Dana Point

I-5 is the primary north-south route through Orange County, and passes through the eastern portion of the city. State Route 1 begins in Dana Point and continues northwest through the city to other coastal Orange County cities.

• The Ocean Institute

  phone: +1 949 496-2274
  address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr.
  Founded in 1977, the Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean preservation through education, setting the standard for educational excellence and serving as a leading resource for universities, museums, teachers and all others seeking to increase their knowledge of the ocean. Visitors can enjoy ocean-themed exhibits, marine life touch tanks and aquaria with hundreds of marine creatures. Institute staff and volunteers are on hand to share the secrets of our seas. Unique maritime and ocean-themed items are available in the Chambers Gallery everyday, 9AM – 6PM. For an added charge, visitors can enjoy marine mammal cruises on board the Institute’s R/V Sea Explorer or sail on board the tall ship Spirit of Dana Point.

• Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching

  phone: +1 949 496-5794
  address: 34675 Golden Lantern
  Dana Wharf offers year-round whale watching and fishing. Year-round 1/2 price special on Tuesdays where all trips are 1/2 off. May - October is the Blue Whale season and November - April is the Gray Whale migration.

• Harbor House

  phone: +1 949 496-9270
  address: 34157 Pacific Coast Hwy

• Best Western Dana Point Inn-By-The-Sea

  phone: +1 949 240-0150
  address: 34744 Pacific Coast Highway

• Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel

  phone: +1 949 248-1000
  address: 34280 Pacific Coast Highway

• Laguna Cliffs Marriott

  phone: +1 949-661-5000
  address: 25135 Park Lantern

• Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel

  address: One Ritz-Carlton Dr
  Luxury hotel in Laguna, situated atop a 150-foot bluff overlooking 2 miles of beachfront & the Pacific.

• St. Regis Monarch Beach

  phone: +1 949-234-3200
  address: One Monarch Beach Resort
  Resort with 400 guestrooms. Golf courses, full service Spa Gaucin, Stonehill Tavern, Motif, Club 19 Patio Restaurant, and private beachfront dining.

• DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Doheny Beach - Dana Point

  phone: +1 949-661-1100
  address: 34402 Pacific Coast Highway
  Close to Doheny Beach, this is an all-suite hotel.

• Blue Lantern Inn

  phone: +1 949 661-1304
  address: 34343 Blue Lantern St
  Views looking over the harbor.

• Quality Inn & Suites Oceanview CA

  phone: +1 949 248-1316
  address: 34734 Pacific Coast Hwy, Capistrano Beach
  This hotel is only rated with two stars, however, it is much more inexpensive than many of the options in San Clemente. Although it is not in the city of San Clemente, it is right along Pacific Coast Highway leading you south directly into the Spanish village by the sea.

Dana Point is the southernmost city to have public transportation to Catalina Island (Avalon). Reservations are recommended.