Dana Point is situated on the beautiful Southern California coast, halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles. It prides itself with nearly seven miles of coastal bluffs and rolling hills along the Pacific Ocean with its charming beaches and wild surfs. Most noteworthy of these bluffs is a unique promontory known as the “Headlands”, which overlooks Dana Point Harbor, one of the most significant man-made alterations of the Orange County coastline. Dana Point encompasses 6.5 square miles and is home to 35,110 people and numerous businesses, all working together as one community. You can see this collaboration in action during some of the City’s annual festivals and events such as the Turkey Trot in November, Festival of Whales in March, and its 4th of July fireworks show. The City is home to the Dana Point Harbor, the newly opened Ocean Institute presenting a wide array of marine life, to several beautiful lodging facilities and restaurants to accommodate your special needs.
Dana Point is named after Richard Henry Dana, Jr., a Harvard-trained lawyer, seaman, and author of the classic sea journal, Two Years Before the Mast. His writings document the voyage from Boston around Cape Horn to California on the merchant ship, Pilgrim, and describe the area once known as Capistrano Bay, as “the most romantic spot on the California Coast”. Today, Capistrano Bay is known as Dana Point. Another fascinating area commonly known to many as Monarch Bay, is also known as Dana Point. For more historical information about Capistrano Bay and Monarch Bay, please visit the Dana Point Historical Society at www.danapointhistorical.org.
The City incorporated in January 1989 as a general law City with a Council-Manager form of government with five Council members elected citywide. The City’s leadership and development is guided by its Mission, and Strategic and General Plans. The City provides a myriad of services such as Police and Fire (through the County of Orange and the Fire District Authority), code enforcement, zoning and building permitting, public works, recreation, parks and senior services. It also provides other services and programs such as animal control, street sweeping, annual tree maintenance, community gardens, vacation checks, and others. The Council and staff are committed to producing results and providing our residents, businesses and visitors with excellent service.
