The Lantern District in Dana Point blends coastal charm with maritime heritage. Named after lanterns that once guided ships, this revitalised area offers scenic harbour views and waterfront dining. Del Prado Avenue hums with activity day and night. Visitors can explore Dana Point Preserve or stroll the harbour boardwalk for Pacific Ocean panoramas. The district features nautical-themed shops, restaurants with sunset views, and boat-watching spots. Though limited in public transit, the area remains highly walkable with plenty of harbor-side paths.
Capistrano Beach charms visitors with its pristine shoreline and relaxed coastal vibe. Doheny State Beach invites swimmers and surfers while scenic paths along the waterfront offer Pacific Ocean views. The residential streets beyond reveal authentic Southern California beach living. Take a stroll through Capistrano Beach Park with its grassy bluffs overlooking the sea. Explore fascinating tide pools during low tide or watch for whales from the shore. The area balances tourist amenities with local character for a genuine beach experience.
This exclusive seaside enclave captures the essence of luxury coastal California living. Monarch Beach boasts pristine sandy shores, world-class golf with Pacific Ocean panoramas, and the Mediterranean-inspired Waldorf Astoria resort. Dramatic cliffs frame idyllic beaches perfect for sunbathing or exploring fascinating tide pools. Walk along scenic coastal paths with stunning ocean views or challenge yourself at Monarch Beach Golf Links. The upscale atmosphere extends to sophisticated dining options featuring fresh seafood and California cuisine. Though public transit is limited, the natural beauty and resort amenities create a peaceful retreat from everyday life.
Dana Hills combines suburban tranquility with coastal proximity in this charming Dana Point area. Winding streets lined with Mediterranean-style homes create a peaceful retreat just minutes from beautiful beaches. The area's rolling landscape offers occasional ocean glimpses through mature eucalyptus and palm trees. Visitors can enjoy morning walks on quiet residential streets or practice their serve at Dana Hills Tennis Centre. A short drive takes you to Dana Point Harbor's waterfront dining or Monarch Beach Golf Links for a round with ocean views.
Discover the most popular places to visit in Dana Point
Dana Point Harbor
9.4/10 (1,299 reviews)
This vibrant maritime hub offers whale watching tours that earned Dana Point its title as the Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World. Explore the harbor's upscale shops and restaurants between ocean adventures.
Doheny State Beach
9.0/10 (704 reviews)
California's first state beach offers a mile-long shoreline with gentle surf and vibrant tide pools. Enjoy camping facilities or relax on the lawn with picnic areas after exploring the aquarium exhibits.
Photo by Kristy Logan
Open Photo by Kristy Logan
Salt Creek Beach Park
9.0/10 (272 reviews)
Salt Creek Beach offers premier surfing waves from its offshore reef creating Southern California's best left swells. Explore tidepools at low tide or relax on the sand before picnicking at Bluff Park.
Salt Creek Beach
9.2/10 (112 reviews)
Salt Creek Beach offers premier surfing with its offshore reef creating some of California's best left swells. Explore the vibrant tide pools at low tide or enjoy panoramic ocean views from the adjacent Bluff Park.
Photo by Ruth Rieckehoff
Open Photo by Ruth Rieckehoff
Baby Beach
8.8/10 (140 reviews)
This sheltered cove offers calm waters perfect for families with young children and beginner swimmers. Enjoy the adjacent grassy park with picnic tables or rent kayaks to explore Dana Point Harbor's protected waters.
Capistrano Beach Park
8.8/10 (57 reviews)
Capistrano Beach Park offers a relaxing coastal escape with convenient beach access and scenic ocean views. Enjoy surfing, volleyball, or a peaceful picnic while listening to waves crash against the Dana Point shoreline.
The Coach House
8.6/10 (36 reviews)
This intimate concert hall brings legendary musicians and emerging artists together in San Juan Capistrano. Reserve a table for dinner before the show to experience live music just feet from your seat.
Monarch Beach Golf Links
8.6/10 (123 reviews)
This Robert Trent Jones Jr. design offers a par-70 championship course with panoramic Pacific Ocean views. Enjoy meticulously maintained fairways while coastal breezes enhance your premium golfing experience.
"My husband and I had an absolutely miserable experience with the staff at Woods Cove Inn. We have never left a negative hotel review before, but after the amount of stress and financial hardship this situation has caused us, and the complete lack of care we received in return, we feel obligated to warn others.
It took more than 48 hours and multiple attempts to finally get a manager to call us back. The staff members we spoke with were incredibly rude. We were repeatedly talked over, had voices...
"All staff,front desk, maintenance, house-keeping, breakfast server,manager VERY accommodating and rectified the below to the best of their abilites.
3 king rooms in 24 hrs:
rm 1 dank smell, wet couch, uncomfortable
bed. Moved to rm 2 wet couch, no shower curtain, safe not working, carbon monoxide detector not working,we coughed all night, bed uncomfortable. Moved to Rm 3: updated to king supreme room (Mgr removed upgrade fee) very comfortable bed, very noisy (off street),window seal...
"Always easy check-in and check out. The rooms are always clean and the staff is always helpful. I really appreciate the bar and restaurant above the hotel, including the two free drink tickets."
"I like close to beach 2-3 miles away, bed was good, taking a shower good.
Breakfast was the worst, advertised that it was included, reason to choose this hotel, in reality it was in a restaurant across the street with $15 dollar discount ( or 15%), parking so difficult for a truck not enough space, check in you have to enter a code to the door that did not work, nobody gave information how to enter the code, to press unlock, lock etcetera. could be easy just to write it in a small card to have...
"The hotel was not what I was expecting. There were several opportunities for minor cosmetic fixes. Not one piece of equipment in the gym actually worked. There was no hot tub."
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Offering excellent value package deals on Expedia, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much a holiday to Dana Point costs! Expedia's packages mean less travel planning for you and greater savings.
What are the cheapest months to go to Dana Point?
January, February and November are great times to search for cheap Dana Point holiday packages. Choosing to travel in quieter months means you can generally find lower prices on accommodation and flights.
How many days is enough for Dana Point?
We recommend planning a Dana Point holiday for a minimum of 2 days. This will allow you time to visit key attractions including Capistrano Beach Park and Baby Beach, and check out neighbourhoods like Capistrano Beach and Pearl District. You could even slot in a day trip (or two) from Dana Point.
Is it worth booking a holiday package to Dana Point?
Dana Point is a good holiday destination with attractions like Salt Creek Beach Park among the many things to keep you entertained. Whether you're heading away with the family or planning a trip with friends, a Dana Point holiday promises fun for everyone.
How to find the best Dana Point package deals?
Start your search for a Dana Point package deal by entering your preferred trip dates and destination under our "Packages" tab. Then apply a few filters, like "Popular locations" and "Amenities," to fine-tune the results to your exact style. You can also sort by "Package discount" and discover offers that come with big savings. If you don't find the ideal Dana Point package deal right away, just change your dates and search again. Bear in mind that deals are only available for a limited time, so book early and get your Dana Point escape off to a flying start.
Is it cheaper to book a Dana Point holiday as a package?
An Expedia holiday package could land you great savings when compared to booking accommodation and flights separately. Better still, you can customise your Dana Point trip to match your exact style. Pick your preferred flight time, select the hotel type and add a car rental. Check out our great deals to see how much you can save.
When to book a holiday package to Dana Point?
If you're planning an impromptu Dana Point adventure, browse our last-minute deals that can be booked up to a week before you take off. Don't want to leave things to the last minute? You can land incredible deals on your hotels and flights by booking ahead.
How to plan a trip to Dana Point?
Choose your travel dates: What you'd like to do in Dana Point and your favourite season will help you decide when to go.
Calculate your budget: Ensure you have enough money to cover everything from transportation and food to activities and flights. Your hotel will probably be the biggest expense during your trip to Dana Point.
Decide your trip length: Consider how long you'd like to spend exploring Dana Point. Plan your days so you can get to all the attractions and activities you're interested in without rushing.
Bundle your flights and hotel: Awesome destination, check. Length of stay, check. All that's left now is to pick a Dana Point holiday package that brings all your bookings together.
* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages.