Dana Point

The tide matters less here than on rocky coast, though a low tide at Doheny adds a lot of beach and opens up the tide pools at the north end of Dana Strand. The nearest NOAA tide station is Newport Beach, up the coast, and it publishes predictions only. Dana Point picks up swell from both the north and south, so there is surf in almost any season. Whale watching is best when the water is calm, so check the conditions before you book a trip.

Dana Point sits in south Orange County, just north of San Clemente, where the coast curves in toward the harbor and deep water comes close to shore. Gray whales pass December to April, blue whales come June to October, and dolphins and sea lions are here all year. People fish, kayak and paddleboard from the harbor, and the surf runs from gentle at Doheny to hollow at Salt Creek.

Beaches:

• Doheny State Beach — mild waves for beginner surfers and bodyboarders, and a campground on the sand (see below).
• Salt Creek Beach — the long stretch of sand below the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Its hollow, powerful waves are for advanced surfers, best in winter and crowded when the swell is good. The Salt Creek Trail runs along the bluffs from the hotel area down to the beach.
• Dana Strand Beach — a quieter beach at the base of the bluffs, with tide pools at the north end.
• Monarch Beach — high cliffs and snorkeling, reached through the Monarch Beach Resort or down a steep staircase from the parking lot. Usually less crowded.

The harbor is protected and easy to paddle, with rentals at Dana Point Harbor; stronger paddlers go out to the sea caves at the base of the cliffs. Stay clear of the jetties when it is rough. People fish from the jetties at both ends of the harbor, and charter boats go out to deeper water. For whales, Captain Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari runs trips from the harbor, and the Ocean Institute, a marine education center with hands-on exhibits, is also a departure point. Lunch on the water means fish tacos at Harbor Beach Cafe. Just inland, the mission at San Juan Capistrano celebrates the swallows' return every March 19th.