A SNAPSHOT OF DANA POINT - DANA POINT ATTRACTS MORE THAN 2 MILLION VISITORS PER YEAR

Dana Point was incorporated on January 1, 1989. The City's boundaries encompass the three distinct communities of Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, and Monarch Beach. Dana Point's adjoining cities include Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano.

Dana Point is located midway between the cities of San Diego and Los Angeles in the southern portion of Orange County. This location provides access to four major airports within about one hour's drive. The airports are San Diego, John Wayne, LAX and Ontario.  The San Diego Freeway runs through the City from north to south and Pacific Coast Highway provides intercity access to the beach communities of Orange County. The Orange County Transportation Authority provides public bus service to all of Orange County. Local train service is provided within five minutes of most residents via Amtrak (San Juan Capistrano) and Metrolink (San Clemente).

Dana Point Harbor provides slips and mooring for over 2,500 boats along with over 50 specialty shops and restaurants. The Harbor attracts over a million visitors annually for whalewatching, sportfishing, shopping, walking, bicycling, parasailing and a whole host of recreational activities. The Harbor is also home to the Ocean Institute, a nationally recognized research and teaching facility dedicated to the protection of the marine environment.

Dana Point Harbor is also home to the International 5k-10k Dana Point Turkey Trot held annually on Thanksgiving Day since 1978.  In its 30th year, this USA Track & Field certified, chip-timed race benefits Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and attracts elite runners along with families on this holiday.  www.turkeytrot.com

Dana Point Harbor is the gateway to Doheny State Park, one of California's most popular beach facilities. The 62-acre State Park offers camping, picnicking, swimming, surfing, bicycling, tidepool exploration and more.

The Festival of Whales is held annually in March in the Dana Point Harbor and attracts thousands each year.  www.festivalofwhales.com.

Dana Point provides over 1,835 hotel rooms ranging in accommodations and services from economy hotels to the five diamond Ritz Carlton and St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa, the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa and the Doubletree Guest Suites-Doheny Beach. Convention and meeting facilities are available at the larger resort facilities. All provide access to Dana Point's unique coastal amenities.