2025 Dana Point Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

I visited several beaches in Orange County with short stay at Disney. Among them, Laguna Beach and Salty Creek Beach stand out as the most beautiful. A friend also recommended Crystal Cove Beach, but I was too tired to go there. I prefer the Laguna Beach’s picnic beach is the best. It’s part of Laguna Beach and offers a great view of the ocean creatures. The seawater here is surprisingly clean, and there’s good local restaurants and art museums nearby. Many people suggest that you need a car to travel around, but I found the bus system to be very helpful. The No. 1 bus connects Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach, and you can take it even further. If you’re looking for a relaxing activity, the daily unlimited pass of $4.5 is a great option. It allows you to enjoy the beach without worrying about parking or transportation costs, maybe just few Ubers to make it easier.

We headed over to Dana Point Harbour - this place is just ideal for relaxing and unwinding, watching the yachts and sail boats come by and also admiring some of the town’s non human residents. And now for my big bucket list moment. Dana Point is the whale watching capital of the world, so I wasn’t going to let this moment pass by. There are boats that leave three times a day throughout the year. On Tuesdays, the day I went, this particular firm offers half price tickets which meant that tickets were $35 for a two hour sailing. Now, I set sail on the 2.30pm excursion. My hopes weren’t too high that I would see anything, as the captain explained that the two earlier crossings hadn’t seen much at all. There just aren’t any guarantees that any sea life - whales included - will be spotted on any of the sailings. But 15 minutes into the trip, our hopes were raised when dolphins started swimming near and alongside the boat. Then, what I’d been waiting to see. My hopes realised. Sightings of Humpback and Finn whales - right there in their natural habitat as we sailed by. #whales #california #us #usa #america #holiday #vacation

Sunset view from the hotel. How cute is this!

#familytravel The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, provides an upscale yet family-friendly vacation experience along the stunning California coastline. This beachfront resort offers a perfect blend of luxury and relaxation, with a range of activities suited to families. Kids can enjoy surf lessons, marine education programs, and sandcastle building on the beach, while adults can unwind at the spa or enjoy gourmet dining. The resort’s "Ritz Kids" program offers exciting hands-on activities such as nature walks and culinary workshops. With its breathtaking views and top-notch amenities, The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is an ideal destination for a memorable family getaway.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niquel Stay 6–8 nights Located in Dana Point, perched on a seaside cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by the sandy beaches of Salt Creek Beach Located between Los Angeles and San Diego, with a great location 【Hotel Features】 Most rooms have a private terrace or balcony with stunning sea views, and some first-floor sea view rooms also have outdoor fire pits; equipped with luxurious down duvets and pillows, 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, 55-inch to 65-inch LED flat-screen 1080p smart HDTVs, wireless and wired Internet, in-room laptop-sized safes and power outlets, Nespresso coffee machines, and more; marble bathrooms, most rooms have double sinks 1. The hotel has several restaurants and bars offering a variety of dining options

🏨The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel 📍Located on Dana Point, nestled atop a waterfront cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, near the sandy beaches of Salt Creek Beach🏖, between Los Angeles and San Diego —— 🌟【Hotel Features】 🛋Most rooms have private terraces or balconies with stunning sea views, some first floor sea view rooms also feature outdoor fires🔥;Equipped with luxurious goose down duvets and pillows, 400 Egyptian cotton sheets, 55" to 65" LED tablet 1080p smart HDTV, wireless and wired network, in-room laptop-sized safes and power outlets;Most rooms have marble bathrooms, Nes etc 🍴The hotel has several restaurants and bars offering a variety of food options • Raya: Offering coastal cuisine featuring sustainable 🦞 seafood, local produce and pan-Latin flavors. • 180blu: The ideal restaurant to watch the sunset, offering snacks, cocktails 🍹, and live music on select nights. • Taikun Omakase: Offering a carefully curated 16-course Omakase experience, (emoticons) advance reservation required. • Kahani: Here you can taste modern interpretations of authentic Indian food by 🧑🏼‍🍳Chef Sanjay. • Others: There are also dining venues such as Bar Raya, The Marketplace, and The Dana Pool Café, offering different options such as ☕️ coffee, tea, salads, sandwiches, and poolside casual dining The "Ritz Kids" program offers nature hikes, animal yoga, crafts, squid dissections and more for children aged 5 to 12 🧒; The hotel is pet friendly and after charging a certain fee, guests can bring no more than two 🐈pet dogs or cats, the hotel will provide pet beds, water bowls, pet meals, toys and snacks

#dayatthebeach I found my original beach in California. I love this beach very much! There is a very long coastline where you can swim. I walked for about fifteen minutes between the two entrances. The water is quite dry and there are few water plants. There are so many people basking in the sun by the sea. If you don't have a blanket, you can sit next to the stone. The parking lot above is also very large. Get off the bus and walk for a few minutes to the seaside. I must see the sea more often! Dana Strands Beach. #Beach #California Beach #Orangecounty #Let's go to see the sea together Dana strands Beach

The West Coast of Southern California is indeed worthy of its reputation. When I passed by this sea area by chance, my mood immediately became relaxed and happy. This may be the charm of taking photos directly. Every time I look through these photos, I will be deeply attracted by their beauty. 🏖️Salt Creek Beach 📍Dana Point

📍 Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, Dana Point, CA Hey, globe-trotters! 🌍 If you're cruising down the California coast, drop your bags at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort for a slice of paradise. 🏖️ Bask in the killer views and top-notch service that'll make you feel like royalty. 🤴👸 Fancy a ride? 🚲 Grab a complimentary bike (yeah, they could use a tune-up, but free is free!) and pedal through the scenic golf course to their beachside spot. Pro tip: Upgrade to an E-bike for those hills. 🚴‍♂️⛳️ Foodies, prepare to swoon over the steak tacos at their beach restaurant. 🌮 And when you're ready to catch some waves or simply soak up the sun, their shuttle will whisk you away to sandy bliss. 🚌🏖️ Sure, it's a pretty penny to stay here, and some bits might show their age, but the spacious rooms and proximity to the sea make it worth every dime. 💸🌅 Can't wait to go back and live it up! 🍹🛏️

Nestled atop a seaside bluff, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is your slice of coastal paradise. 🏝️ With a lobby that wows and an exterior that charms, it's a feast for the senses even before you step into your room. Though the rooms are cozy, they pack a punch with luxurious bathrooms that turn self-care into an art form. 🛁 Dive into the satisfaction of a prime location, where every corner turned is a postcard-worthy view. 📸 The crown jewel? Those stunning ocean-view rooms that invite the horizon right to your bedside. 🌅 Whether you're dining in with the sound of waves as your playlist or exploring the nearby wonders, this hotel is a treasure trove of experiences. 🍽️ And when it comes to value, it's like finding a pearl in an oyster—precious and surprisingly affordable. Find your getaway at One Ritz-Carlton Drive, Dana Point, California, 92629—where luxury meets the ocean. 📍 #LagunaNiguel #RitzCarltonLaguna #CaliforniaTravel

Location: Salt Creek Beach, California, USA A beach and beach park with a basketball court that looks like it came out of The First Slam Dunk! This place in California is not well known, but it is considered a very healing spot, with many people enjoying picnics on the wide grassy hills! If you drive around a little, there are many ocean view cafes and pretty buildings nearby, so it is a great beach to drive by :) #Beach

What to eat on the weekend? Today I will introduce Good Choice Sushi @Laguna Niguel The location setting is another branch! I've eaten here a few times, and although I can't say it's very delicious, I always think of this restaurant when I want to eat sushi. It can be said to have a kind of magic (laughs) Lunch combos are available on weekends, with prices starting at $10. The prices of other meals are also affordable! Asked if we would eat there again, the answer was Yes! By the way, we all take out (because of the epidemic) Cuisine: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Price: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Service: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 #sushi restaurant #lagunaniguel

Dana Point Harbor is a great place to unwind. You can rent a boat here and even join a group tour for whale watching. What I love though is the calmness of the place making myself at peace. #wintergetaway #wintergetaway