Doheny State Beach is
Dana Point’s main beach and is located south of the harbor. The long stretch of sandy beach is aligned with several volleyball nets, 170 picnic tables, 99 BBQ grills and ample parking for RVs, boats and cars. Bonfires can be enjoyed along the beach in designated fire rings. Fires outside the rings are prohibited. There is a small snack shack (open only on the weekends during the off season). Right next to the snack shack is a rental store, where you can rent everything from beach cruisers to surfboards. Cycling is ideal for this beach because of its lengthy bike path which extends along the beaches coastline and connects to the coast highway.
Small waves frequent Doheny Beach, which make it great for beginning surfers and long boarders. Doheny is primarily a summer break because the Dana Point Harbor acts as a barrier from westerly swells. The Doheny Long board Surfing Association hosts an annual surfing contest with some of
California's finest surfers at the end of September.
According to the locals the best time to visit this beach is during on the Fourth of July. This is the beaches busiest
Day of the year. Locals pack up their picnic baskets and blankets and line up to watch the firework display over the Pacific Ocean.
A special event to watch out for is the Doheny Beach Grunion Run. Every spring and summer the grunion fish make their way back to Southern California Beaches. Just after a full moon, the grunion will run onto the beach to lay their eggs. The eggs will have two weeks to incubate in the sand, before the next high tides, associated with the next full or new moon, uncovers them.
Doheny State Beach has an amazing camp ground. Alcohol consumption is allowed at some camp sites, making this facility favorable for parties and special events. The park offers 121 developed family camp and RV sites and several hiker/biker sites for cycling tourists and hikers. Fees are $14 to $20 per night (cheaper for hiker/biker sites).
At the entrance to the state park there is a Visitors Center with a simulated tide pool, a small aquarium and tons of information on the state park and the marine life along the coast. This is a great place to take the kids for educational seminars about the sea life along their coastline. Next to the visitors center is a small butterfly garden, which helps promote interest in the native butterfly population.
