats, this is a great place. Beach area close by as well. Quiet area.

I left OC about 12 years ago due to biz transfer but happy to be back. Glad to see the Dana Point Harbor is still going strong. Only gotten better. With the festivals and activities I love this place and being close.
From Whale festivals to deep sea fishing they have it going on. Beautiful and great restaurants.
Check it out!

The harbour is small but it's really nice. Three are great walking paths, amenities for boaters, plenty of parking, great restaurants, shops, beaches, community center, condos/ time shares, boat and jet ski rentals...

You can rent paddle boards, kayaks, sailboats, or cool off in the water at baby beach. (No waves). There are loads of private boats docked here — i love to walk the piers and read their names. The ocean institute is also here and charter boats for whale watching.

This is a place for everyone. Its a great place to walk to, and once you're there, there are lots of sidewalks to navigate and places to visit.

The boats are a nice show in themselves -- from a dingy to world-class. Between the rows of boats you'll see paddle boarders, birds, and some seals.

Walk along the sea wall and look out at the Pacific while the ground squirrels scamper around. Visit the Ocean Institute, shops, and places to eat. There's a beach for children and rental facilities.

It's a great place to wonder around or do some serious walking. We come here oftern

My family and I never come to Orange County without visiting Dana Point Harbor. You can paddle board from here, go out Watch Watching (recommend Captain Dave's) or enjoy a day at the beach with your family (Baby Beach). During the Tall Ship's Festival this is definitely a place to visit. You will love it.

Having paddled outrigger canoes both competitively and for recreation for over 20 years we have visited many harbors with our canoes and other watercraft. Dana is by far the best one to paddle in or out of. On any good day you can see a myriad of human powered craft from stand-up-boards to fishing kayaks to big racing canoes. This is an excellent sailing harbor as well. Then when you get off the water there is so much to do such as visit the Marine Institute and it's tall ships, dine at one of the large selection of restaurants, shop the small retail stores or just take a great walk around the harbor to view the birds and sea-life. With free parking and a wonderful beach at the north end this place is hard to beat. There are many events that take place throughout the seasons like the Whale Festival, Tall Ships Festival, the giant 4th of July water fight and fireworks and a number of races that use the harbor as the base. Take a day to visit. And come back again later as the harbor is getting a new facelift in the next year or two.

Really great spot right on the water. Lots of restaurants to choose from plus several little shops. We enjoyed exploring and walking around plus watching boats come in and out.

This is the first time we have walked the harbor area and it was very nice - a selection of restaurants and some shops.

These were the worst burgers I’ve ever had. They’re super greasy & the buns were so stale, they just broke apart making it impossible to eat. After one bite, I was NOT interested in trying to consume it.

Beautiful marina and harbor. Many places to walk, eat, shop, swim. Even a museum and tidepools. Oh, did I mention Tallships? Hotel and even a spot to host a reception or small wedding.

Dana Point is a lovely working harbor full of working boats, leisure boats, travelers and locals alike. Wonderful way to pass the time by the water.

Spectacular I will be back next year the boats were. Dauntingly the weather was good and the water was calm all n all it was a beautiful evening

They really deck the place out for Christmas it is now a tradition that we go up there every year. We spent an hour here just walking around

Lots of good restaurant choices from casual to upscale. This is where the Catalina Express departs from. The shops are just average. Wish they had a better selection

This year we spent a couple weekends in Dana Point. Once at the Doubletree and another weekend at the Marriott resort - the Doubletree is within a short walk of a nice beach, but Marriott’s resort-like amenities and view are nice as well.

The Harbor boasts some of the best seafood restaurants in the region - some even have catches as fresh as of that morning. Our favorites are Harpoon Henry’s, Wind and Sea, and Waterman’s at the Harbor.

In addition, the harbor has many deep-sea fishing and dolphin or whale watching departures as well as a ferry to Catalina’s Avalon harbor. There are also dinner and wine cruises that are available most days. Our kids loved surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and jet skiing with some equipment rentals in the area.

Our younger kids enjoyed the aquarium and museum that is on the northwest side of the harbor. There are some nice tide pools within minutes of that spot as well.

We braved the crowd at the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot and thoroughly enjoyed the venue. The event is well organized, though the bus transit/shuttles could have been better positioned to be more attractive to the trot participants.

Dana Point Harbor is all lit up from Thanksgiving through the first few weeks of January. From lighted whales to dolphins, even a biting shark! On some weekends the harbor hosts a competitive boat light parade. Many of the boat light displays are really impressive- though there are some outliers that appear more like a frat party, but just some drinking revelries and not crazy like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. More like a small town feel and just people having a good time.

All in all, this is a great place to visit whether or not you have a boat to float!

This harbor brings a peaceful solitude of relaxation to simply watch the ocean, boats and sea life. Dogs welcome, restrooms available and great people watching.

There are so many activitys that center around this place something for everyone could spend a week here

We enjoyed this area. It was a very beautiful day and we had a nice time walking around the shops after a morning of kayaking. Certainly worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Love how clean the harbor is kept and secure. The boats were offered generous spots and there is also dry dock parking.

Lots of atmosphere. We enjoyed seeing the replica of The Pilgrim, the boat Richard Henry Dana road on from Boston and wrote about in "Two Years Before the Mast." It was not open for boarding when we were there, but you can get a close view from the pier.

Definitely worth a visit when you’re in the area, full of fun activities (paddle boarding or hire a kayak) before heading back to the beach for a sunbathe.

Full of history too, it’s absolutely beautiful.

we love taking dinner to one of the many picnic tables and watching the boats and wildlife while we eat.

Just took a spin around the loop. Large birds were building nests in the beautiful trees at the point. Quaint area, worth a look.

Charming, lots to look at, shop & eat. The beach is gorgeous & active but a little rocky for small children.

We were there in Dec, missed the decorated boat parade by 2 nights, there were some still berthed that would leave their lights on at nighttime thru the Holidays, lots of places to eat, touristy shops, or buy a yacht

Nice and walkable. Good selection of places to shop and eat. Very attractive. What's not to like? This is certainly a glimpse at how the other half lives (and enjoys life).

Our son just moved here and we spent the Christmas holiday in Dana Point. We loved driving though the harbor in the evenings. The holiday light display was like none other! IT was a magical area. We also enjoyed walks each morning down to the harbor just to take in the beautiful views!

This is the nicest spot I've found in SoCal. I have to travel to the area for work on a regular basis and always stay in Dana Point, having tried various other towns locally. A highlight is always walking or running around the harbor. There are some decent restaurants, it's very scenic and just a nice place to be, regardless of the time of day.

Loved the harbor and it's quaint feel! A great place to take a stroll or spend a day with the family. We will definitely be back!

Dana Point Harbor has long been a family favorite. Great restaurants (Harpoon Henry, the bagel and coffee shop, etc.), small shops, and views!!! Come to eat, walk the boardwalk, and people watch! We love this place!!!!

The whole Marina area is big & nice. There is a Beach inside with no waves for kids to play in water. Charter Fishing & Restaurants plus at the end of road going north where the Cliffs meet the Beach/Breakwater is steps down to the Tide Pools all along the bottom of the Cliffs but you must go at Low Tide to be able to go down and walk on Ocean bottom and look for Ocean life around all the rocks.

Dana Point is fabulous! The marina is great and nice to look at the lovely boats. There are a few companies where you can book Whale Watching. The Park has built in BBQ and is family friendly. There are shops and restaurants and so plenty to do or just relax.

A great place to stroll around, watch people and pet dogs. There are nice restaurants, cute shops and benches to sit on. Picnic tables get crowded on weekends but easy during the week. I never get tired of walking the island and looking at the boats. A nice place to go without having to spend money!

Yummy food and great service
The California Club was delish!!
The pineapple breeze was the best drink ever also .

great walking around Marina - you can go all way to Ocean one way and to great shops and restaurants the other way.

Wonderful place to walk and nosh different foods. Visit John's Fish Market to pick up very fresh seafood to grill at nearby Doheny Beach Park. Avoid during holidays!

Great place to go for summer heat relief.
We loved to walk along the harbor boardwalk to look at the boats then stop in at a store or two, grab something the coffee stop or eat outside at one of the many restaurants. In exploring further, we drove to the north end. Although the sea museum was closed, we walked behind it to view the ocean, where kids were snorkeling. Then watched all of the families enjoying the protected beach behind the seawall in the harbor. There were many people on paddleboards, peddle boats and kayaks having fun in the calm water.

Stopped here after eating at Shwacks, and it was such a cool place! You can walk a beautiful cliff walk ABOVE the harbor before going down. You take this super steep road down into it, and once there there is a pretty green picnic area, a "baby beach", ocean institute, 2 old ships, fishing piers, and LOTS of boats in the enclosed harbor. Just stunning...

Clean and calming. Plenty of eating places and parking. People are nice and hospitable. Your able to walk around the harbor and see all types of boats.

Head down to the harbor and you won't be disappointed. There is a wide choice between a cosy and friendly 'Baby Beach', an ocean trip on one of the many whale watching and fishing boats, see the awesome tall ships and a state of the art display of maritime life at the Ocean Institute. Also the choices for food seem endless, and will accommodate any budget. Then walk it all off with an evening stroll along the boardwalk, and enjoy the sight of the yachts, small to tall. And finally don't miss the sunset over the ocean before heading back home. Park at the Ocean Institute for the best viewing.

We just love coming here. so peaceful and quiet. Always nice to get a couple mile walk in. f we want a cutoff coffee rote we stop at one of the darling restaurants and enjoy just people watching.

As harbors and marinas g0, this is very nice. Now that the restaurants are back in business for dine in service, this adds to the attraction. There is also a number of quaint shops. And plenty of that diverse dining options. There is also plenty of free parking but note there is a four hour limit and they claim that they strictly enforce it.

Quaint and comprehensive space with beautiful views. Good walking paths along the harbor; many excellent food options and close enough to get to Doheny State Beach. We always stop here several times while visiting southern Orange County.

had a great time, saw a lot of dolphin unfortunately no whales that day. It was really exciting to see the dolphins swimming under the boat. Will go again!

Great Restaurants, usual see whales, sometimes dolphins in the harbor, wine cruise is fun, paddle boarding is fun and of course those seals and pelicans are hilarious.

Just a lovely Harbor to walk around. One can also book an Ocean fishing trip from here and there are a couple good Happy Hours in the area as well.

It’s a beautiful small harbor....especially if you see it from the top. There is a trail that will take at the top of the hill where there is a great safe spot to take pictures of the whole area.

Disclaimer: This is our home. We chose to move here. The weather is nearly perfect all year round. If you are a boater, this is a great place to anchor. It's also a great one-day, weekend, or vacation destination. Visit the Ocean Institute. Walk the harbor and stop at all the shops. Lots of great restaurants. We've been here for years, and we still love it.

Dana Point Harbor is all lit up at the end of the year. The boat parade is very nice and the shore based lighting even better. 2018 seems to be the best year ever.

I went here with my three girls for our first get away together. It was an amazing weekend! We had hoped to take the Catalina Express for the day, but, it was sold out so we made the best of it. We loved the coffee place in the harbor and also the beach for us to launch our paddle boards. It was a wonderful get away!!!

Dana Point Harbor has been a well kept secret for many years. It is nestled between San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente on the Southern Orange County Coast. You can stroll among the small shops and dine in neat restaurants. It you want to relax just walk or drive across the bridge to a small island which is home to both a small and a large Yacht Club. You can watch seabirds gliding overhead and picnic on the grass or on tables that are provided. ENJOY!

We walked from our hotel while visiting for 5 days and went to many of the restaurants which were all good. We noticed there was 4 hour free parking. Catch the boat to Catalina Island but be sure and make a reservation!

Such a gorgeous harbor. So beautiful and peaceful. Great waterfront shots with bpats everywhere. Great place to sit on a bench and relax or take a nice run, walk or bike ride!

We enjoyed the unique and cool little stores. Plus good selection of restaurants. Plenty of parking too.

The harbor is an interesting area. The restaurants are very good and fishing and whale watching boats are full of passengers.

On days when it rains hard, there will be a waterfall. Local police or harbor patrol will most likely limit vehicle traffic but you can park and walk a block or two to see the waterfall up close.

What a wonderful place for either a nice stroll along the coastine, a walk on the beach, wind surfing boating etc. My wife and I started our morning with a nice walk of about 7000 steps at the Dana Point Harbor and then breakfast at Proud Mary's. Plenty to do and it was cool and refreshing. We enjoyed the morning and the amazing views. A great place to visit and so close.
Highly recommended

We spent time here three days of the week we visited. We strolled through the shops, ate at the restaurants,and purchased fresh seafood at Jon's fish market. The entire place was decorated for Xmas, and the lights were amazing.

My Husband and I ❤️DANA POINT HARBOR! There's something Magical about being on the Waterfront! We particular ❤️the Harbor’s quaint, small-town charm, not to mention, the views & surrounding Boardwalk are very tranquil & serene! Whether you have access to a Boat in the Harbor, or not, there is so much to see and do! And the 🐬Sea life🐳 and 🌅Sunset's in Dana Point, are so Spectacular & Indescribable!

DANA POINT HARBOR, just held their 43rd Annual Boat Parade of Lights! “A SUPER HERO HOLIDAY”, was the theme this year. All the Boats, HARBOR lights, and Beautiful Holiday decorations, did not disappoint! You can’t miss their Impressive Welcoming 🐳 & Signage “# HAPPYHARBORDAYS” at the Harbor’s Main entrance, and be sure to Visit their “MERRY KISS ME” Sign in front of their 😍Amazing Candy Cane Lane of Lights! The Holiday Spirit is definitely Alive in the DANA POINT HARBOR this year! ❄️🎄☃️🎉

Other Highlights in the DANA POINT HARBOR throughout the year include .......

Must Check out the Wonderful OCEAN INSTITUTE, just look for the Tall Ships, close to BABY🏖BEACH! This past September 2017, they held their 32nd Annual Tall Ships Festival! It was too Cool to see a Fleet of Historic Tall Ships sail into the Harbor from all over! I Highly recommend checking this out if you can!

BABY🏖BEACH in Dana Point Harbor is a Very Special Beach, it has No 🌊Waves, the calm waters are perfect for the kids, there are 1st-come, 1st-serve Picnic & BBQ areas with Gorgeous views of the Harbor & the nearby cliffside. This is very Popular Family destination area for Locals & Visitors so plan accordingly, parking can be difficult during the summer☀️months!

I definitely recommend checking out the ⛵️Sailing, Parasailing, Scuba Diving, 🎣Fishing & 🛥Boat Charters, if you want to go explore outside of the Harbor! JET SKI’s, KAYAK’s & PADDLE BOARD’s are also conveniently available to rent in the Harbor, and also a Fun way to see all the Harbor activity and a Fantastic way to adventure outside of the Harbor too!

And be sure to Look into CAPTAIN DAVE’s 🐬DOLPHIN & 🐳WHALE WATCHING SAFARI! Dana Point is known for tons of Sea Life Sightings, to include Barking Sea Lions too! This past Summer we saw an AMAZING Pod of🐬Dolphins (Hundreds)!

You can Book with DANA WHARF 🎣SPORTFISHING & 🐳WHALE WATCHING too! It’s Cool to see all the Fishing Boat Charters frequently go in and out of the Harbor, and you can’t miss their 95-foot DANA PRIDE boat! Plus I ❤️all the Boat names: SUM FUN, REEL FUN, CLEMENTE, SAN MATEO, HELENA, FURY! You know when they’ve had a good🎣day, when you see the massive Flock of Seagulls & Pelicans follow their boats back into the Harbor!

And you can’t miss the Iconic CACHALOT Fishing Vessel in the Harbor, there's NO Live Bait Shortage for them, they're Open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week!

There are Tons of Great Restaurants & Fun Shops in the DANA POINT HARBOR, just to mention a few of our Favorite places to grab a Cocktail & some Food ......

TURK's RESTAURANT, a Legendary Waterfront place where Lots of Locals Hangout! I think it's been TURK's for over 33 years! They are Known for their Massive Fish & Chips and Tasty Strong Bloody Mary's! Their Eclectic & Nostalgic decor overlooks the Harbor’s large Fleet of Fishing Boats & has a Fantastic Waterfront View!

PROUD MARY's, Dana Point Harbor, CA, a Popular Waterfront Restaurant & Breakfast Spot with Daily Specials & CRAFT🍺 on DRAFT🍻! Their outside covered patio has heaters and also opens up to a Wonderful Panoramic Waterfront View of the Harbor!

WATERMAN's HARBOR Restaurant, we ❤️their Waterfront Dockside Dining! It’s a great place to enjoy Spectacular 🌅Sunset views! The 🛳CATALINA EXPRESS, is docked right in front of WATERMAN’s HARBOR and makes frequent trips to and from Catalina Island! They Specialize in Locally-Sourced FRESH Sustainable 🐠Seafood🦀!

This past Summer 2017, has truly felt like THE ENDLESS SUMMER, and it’s no surprise that it’s still☀️Sunny & Warm, even in the Month of ☃️December! We've been Blessed to spend so much time in the DANA POINT HARBOR this year & have seen so many AMAZING 🌅SUNSET's! This Harbor is Truly a Magical and Very Special Destination Spot & a Must Check out if in the area!

As a Side Note:
BIG changes are yet to come, so SOAK UP this Small Beach Town HARBOR Charm Vibe! If you’ve seen the docks, you’ll agree, DANA POINT HARBOR, Built in 1968, has been in need of infrastructure and facilities improvements for quite some time. It’s been 20 years in the making, and I read a $200 Million revitalization project will finally come to fruition & transform our beloved Harbor! Work on the Harbor is expected to begin as soon as December of 2018.

It takes a little work to figure out how to get to the grassy stretch of waterfront that is beyond the marina/harbor but it is worth the effort to find. Normally, all we bipeds do is cruise the harbor shops and frequent the dining establishments on one side of the marina but a whole other world awaits those who venture a bit further.

This trip we went to the fantastic grassy park with the Henry Dana statue as a welcoming figure to all who visit. The expanse of grass, water, and nature should have a name of its own but it is called "Scoobylife Fav Dana Point Harbor" (for those with more of a passing interest).

The albino squirrels (and so many combinations from that) are fun to spot. Ah, Mother Nature finds ways to confound us all, bless her heart. It just isn't natural but it is a treat, just the same. She has a sense of humor.

After many years of coming here, this was our first venture to the Scoobylife walking path and I am so very sorry it took so long for us to discover this walk.

We had restaurant here harborside, lunch and drinks. Very enjoyable. Free attraction.
If you have a lot of small kids it might be harder, but I saw parents too in strollers. We walked around the whole area, after getting dropped off by the Trolly free pickup and drop that we took just a short walk from our Doheny Beach hotel. Anything here you want for restaurants or beverages or bar service harbor side, shops mostly touristy but still fun. You can go on boat or fishing tours/trips too, though we did not do that. It's beautiful no matter what and a good walking area too. We liked it a lot and for any hotel in the vicinity and for any visitor, this is a trip worth making and I will do it every time I am close-by. Casual dress, comfortable shoes. sandals for walking about on pavement and sidewalks.

Stayed at the Ritz and enjoyed the surroundings. Spent days in Laguna where food, fashion and art are “de rigeur”.
It is a relaxing place ....friendly people..... just a slower pace of life. My dream is to go,there every year from an visit.

What a nice place to go on a hot so cal day. It was at least 10 degrees cooler there. There are a few cute shops and several good restaurants. Take a cruise out of harbor while you are there. It is so relaxing. You can take your dog and walk around the area. And parking is free.

Great place to walk, sun, drink and dine. We were there for the parade of holiday decorated boats and dinner - big fun!

Went to Dana Point Harbor for lunch and a walk. The weather was Chamber of Commerce beautiful. Lots of well maintained sidewalks for a stroll or power walk. We had our dog along and he love the squirrels.
We ate a restaurant (Wind & Sea) in a small area they allows dogs. All patrons, especially the dogs, were well behaved.
Highly recommend taking a walk along one of the many areas at the Dana Point Harbor.

When visiting Southern California please make sure you leave time go visit here - beautiful, just beautiful

Nice harbor to walk around, loads of restaurants, coffee shop, ice cream and boat watching. Variety of restaurants to choose from.

The harbor has many great restaurants to try. Also, it’s a great place to walk and take in the scenery. We were fortunate to see a couple sea lions sun bathing on the back of a boat.

The last remnants of Christmas were being packed up and the post-holiday crowds were sparse. Some shops were not open but the eateries were doing an okay business. The sun was shining, the temperature was chilly, and the sea lions were barking up a storm.

There is a Catalina ferry service that runs from this harbor. Not too much else seemed to be moving and shaking in terms of water activities but then, it is after all, January.

Our walk down from Blue Lantern Inn took us to the Marina Village shopping area and into the marina/harbor itself. This is a highlight of any visit to Dana Point.

The place seems like it is stuck in the 70s... Desperately needs modernization to keep up with the technology and architecture advances that other nearby harbors have taken advantage of. Most of the shops and restaurants are really tired and boring. One of the most beautiful stretches of the ocean and blessed with amazing views, and sad to see that the city of Dana Point is not taking advantage to use it to boost tourism, commerce and status of the city.

My wife and I love coming to the point in the evening for a walk or jog! There are great restaurants to eat at or you can bring food from home and have a pick-nick! If you like fishing or Kayaking it is also a lot of fun! For Kayaking go to baby beach which is down by the beach area! Great place to spend a few hours or the day!!!

Glasspar Restaurant had amazing lunch.Healthy menu & pleasant atmosphere.
Server Sherry was very caring & hospitable.

We go to Dana Point Harbor on a regular basis to dine, walk, stand up paddle (SUP), deep sea fishing, catch the boat to Catalina or whale watching, or just cruise aroung in and old Avon inflatable. Love the harbor.

We walked the harbor and point for hours looking at the ships. boats and the breath taking surf. The place is well worth the stop.

‘‘Tis the season” and DP Harbor has an amazing presentation that shouldn’t be missed. Great place to walk with your children.

We walked along a path high above the cliff with million dollar homes and a never finished resort's arch. Then down to ocean along a breakwater path and touched mussels on rocks.

This Harbor is filled with many shops and great Resturaunt’s. The sea lions in the water are lovely to watch from the Resturaunt view.

Dana point Harbor is a very friendly and relaxing place to enjoy a day or more. We actually tow our boat from Oceanside California to Dana Point to launch versus launching it in Oceanside. Everything about Dana Point is better in my book and the marina and harbor area is very chill. They make you feel like they want you there and it is the beautiful and well maintained harbor. There are several restaurants in the area within walking distance and many of them are dog friendly, which is good for us as we usually bring our two little dogs on the boat.

The harbor offers a lot of places to eat, shop for souvenirs, and look at the boats. Its a great way to spend the afternoon or summer evenings

We didn't really get to explore the harbor because of the difficulty in finding parking but it looked like there were a few shops in the area. Really nice place to enjoy dinner or lunch on the harbor. Will definitely come back earlier in the day when we return to Orange County.

Great place to visit for a stroll along the marina. Lots to stop and watch, some great little places to eat or grab an ice cream and watch the world go by. If the sealions or seals are about them enjoy watch the, frolicking in the water or up out on a pontoon

This was the second year my family went to the Harbor to see the decorations. The Harbor was transformed into a light wonderland! This is absolutely the place to go to see fabulous Christmas lighting displays. In addition to looking at the lights, you can also find excellent food and beverages.

If you are concerned about crowded marinas and out of control boaters than I would recommend using this location safe for the family. Everyone is very pleasant and welcoming.

So many things to do at Dana point harbor. Paddle board for $25, kayaking, whale watching, the ocean institute, , the stairs behind the institute. The Pier for fishing, the jedy as well. Just a beautiful place.

This is certainly one of my favorites in California. Your not the hustle and bustle of San Diego or LA, but right in the middle.

I was here for an hour. I parked in a free spot (there are some parking spaces close to the restaurants). You can park there for 4 hours.
The place is very relaxing. There are many restaurants in the Harbor, and also live music.

Beautiful place to relax and enjoy the area. There was a sand sculpture of a large unicorn with "Darlene, will you marry me?" How fun. Let's assume Darlene said yes. 🦄❤️❤️

These days we hardly ever get down to this harbor and the City of Dana Point. Not like we did when her parents lived here 20 years ago and our visits meant going to the beach with them and then picking one of the great restaurants for dinner in the Marina. The restaurants are still there, the buildings, the names have changed, the food menus also. But the air is still fresh, the views out to sea are as breathtaking and the walking is flat, though a bit more difficult for me. She still can beat me by yards and in time taken. I highly recommend a walk and dinner hare. You can also find art for sale, experience the sea on a Whale and Dolphin Cruise, play on the small beach, look at the hundreds of boats in the marina. Many fun hours to be enjoyed here. This is a painting I own of the boatyard repair facility.

Often walk the harbor either early morning - great time to see wildlife including geese strolling the grassy areas, seals floating the harbor, pelicans and heron, and ground squirrels seeking to share breakfast, or evening. Excellent selection of dining options with good HHs. Coffee Importers and Harpoon Henrys have nice patios and good selection.

Definitely worth a walk around to see all the big boats.

Make sure to stop by baby beach with your little kiddos.

We thoroughly enjoyed the harbour - and a great place to have a good walk, and to watch the paddle boarders go by, especially with dogs balancing on one end. A number of good restaurants and eateries to choose from, and the ice cream shop sells the most delicious flavours. Some of the boats are just amazing - oh how the rich play !!!!

Harbor Grill, although expensive, is worht the taste! Beautiful view o0f the harbor in the overlooking Heritage Park.

This is a typical harbor you find along the southern California coast, the harbor was busy with boat coming and going, there are beaches nearby and you can walk out along the rock jetty that protects the harbor.

A fun place to eat, grab an ice cream or walk around. I especially love the Christmas decorations and the boat parade! So much fun and great for all ages. Dog friendly, too.

This is obviously the go to place in Dana Point. Several small shops and restaurants...really lovely.

very helpful crew that took the time and explained all the sea life we encountered on the very clean and comfortable boat. Also the captain and 1st mate where very passionate about the sea life and lots of stories as well...excellent time had by all...

Nice place to wander around. Lots of places to get breakfast or just a coffee. Plenty of parking spaces and easy to access.

The Dana Point Harbor just keep getting more and more festive each year. The walkway along the harbor from Wind n Sea to the Ocean Institute is a lighted holiday experinece for young and old. Enjoy.

If you spend any time in Dana Point, you must visit the harbor. Our favorite thing to do is park as far west as you can and walk through the harbor, rewarding yourself at Lenders ice cream shop.

This was very clean and had a little shopping area and some restaurants. There was plenty of parking and boats to rent.

This is such a wonderful place to chill with friends. Some amazing restaurants and you get to enjoy the warm california weather.

A lovely harbor ! We always enjoy taking a stroll at the harbor and seeing the shops and restaurants and views along the pathways. They have picnic areas, a small park, a museum, and a small kids beach. So much to do here. There is parking in many different areas and you can also find public restrooms easily. Sunset at the harbor is very intriguing and scenic . Highly recommended.

My wife and I moved to Dana Point many years ago not knowing what to expect. What we found was a friendly town with a small boat harbor. The town has grown over the years, but it remains one of the nicest places to live, or to visit.

The standout attraction of the town is Dana Point Harbor. You will find dining of all types and prices, water activities like kayaking, surfing and paddle boarding, boating, fishing and whale watching. Take a leisurely stroll, jog or ride a bike. The Baby Beach is perfect for families with small children, and is the launch area for kayaks and paddle boards. Parking and launching is free! This end of the Harbor also has tall ships and the Ocean Institute.

If you need a place to stay, there are several hotels with the Blue Lantern Inn being a favorite. Dining in the Harbor ranges from fish and chips to elegant French cuisine. One of the best is the Harbor Grill. If you are looking to venture out a bit, you can drive or take the free Summer shuttle into Dana Point or even up Pacific Coast Highway to Laguna Beach.

I am not paid to promote Dana Point or any business. I just wanted to spread the word if anyone is looking for a day trip, or a place to spend several relaxing days.

Walked around and had great coffee from "Coffee Importers" and breakfast from a great "Classic" bar called Turks. Candy (owner) was very sweet and hospitable. Her secret recipe bloody mary mix is BOMB, and the chicken fried steak n eggs was perfect. A locals hangout and they are very friendly and easy to talk with.

If you have kids this is a must.
Baby beach is a nice little beach to go too for sand play awww very soft sand & no need to worry about waves. Very busy on weekends.

The Ocean Institute was VERY awesome &
very educational. So many local species of marine life & friendly workers that are full of information. Tour a old sailboat & for those interested you can take part in a dissection we did a squid.
Fully open to public on weekends.

Just behind the Institute is a great place to look for tide pools during low tide. During high tide it’s a great place to sit & enjoy the sights & sounds of the ocean.

I came to view the annual Holiday Lights along the harbor. I have read about this for years! They also have an annual boat parade on one weekend. This is all family friendly. Lots of free parking and very festive.

I live here and I do not like the summer tourists crowds but my concious says I should not be negative because I do not want to share, but be grateful for how fortunate I am to live here.

With that said I want to tel you that I frequent Dana Point Harbor at least once a week. There are minimal high speed water sports but plenty of small shops, restaurants, surrounding beauty and wonderful people. The Marine Institute is also a nice place to visit within the harbor right along side Baby Beach where SUP, smal sailboats and outraging takes place.

People want to visit this place for vacation, I get to live here. My wife says we are lucky to live here. I say we are not lucky, but made a great choice of where to live nearly 30 years ago. We met here and we married two years later. It's a beautiful thing.

Dana Point Harbor is a must see when in the area. You can enjoy walks along the harbor, mingling with people, and it's dog friendly. And the dogs are friendly! A variety of food and beverage is available, from gourmet ice cream, to sandwich fare, to fine dining.

Good restaurants, art exhibits (seasonal) and decorated for the holiday season. Super cute! Fun for the whole family.

A perfect place for paddle boarding, kayaking, shopping, or simply getting a nice bite to eat. Free parking is also a plus!

We came out to see the boats come in . There is usually a place to park especially in the evening. We sometimes talk a walk along the path. Other times we take out the chairs and people watch.

Great place to visit. There are shops and quite a few restaurants to choose from. Really fun and relaxing to spend a day.

we had 3 meals there.. so many Restuarants, fun to people watch and shop around.. and wild life was great.

Parking is limited on evenings & weekends, but the restraunts are good and there are quite a variety of shops.

I absolutely love Dana Point Harbor. I used to house-sit in Laguna Niguel and found the short trip to the harbor a perfect start to any day. I would begin with a two mile walk along the promenade, then settle down for a well earned breakfast of fresh gourmet coffee and an egg sandwich. I could sit outside where there are tons of tables, umbrellas and people having a quiet time. I would enjoy the moods of the morning harbor and also the friendly dogs people brought along. On weekends there was often live music, an art show or otherwise something interesting to do. My grandchildren loved visiting the harbor as they could go to the Ocean Institute and participate in interactive projects or just play at the Baby Beach where parents could sit at picnic tables while their little ones played nearby.

Fun, fun, fun, that's the harbor! From scuba charters to whale watching tours or fishing trips to hand catching lobsters when in season or get a cocktail and chow down on some killer food the harbor has it all

We have kept a boat in this harbor for the last 20yrs and it's gone thru some changes over the years but they've all been good. Even now it's being revitalized to include more hotels, shops, restaurants, and parking. It's a wonderful way to spend a weekend or even a day, lots of beautiful green areas for picnics or family outings. A Beach area for family's and kids and great resturants and shops. And there's even a pirate ship you can board and learn all about. And don't forget to check out the Ocean institute where you can learn about our ocean and tidepools.

Everything you need or want is right here! We had a great time exploring the harbor and all it had to offer. The entire area was clean, and we felt safe. People were very friendly.

This is a really nice small harbor that is well cared for and is pleasant to walk around. The drawback is the restaurants. They are outdated and a few new updated eating places would be great. The retail shops could also use updating. They do a great job decorating the harbor during the winter holiday season.

Nice place for family , great day with my family, kids. Fun and cool. People very happy and friendly. I love this please

I actually love to walk around the harbor. It can be lengthy walk, but when it's sunny and lovely day in Southern Orange County it's a good thing.

You can see nice boats, sometimes dolphins, seals, and some fishes in the harbor! Unfortunately, there is no way to loop around.. so be careful!

I live in Dana Point and go to the harbor every weekend to just enjoy the beautiful surroundings , talk long walks around the harbor , have coffee or a nice glass of wine a fabulous view

We love having dinner at many of the different types of restaurants available to choose from. We also love shopping here. Every store has a unique and charming feel.

Lots of paddle boarders cruising along the seafront, with a mixture of seals to add to the SoCal charm.

I love everything about Dana Point. I love to walk around the harbor ...so relaxing and enjoyable. The Harbor has several restaurants and shops. I would highly recommend a visit to Dana Point Harbor.

We had a good time at the harbor. We walked around while waiting for our whale watching tour. We also ate at the fist market. It was very enjoyable.

I have been spending a week in Dana Harbor for over twenty years now.
It never fails to help you relax and enjoy all the beautiful scenery. The ocean waves, sea life, flowers and great restaurants are what calls me back year after year.

We ate at Jimmy's Famous American Tavern across the street from the harbor, and then drove over to the harbor and walked around. We were there on the first night of the Holiday Boat Parade, and parking was challenging. We watched the sun set - BEAUTIFUL! We didn't stay for the boat parade because we weren't prepared to stay that long. Parking is close - right along the harbor, and it is free.

Dana Point Harbor
A pleasant marina area ideal for walking and visiting the many shops and restaurants amidst the back drop of boats and yachts parked at the marina.
Nice, friendly, casual atmosphere, ideally suited for people watching or just enjoying the quiet views of the harbor .
Plenty of seats for relaxing and stores for souvenir and boutique shopping.
Something for every taste bud.... Seafood, Mexican and American Food, etc.
Plenty of free public parking.

Dana Point Harbor is a beautiful place to visit. We like to walk around the marina and look at the many boats. There are excellent restaurants, such as Wind and Sea and Harpoon Henrys.

I attended a retirement\ birthday celebration at the yacht club. Not only was the setting beautiful, sunset magnificent, and their service staff truly shines. I am deeply impressed when a party of 200 can be served cocktails, appetizers and dinner without any complaints from the guests. Staff and kitchen truly know what they are doing.

Lots of beautiful boats, clean and well kept. Lovely area to walk and see the sights. Many options of restaurants and some cute shops. There is a small family beach nearby and a childrens marine museum. Behind the museum is a path to tide pools during low tide.

It’s been our favorite since ‘76 when we bought our first boat and it’s still special. Great walking, excellent restaurants, and amazing vistas to enjoy. So welcoming.

Dana Point is city of Orange Country ,only half hours drive from the J.W airport , magnificent Marine ,lot of restaurants ,so many tour boats around for whale watching , dolphin tour ,, ,fishing , so many popular beach to choose from ,very safe and clean ,not crowned at all ,fantastic spot to take pictures , and fly my DRONE ! I have the best time of my life ! like a KID!

Dana Point Harbor isn't a front-and-center amusement park-laden event hub, but what it IS is a fantastic center of ocean life, science, quaint beach town-meets-tourism in a quaint and sweet way. There are activities to be had, just look for them. They're quietly placed here and there throughout the harbor making this a fantastic destination. Shhh though, we don't want everyone to know!

gorgeous harbor with convenience and a nice easy in and out system of organization. Home to sea lions and big rock walls to protect the harbor.

We enjoy the restaurants in the harbor area - Proud Marys, The Harbor Grill, Gemmells, The Brig, Wind and Sea

This is one of the cleanest marinas you will ever see! There are lots of really good restaurants, gift shops and even nice clothing stores. Great place to walk along the flat paved paths from the retail shops, bars and restaurants to the marine institute at the other end on the point. There’s a great children’s beach and whale watching tours. The Catalina Express goes daily to the island and there are hotels of all price ranges surrounding the area. If you like to walk, this is the perfect place to get your 10,000 steps! There is a family of seals that swim amongst the kayaks and paddle boarders and you’ll even see dolphins occasionally swimming into the marina.
Great place to go during Christmas too!

While the beauty of the water is what I go for the piers and businesses look tired. Beautiful place to watch sail boats, paddle boards, and other water crafts.
An over haul and updating would be nice.

Lovely spot--free parking, great place to walk and view the tall ships, and also the smaller boats going in & out of the harbor. The Aquarium and free beach are great to visit, too! Bring a picnic along if you like!

This is a harbor that looks good from virtually every angle. It's the high cliffs plummeting dramatically into the calm blue waters. Reliable restaurants like El Torito and The Brig. Boutique coffee, clothing, and ice cream shops. The tall ships, romantic visitors from a distant past, docked at the esteemed, ultra-modern Orange County Ocean Institute. And looming over it all, by the harbor channel out to the Pacific, a larger-than-life statue of Richard Henry Dana, Jr., who wrote a timeless literary classic about life at sea and a California coast so wild and sparsely populated, it seems now like the stuff of myth rather than history. Dana called his later namesake "the only romantic spot on the [California] coast." One can reasonably disagree with that narrow assessment of one of the world's most famous coastlines, but nevertheless, his adventurous spirit still lives on here, nearly two centuries later.

I had a bean burger that was fabulous. Some yummy fries too, at this little open window restaurant right off the beach. It closes early for any who might want to go. But even before i got my food, while i was sitting on the sand there were many bugs flying around. It was very annoying and disgusting. Also, the waves were rough and my feet got rocks smashed against them so i had to keep running away from the waves. I wouldn't recommend this beach. I have been to so many other good beaches in California. If you are in the area go to Newport instead. My family went and told me it was much better. I personally went to San Diego and Santa Monica, but these are far away if you aren't in the area. Also there was a shark sighting the day before and the water was cold so i didnt go in very far. This is probably normal for California though.

I walked around Dana Point Harbor in February 2019. It is a beautiful and peaceful area. The harbor is full of boats including boats going out for excursions. The scenery is very nice. There are a lot of paths to walk on. Near the harbor are a lot of shops and restaurants.

Lots of food options, and amenities. Nice harbor!
Signage is plentiful, and everyone is super friendly. Travel is seamless at this harbor.

We are East Coast boaters. And for the most part, we find California devoid of those quaint harbors New England is known for. But Dana Point Harbor is a jewel.

Whale watch trips, kayakers, paddle boarders galore - if it's on water, you'll be able to find it at Dana Point Harbor.

I wish they'd offer more handicapped parking, but other than that it's our 'go to' watersports, dining, and ocean flavored destination every time we roll into town.

Very picturesque harbour, the hub of the community. There's always something to see here, lots of pretty boats of all sizes moored up and moving around. Lots of paddle boarders, kayaking, boat races, fish and Harbour seals. Loads of restaurants and some shops. There are several large car parks but it can be hard to find a space especially at the weekends. Parking is limited to a maximum of 4 hours unless you purchase a permit. The ferry to Catalina Island leaves from here also many boat trips including the whale watching

This area is beautiful. There are shops with clothes, moccasins, souvenirs, jewelry and a variety of items. There are a few good restaurants, coffee shops and cafes. There is a walking trail along the harbor. You can walk past baby beach, rent kayaks and paddle boards, visit the Ocean Institute and museum, learn about the area from the friendly volunteers, take a tour on the ship docked there or just relax. You can walk to the end of the trail that follows the harbor and sit and watch the ocean waves crash over the rocks. It is beautiful to just relax and eat a picnic lunch. I recommend taking plenty of photos. Later go up the hill and there is an overview of the harbor. Again, take plenty of photos.

Our go to place to eat, take a stroll, check out the boats & yachts, watch the sunset, smell the ocean breeze & of course admire the ocean view, occasionally see dolphins & sea lions.

This is a beautiful Marina with many shops and upscale restaurants. Very beautiful. I would recommend this for people who want to do a lot of strolling around, seeing beautiful yachts and boats, and eating upscale and delicious Seafood as well as Mexican food