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Winter

Whale Watching Season

Migration season for the Gray Whale is December through early April. Dana Point Harbor has great Whale Watching Excursion Services to provide you with an exciting and and awesome experience. Each service is different, so check them out before you decide on your whale watch experience.

DANA POINT COMPANIES PROVIDING EXCURSIONS:
Dana Wharf Sportsfishing
Dana Point Harbor
Dana Point

Captain Dave's Dolphin Safari
24440 Dana Point Harbor
Drive Dana Point, CA 92629

ANNUAL BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS - December

Boaters from all around Orange County decorate their boats and vie for awards. You can view the parade free from anywhere in the Harbor, or make reservations at one of the restaurants to view it from a cozy and warm spot. Visitors are welcome to come down and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.

LOCATION:
Dana Point Harbor
34555 Golden Lantern

** Dana Wharf Sportfishing offers boat rides so you too can experience the fun of actually riding on a boat and joining in the parade. Reservations can be made at www.danawharf.com

Holiday in the Harbor - Late November/ Early December

The three areas of the Harbor, Dana Wharf, Mariners Village and Mariner's Alley all host holiday activities geared to families and children. There are many fun activities, such as photos with Santa, performances by various characters, and holiday crafts, people painting, and a caricature artist.

LOCATIONS:
Activities start on the grass in front of Harpoon Henry's at 34555 Golden Lantern, Dana Point Harbor. Niguel Fine Arts will be hosting an Art Show and Sale dockside. The parking and events are FREE!

INFORMATION:
(949) 923-2255

BOAT RIDES WITH SANTA - Early December

Held at Dana Wharf Sportfishing Docks. Twenty-minute Harbor cruise with Santa and his helpers. Santa will be hearing those Christmas wishes as you cruise the Harbor. What a unique and fun way for kids of all ages to visit with Santa, dress warm.

LOCATION:
Dana Wharf Sportfishing docks
34675 Golden Lantern - between Jon’s Fish Market and Wind and Sea

INFORMATION:
(949) 923-2255

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Spring

Festival of Whales - March

March is the time of the year that the whales to make their annual trip down south and the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce will celebrate with their Annual Street Fair, which is part of the Whale Festival with a weekend of fun, food, entertainment and an arts & craft show with over 100 vendors.


LOCATION:
Dana Point Harbor

INFORMATION:
949-472-7888 or 1-888-440-4309

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Summer

July 4th Fireworks Show
All Day Festivities - Fireworks at 9pm

South Orange County's best aerial fireworks displays. The fireworks are synchronized to a captivating musical score...if you haven't heard the music with the fireworks, you're only getting half the experience! Bring your radio to your favorite viewing spot and tune it to 88.5FM KSBR!.

Visitors from all over Southern California flock to Dana Point each year for this summer tradition. Local residents are encouraged to bike or walk to their favorite viewing spot to avoid the annual parking difficulties. FREE Shuttle buses make round trips from the Dana Hills High School to Dana Point Harbor, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. If you must drive, plan ahead. Parking lots at Doheny State Beach and the Dana Point Harbor fill up very early. Personal vehicle access to the Harbor closes at 7:30 p.m., only buses will be allowed in during the closure.

For additional information, call (949) 248-3500

Free Summer Concert Series

DETAILS:
Ten weeks of musical entertainment presented by the City of Dana Point.

DATES & TIMES:
Concert times are 4:30-6:00 p.m.

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Fall

Ocean Institute's Maritime Festival - September

At the Ocean Institute: Sea Chantey Concert, maritime exhibits and demonstrations, Port Royal Privateers encampment, model boat building, wood carving, touch tank encounters, rope challenge course, crafts and food.

Admission to Art & Craft show, live entertainment, living-history demonstrations, pirate encampment and food vendor area: FREE

LOCATION:
Dana Point Harbor

INFORMATION:
949-496-2274

California Coastal Cleanup Day -
September

This premier volunteer event focuses on the marine environment in Orange Country. Each year, more than 40,000 volunteers turn out to over 400 cleanup sites statewide to conduct what has been hailed by the Guinness Book of Records as "the largest garbage collection" (1993). Since the program started in 1985, over 552,000 Californians have removed almost 8.5 million pounds of debris from our state's shorelines and coast. When combined with the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by The Ocean Conservancy and taking place on the same day, California Coastal Cleanup Day becomes part of one of the largest volunteer events of the year!

Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta September

Three days of competitive sailing and one day fishing tournament. Participants have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the Dana Point Yacht Club, which features a breathtaking clubhouse and panoramic views of the Dana Point Harbor.

A wide variety of activities will take place throughout the four days. Some of which include; Thursday Lido & Capri sail races and the Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament, Friday sponsor and VIP recognition dinner, Saturday and Sunday boaters continental breakfast, a full day of sail races and a fishing tournament both Saturday and Sunday, Saturday evenings Casino night, and Sunday's boaters lunch and awards. All four-days of fun filled events will be open to Sponsors.

LOCATION:
Dana Point Yacht Club
Dana Point, CA

INFORMATION:
949-496-2900

Annual Halloween Haunt - October

Celebrate Halloween in a safe and fun environment with State Park Staff and Volunteers at our Campfire Center from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. They will have a small spooky area, nocturnal educational booths and activities, arts and crafts, and snacks. Dress in costume and please bring a non-perishable food item per person for donation to a local food bank.

LOCATION:
Dana Point Harbor Campfire Center

INFORMATION:
949-496-3617

disneylandTurkey Trot - November

California's Largest Thanksgiving Day Run Event - The Dana Point Turkey Trot - One of America's Most Scenic Runs... hosted by The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce. Tour the beautiful beach, majestic cliffs and coves of Dana Point. Enjoy pounding surf, rugged cliffs, and cool ocean breezes as you sail through the Dana Point Marina, Doheny State Park and pass the historic tallship Pilgrim moored in Dana Point Harbor.


INFORMATION:
Race Hotline: 949-496-1555

Harvest Festival of Dulcimers
September

The festival will have teaching workshops in beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels for the American fretted dulcimer (also known as the Appalachian or mountain dulcimer) and the hammered dulcimer, as well as worskhops for other folk instruments Including bodhran or Irish drum. Hawaijan slack-key guitar and ukulele. There will also be a workshop on Irish singing.

Location:
Dana Point Harbor Youth and Group Facility
34451 Ensenada Place
Dana Point, CA

INFORMATION:
(562) 861-7049

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Featuring Festivals and Events in Dana Point, California

Please let us know about any upcoming events that you may be aware of. You can send us details by email to sales@orangecounty.net

 

 

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
24681 La Plaza # 115
Dana Point 92629
949-496-1555
 

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