Strand Vista Park — Attraction in Dana Point

I am a tree Someday I will fall But today, I stand. I am old you see my scars, Limbs missing, My trunk, which once sprouted 3 ways, only sprouts once to the South with my North and West trunk gone. I am no longer beautiful but I have weathered many storms, I have helped birth many baby birds and I have always tried to reach for the sky. The mountain behind me shades me for much of the day. I love how big, powerful and lush my mountain is. But let me turn your gaze to my view and what I have seen for decades. I have seen waves, millions of waves, some reaching my trunk. Some powerful waves accompanied by the wind, yet, none have pulled me out to sea. I see young people, old people with dreams and goals. Some notice me, many don't. Some people never return but only enjoyed a brief moment in time with me. I see beautiful homes, mansions, I see big heavy rocks lined up to protect my mountain from the ocean. I see a beautiful sky reaching forever. I see big boats, little boats, surfers, swimmers, walkers, runners, rich people, poor people, happy persons, sad persons. For all I remain a tree until the Lord resets my agenda. At my feet there are burnt woods, seaweeds, cigarette butts, rocks, sand, weeds, bushes, twigs, branches, dead stuff trying to obscure my view but I look upward and outward nevermind the driftwood. I am a Royal tree indeed.

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Strand Vista Park offers an awesome view of the ocean, and of the magnificent houses costing upwards of $15 million. We stopped off to watch the sunset, and were able to find a parking spot facing the vista. The lot is a good size and parking is free. Like many people there, we backed in and waited for sunset. We ended up walking the sidewalk path, which can be done with a stroller, and even down the steps to the beach. There are a lot of steps to get down, but there is a cable car/inclined elevator for persons with disabilities (Strand Beach Funicular Cable Car Access). At a minimum, the funicular will be open to the public during daylight hours on weekends, holidays year-round, and every day beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The Funicular may also be used by families, or for bringing down beach gear, but for further information see the Dana Point website. Bathrooms are available here as well. This location offers an easy stage for yet another romantic, or breathtaking sunset. Get out a chair, slow down, and take in the red and orange hues of the setting sun. We weren’t disappointed, and...

Yes, the park is nice! It's FREE parking! Dana Point is pretty good for this. One of the best places to watch the sunset. A narrow grassy gentle slope extends between the parking lot and concrete walkway which is mosaiced with ocean colors (transition from beach to deep water) and ocean critters. The view is the beautiful Pacific AND overlooks the multi-million dollar homes so is difficult to see the surf break. In my early day this view was of natural habitat and a trailer park, I kinda miss that. There are garbage cans, bathrooms, and water for people and dogs (and lots of people and dog walkers, surfers, generally cool folk). My Advice: GO DOWN THE STAIRS TO THE BEACH! At low tide and early morning this is the best beach ever. Uncrowded. Good board and body surfing waves, access to the headlands south, and Salt Creek beach north (and a great menu at Young's Beach Shack). Dolphins pods swim by occasionally. For birders seasonally there are snowy plovers, whimbrels, marbled godwits and other shorebirds, and godwits and CA gnatcatchers in the coastal sage around the park. I love Strands Beach and hate to give it...