Dana Point, California
Dana Point, California is home to some of the best trails and outdoor activities. From scenic hikes to must-visit parks, the area offers a variety of outdoor adventures. Popular attractions include Dana Point Harbor, Salt Creek Beach Park, Doheny State Beach, and San Onofre State Beach. For hikers, there are several trails in the area, including the San Juan Creek Trail, the Dana Point Headlands Trail, and the San Clemente Coastal Trail. For nature lovers, the Laguna Beach and Crystal Cove State Parks offer beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. There are also several golf courses, kayaking, and other outdoor activities to enjoy in the area.
Top Spots in and near Dana Point
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Dana Point, California
Stand Up Paddle Dana Point Harbor
5.0Whether I’m looking for a quick workout on the water, wanting to catch some waves, or simply explore the coastline, Dana Point is one of my favorite places to paddle. There is plenty of parking close to the beach, so you don’t have to walk far with your board. It’s also a great spot to launch as ...Read more -
Dana Point, California
Dana Point Tide Pools
5.0If you're ever driving on the 5 between San Diego and Los Angeles and traffic is miserable (always), consider making a stop at Dana Point to check out the tide pools. The best place is behind the Ocean Institute which offers plenty of free parking and a short walk behind the building will quickly...Read more -
Dana Point, California
Walk the Dana Point Preserve Trail
5.00.5 miOcean views the whole time, plenty of wildlife and different species of native plants make this short hike beautiful. With the hike being short enough to complete in the afternoon after a day at the beach you can see a beautiful view of the coastline north and south. There is plenty of parking in...Read more -
Dana Point, California
Salt Creek Trail
5.01.6 mi / 95 ft gainStarting from the Salt Creek Beach parking lot (a paid lot that takes cash and credit cards and charges by the hour with pay stations at a few points in the parking lots), you head west towards the ocean...through a tunnel and down the hill towards the beach. Once you get to the basketball court ...Read more -
Dana Point, California
Surf Salt Creek
5.0There are two HUGE parking lots off of PCH, so parking isn't an issue (unless it's on a weekend in the summer, then it does get full). This is a paid lot with a few pay stations located around the parking lot, and they take cash and credit/ debit card...you can pay by the hour. Once you find your...Read more -
Laguna Niguel, California
Colinas Ridge Trail
2.01 mi / 131 ft gainFirst, you'll be parking in the parking lot for the dog park. It's free parking and there are roughly 40 spaces, so there is plenty of parking. I've never seen more than 20 cars here at any one time. Once parked you'll find the trail head/ start on the northwest side of the lot (opposite the dog ...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Thousand Steps Pools
4.3Driving down PCH southbound. Park at 9th street Laguna beach. You'l descend 219 stairs to be exact (feels like a 1,000). Once on the beach head to your left (south) until you come across a cave. Head through the cave (tide willing, best to go during a mid-low tide) and continue along the sea-sid...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Laguna Beach Caves
3.8Explore some beautiful caves right on the beach in Laguna. The stairs leading down to Thousand Setps Beach are just off the side of PCH at 9th st. You can park anywhere along the PCH on both sides near 9th st. Head down the stairs and the main caves are on the left. To the right there are also s...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Thousand Steps Beach
5.0Park at the intersection of Highway 1 and 9th Ave in Laguna Beach. Walk down the steps—there are more like 300 than 1000—and once you hit the beach, head south. When the tide is low, you can walk through a cave and on the other side you will find a couple of shallow pools where you can swim and ...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Skimboard Table Rock Beach
Laguna Beach is both the birthplace *and* and the capital of skimboarding, and for good reason: it boasts an impressive array of beaches where (if you know where to look) you can find one where the conditions are right for one of the most difficult but rewarding of water sports. Table Rock is one...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Aliso Peak via the Valido Trail
5.01.14 mi / 325 ft gainThe Valido Trail trailhead can be found just off West street off the Pacific Coast Highway, just south of Aliso Beach. Park on West Street past the trailhead. The trail proceeds approximate .5 miles till it intersects with the Aliso Peak Trail. Go left .4 miles to the obvious summit and wooden p...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Bodysurf at Aliso Beach
5.0This wave is super fun to bodysurf and shoot photos of when there is a swell. It is a shorebreak so be careful of shallow water and little rocks. It usually isn't too crowded especially on weekdays. Bring your fins and a smile and you have a good time.Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Explore Laguna Beach's Pirate Tower
4.4To find this little hidden treasure, put Victoria Beach into your phone as your destination and park for free on S Coast Highway anywhere between Sunset Terrace, McAulay Place, or Victoria Drive. Make your way down any of these streets toward the beach and you will see stairs going down at the en...Read more -
Laguna Niguel, California
Dripping Cave in the Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness
4.47.68 mi / 889 ft gainDripping Cave sits tucked away in a corner of Wood Canyon, part of the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, and the trail to the cave, while short, requires *at least* a 2.25 mile hike in from the nearest trailhead (West Ridge Trail to Mathis Canyon), though this is less than ideal as that rou...Read more -
Laguna Niguel, California
Kick Back at Laguna Niguel Regional Park
This is an awesome tucked away little adventure that will have you occupied all day! With plenty of picnic tables you can be sure to have your own privacy tucked into a corner free from other people. Grab a lake side picnic table or even the numerous ones around the grass fields, they are all won...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Exploring Pearl Street Beach's Arch Rock
4.0Pearl Street Beach is a great spot to just chill and watch (and photograph) the sunset with friends and family. Parking for the beach can be found on S. Coast Hwy (the 1) and is meter parking. There is also free, but limited parking available along the smaller streets closer to Pearl Street Beach...Read more
Top Activities
Camping and Lodging in Dana Point
Aguanga, California
Temecula KOA at Vail Lake
Welcome to your ideal Southern California escape to nature with wide-open spaces to explore. Temecula/Vail Lake KOA sits on 385 acres of ...
Temecula, California
Dripping Springs Campground (Ca)
Overview
Dripping Springs campground is a wonderful campground adjacent to the Agua Tibia Wilderness.Recreation
Recreation in the area in...
Palomar Mountain, California
Fry Creek Campground
Overview
Fry Creek Campground is situated in the heart of Cleveland National Forest, uniquely located down the road from the world-famous...
Palomar Mountain, California
Observatory Campground
Overview
Science buffs and families are drawn to Observatory Campground for its proximity to the Palomar Observatory, a world-class cente...
