Doheny State Beach — Attraction in Dana Point

Beautiful well maintained beach with volleyball, great surfing, bike rentals, excellent beach, picnic tables, BBQ grills and great big lawns. A favorite of local surfers, very popular. Great place to watch surfers, there are many in a concentrated area.

Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, California, is a gem for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This beautiful beach offers a range of amenities and activities that cater to all ages, making it a perfect destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway.

The beach itself is stunning, with soft sandy shores and gentle waves ideal for swimming, surfing, and paddleboarding. There are designated areas for surfing, ensuring everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience in the water. For those who prefer to stay dry, the beach is perfect for sunbathing, beach volleyball, or a relaxing walk along the shore.

Doheny State Beach also features well-maintained picnic areas with tables and BBQ grills, making it an excellent spot for family gatherings or a casual meal with friends. The grassy park area is great for playing frisbee, flying kites, or simply enjoying the ocean breeze.

The amenities at Doheny State Beach are top-notch. Clean restrooms, outdoor showers, and ample parking make for a comfortable visit. The visitor center provides information about the local marine life and ecosystem, adding an educational element to your trip. There are also several nearby shops and restaurants within walking distance, offering convenience for visitors.

Overall, Doheny State Beach offers a fantastic blend of natural beauty, excellent amenities, and diverse activities. Highly recommended for a fun and relaxing beach day...

HEAVILY BOOKED UP, BOOK IN ADVANCE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN IF YOU ARE CAMPING.

The beach is very clean. It had some of the best showers I’ve seen at a public beach including the campground showers which got hot stayed hot.

All the volunteers and employees are super kind, welcoming and give you good insight into the campgrounds and camping if you ask.

CRITTERS AND ANIMALS:

I mostly just saw rats at night time. Left out some bait and a water bottle and they got into it but didn’t make a mess. Secure all food at night in a crate or ice chest that locks or has a heavy object on it. The rats are fairly clever and owned up one of the smaller ice chests but didn’t get into it because it was mostly ice.

No bears obviously. No signs of mt lions, coyotes and other common state park animals. There’s a theft alert all around for high value items, generators and e bikes in camp so secure your gear.

Saw lots of surfers and swimmers despite the rough waves. If the waves are too rough here, I’d consider going to baby beach if it hasn’t gotten too crowded. It’s down the street and much more calm if you bring young kiddos.

People also fish the beach day and night, I ended up catching a baby leopard shark which are pretty common in this area.

Trains actively roll through camp so bring earplugs if you sleep light.

The cafe on site is delicious and cheap… try the duck beer ! It’s so good!

Firewood is $10

There’s a visitor center with a mini aquarium and museum, right now they also do pop up shops on weekends.

There are two companies on their website who deliver rv rentals to camp if you so chose to stay in one, I’d highly recommend it because it gets cold as...

Officially the first California State Beach, Doheny has become one of the most popular and accessible state beaches. Conveniently located in Dana Point, there is ample paid parking in an area surrounded by hills of wealthy homes with breath taking views.

There is an entrance fee and parking fee for day use. Overnight parking is in the form of camping fees for both ground and RV usage. The areas are separated along the length of the beach and adjacent available parking. Signage will detail fees and usage guidelines.

Restrooms and showers are adequately maintained within each of the camping areas and patrolled by state authorities. RV size will limit access to half the park due to the size of your vehicle and/or trailer.

This state beach is frequented quite somewhat. It's popular among day users, campers, and surfers. With that comes a certain amount of cleanliness and trash.

Speed limits are posted everywhere for vehicular traffic and enforced strictly, especially on weekends and holidays. There are many pedestrians and bicycle traffic to watch out for.

Day usage in many areas has parking right next to the sand with the shallow shoreline, making vehicle and RV picnicking quite easy and enjoyable. Early arrival may be necessary to secure a favorable spot.

The main beach area is very popular for longboarders. The breaks here at this beach are ideal for beginners and families. There is an equipment rental station and snack bar serving good food...