Dana Point Harbor

The Harbor houses 2,500 yachts within its two marinas, inside a one-and-a-half mile jetty. Complete harbor facilities include guest slips, a fuel dock, shipyard, launch ramp, boat rentals, yacht sales, community class instruction for all ages, fishing, windsurfing, jetskiing, kataking, boat charters, two yacht clubs, sailing association, ocean classroom labs, shops, restaurants, picnicking and a baby beach for young swimmers.

Whale Watching Excursions

Gray Whale Watching - December through April
Dana Point Harbor

Dana Point is ideally located and is said to be a reference landmark for the Whales by many Ocean Naturalists. Dana Wharf Sportsfishing captains are very experienced, and will educate you on the whales and dolphins.

Whale Watching excursions departs daily, and there is an option to buy tickets on-line!

The Pilgrim

Dana Point Harbor
949-496-2274

The Pilgrim is a full size replica of the hide brig immortalized by Richard Henry Dana, Jr. in his American seafaring classic novel Two Years Before the Mast. Dana said of the Pilgrim, "The vessel I am going on is small, but strong and a remarkably fast sailor having been built for the smuggling trade."

Ocean Institute

Dana Point Harbor Drive
949-496-2274

The public can join their scientists aboard the R/V Sea Explorer for an in-depth study of whales, dolphins and sea lions using customized state-of-the-art equipment including plankton nets, grab samplers, video microscopes and the dolphin-cam! Free Marine Mammal Lecture Series 2002 will run January through March.

Headlands Photo courtesy of OCBook.com Cliff Wassmann - Photographer

Doheny State Beach

Dana Harbor
Pacific Coast Highway and Doheny Park Road
949-496-6172
For camping reservations, call 1-800-444-PARK (7275)

Situated next to Dana Point Harbor with easy access to restaurants, Dana Point Marine Life Refuge, swim beach and tide pools. Facilities include, Lifeguards, food & drink, rest rooms, showers, picnic areas, and fire rings. There are 120 tent and RV campsites as well as bike paths, campgrounds, rentals, hiking, surfing and volleyball.

Crystal Cove State Park

949-494-3539

Located just nor of Laguna Beach, this beautiful stretch of land features rustic, overnight campsites, a stretch of coastal cliffs and a beach front cove sandwiched between Pacific Coast Highway and the Pacific Ocean.

Crystal Cove is used by mountain bikers inland and scuba and skin divers underwater. The beach is popular with both swimmers and surfers.

 

Pacific Marine Mammal Centerr

20612 Laguna Canyon Road
949-494-3050

A non-profit, volunteer organization and education center. They rescue, rehabilitate, and release sick and injured seals and sea lions. Programs include a guided tour of the animal care facility and exhibit room, a slide presentation and observation of the animals.

Laguna Art Museum

307 Cliff Drive
949-494-8971

Located just steps from the Pacific Ocean in Laguna Beach. Museum visitors can enjoy continuously changing exhibitions of works by historical, contemporary, and emerging artists and browse through the Museum Store and Art Rental and Sales Gallery.

Laguna College of Art & Design

949-494-8971

Also offering classes for children along with lectures, concerts, and exhibitions.

Laguna Playhouse

606 Laguna Canyon Rd
949-497-ARTS

West Coast's oldest continuously operating theater companyoffering a 5-play main stage season and a 4-play children's season in the beautiful 400 seat Moulton Theater. Season runs September through June.

Main Beach

Located on Pacific Coast Highway at Laguna Canyon Road

Quaint and picturesque, this is where locals and tourists alike spend their time. Attractions include: basketball courts, volleyball courts, downtown boutiques and galleries, plus world-class restaurants.

Casa Romantica

415 Avenida Granada
949-498-2139

Overlooking San Clemente pier, this 1928 estate was the home of the city’s founder, Ole Hanson. The renovated 2.4-acre site features historic exhibitions, literary symposia, musical attractions, special events, and diverse educational and cultural opportunities that encourage visitors to explore the Romance and Reality of the Southern California experience.

Cabrillo Playhouse

202 Avenida Cabrillo
949-492-0465

This captivating 66-seat theater was converted from one of the city's historic buildings from the 1920's. Founded in 1953, the playhouse has been delighting audiences with it's productions ever since.

San Clemente Pier

601 Avenida Victoria

The pier is 1,200 feet long and was built in 1928. It's a wonderful spot to take a stroll, watch the surfers, fish off the side or enjoy a meal at the Fisherman's Resaurant and oyster bar.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Ortega Hwy and El Camino Real
Information Call 949-234-1300

Mission San Juan Capistrano, the Birthplace of Orange County, was founded more than two hundred years ago. Today it is a monument to California' multi-cultural history, embracing its Native American, Spanish, Mexican and European heritage.

Camino Real Playhouse

1776 El Camino Real
(949) 489-8082

Finding it's home in the beautiful and historic city of San Juan Capistrano ... the Camino Real Playhouse is South Orange County's destination for whimsical, gripping and compelling performances. From their annual worldwide playwriting festival ShowOff! to their annual Shakespeare under the Stars performed in Historic Town Center Park next to the Playhouse.

Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park

33401 Ortega Highway
949-923-2210

An 8,000 acre protected wilderness preserve nestled among the river terraces and sandstone canyons of the western coastal Santa Ana Mountains. The park has campgrounds, restrooms and showers, picnic areas, an equestrian campground, hiking and equestrian trails and a future visitor center will offer the park user an insight into the park's history, wildlife and plant life.

Camping and Hiking - Cleveland National Forest

Ortega Hwy (Highway 74)

Ortega Highway winds up through the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest.

Along this highway are beautiful hiking trails, campgrounds and scenic stops.

Zoomars Petting Zoo & Bird Park

31791 Los Rios Street
949- 831-6550

ZOOMARS is home to hundreds of friendly animals to feed, pet, love and learn from. There are goats, emus, llamas, donkeys, alpacas, sheep, geese, ducks, guinea pigs and a bunny patch. After petting the animals, youngsters can saddle up for a pony ride or hop aboard the miniature train. At the front of the property is the century-old Olivares House, listed on the National Registry. Behind it sits an 1890’s bathhouse and picnic area available for birthday parties or family gatherings.

Sherman Library & Gardens

2647 East Pacific Coast Highway
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
949-673-2261

A 2.2 acre horticultural retreat. The Gardens provide a museum of living plants, displayed amidst a setting of immaculate gardens, patios and conservatories linked together by wide brick walkways, beds blooming with seasonal flowers and bubbling tile fountains. The Library is a specialized research center devoted to the study of the Pacific Southwest.

Balboa Fun Zone

600 E. Bay Ave.
Balboa, CA 92661
949-673-0408

The Balboa Fun Zone is one of Southern California's oldest and last great coastal amusement areas. Attractions include the old horse carousel built in 1938, a 14-foot trampoline, laser tag, arcade and boat tours. Located on the Balboa Peninsula of Newport Beach.

Fashion Island

401 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA
949-720-2000

With over 200 stores, 40 restaurants and two cinemas with more than a dozen screens, you'll have the time of your life shopping outdoors amid sparkling fountains, sidewalk carts, ocean breezes and tree-lined paseos.

Newport Aquatic Center

949-646-7725

Offering the public unique opportunities in the Olympic water sports of rowing, canoeing, kayaking and outrigger canoe competition. The public can enjoy use of our kayaks and canoes by renting by the hour

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum

151 East Pacific Coast Hwy
Newport Beach
949-675-8915

The largest nautical museum in Orange County, California. Includes ship models, ship paintings, and special events.

Newport Theatre Arts Center

2501 Cliff Drive
949-631-0288

Known as the finest community theater in Orange County, this local theater has been in operation for 25 years.

Bolsa Chica Wetlands

Located off Pacific Coast Highway
(between Seapoint & Warner Ave)

Bolsa Chica Wetlands is a 300 acre coastal sanctuary for wildlife and migratory birds.

Huntington Beach Pier

May
714-536-6712

Built in 1914, this 1,750 foot pier was shut down in July 1988 after officials found it no longer was structurally safe. After being rebuilt, it is a blend of old and new in design.

Huntington Beach Central Park

Park entrances can be found on
Edwards, GoldenWest, Gothard, Slater, and Talbert Streets

350 acres consisting of beautiful trees and foliage plus six miles of trails. Includes a frisbee disc course, dog park, free concerts, playgrounds and nature center.

Huntington Beach Playhouse

7111 Talbert Avenue
between Golden West and Gothard
714-375-0696

The Mission of the Huntington Beach Playhouse is to provide the community with the best possible experience and enjoyment available in the cultural arts. Presenting productions in the dramatic, comedy and musical arts for the entertainment of our patrons.

International Surfing Museum

411 Olive Ave.,
Huntington Beach 92648
(714) 960-3483

Home to a collection of some of the most significant artifacts in the history of surfing. With surf music and videos playing in the background, you'll be in the mood to view the many fine exhibits.

Shipley Nature Center

Located in Huntington Beach Central Park
(south of Slater Street and west of Goldenwest Street)
714-842-4772

Opened in 1974, the Shipley Nature Center is an 18-acre fenced natural area within Huntington Beach Central Park, CA. Named after former Mayor Donald D. Shipley, the center is owned by the City of Huntington Beach. The Nature Center includes 4,000 feet of trails that meander through several habitats, including oak woodlands, Torrey pines, meadows, and Blackbird Pond, a natural freshwater wetland with mature willows and sycamores. Within the Nature Center is a 1,500 sq. ft. Interpretive Building with exhibits on local wildlife and ecology.

Red Car Museum

Main and Electric Avenue
562-683-1874

On the old Pacific Electric Right of Way. Car No. 1734 is a rare Pacific Electric tower car built in 1925 which serves as the museum headquarters. It was once a roving machine shop sent out to troubleshoot problems along the 40-mile Pacific Electric LA-Newport Line. It operated for almost 50 years until 1950. The museum displays photographs of early Seal Beach, sea shells and Indian artifacts collected locally

Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge

Naval Weapons Station. Main entrance 800 Seal Beach Blvd.

Home to such species as the snowy egret and the great blue heron,this wetlands area is one of the last undeveloped coastal areas in Southern California. Designated by President Nixon in 1972 for the preservation of the environment.