Surf's Up: Your Guide to the Best Waves in Dana Point
Dana Point boasts a rich and storied history for surfers seeking thrilling waves and stunning ocean views of all skill levels. Let’s dive into a little history and then we’ll map out a few spots to catch some waves.
Some fun quick facts…
Dana Point has always been a popular spots for surfers. In 1954 Hobart “Hobie” Alter and Grubby Clark opened their very first Hobie surf shop here in Dana Point. Years before other big name brands came on the scene, Hobie changed the surfing game with its surf shop and innovative polyurethane foam-based boards. The current Dana Point store location stands two blocks from the original and their boards continue Hobie’s standard of “genius of invention, experimentation, follow-through and inspired performance.”
Later, in 1966, local film maker Bruce Brown put Dana Point on the map with his documentary The Endless Summer. Did you know? The iconic original movie poster was staged here on Salt Creek Beach. This past April, the Dana Point Film Festival hosted a screening of this classic film out on the grass at Salt Creek to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
And who can forget Killer Dana? This wave broke at the Dana Point Cove and got its name due to the deep water swells that would crash near and on the dangerous rocks below the cliffs. The surfing crew included many of California’s earliest surfers including Peanuts Larsen, Whitney Harrison, Phil Edwards, Flippy Hoffman, Del Cannon and more. Killer Dana is no longer, due to the harbor development, but its name and legacy live on, including in one of our favorite local surf stores, aptly named “Killer Dana.”
With its consistent swells, diverse surf breaks, and year-round favorable weather, Dana Point offers an ideal playground for surf enthusiasts. Here, we’ll explore some of the best surf spots in Dana Point, making it easier for you to plan your next adventure in this surfer’s paradise.
Doheny Beach
Located in Dana Point, Doheny Beach or Doho, offers great surfing at its northern end. Doheny is the prime spot for beginner surfers or for those who are looking to catch a less powerful and welcoming wave. This surf spot is best for longboarding and promises to give some of the longest rides in Orange County. Being a state beach, Doheny offers a large park, bathrooms, water fountains, picnic areas, volleyball courts, and showers. Fun fact: This beach has historical standing in California for becoming the state’s first state beach in 1963 after years of being a state park.
Strands
A beautiful and picturesque beach, Strands will make you work for it a little bit with a lonnnggg set of stairs to get down the beach. But, trust us, it’s worth it. With views up the cliffs to the headlands, the scenery can’t be beat. Strands often has sizeable surf and its pristine water conditions make for the perfect day out in the water. Parking is above the beach in the parking lot with the aforementioned steps, but it’s free so you’ve got that going for you.
Salt Creek
If you prefer something a little more intense, Salt Creek may be the beach for you. Salt Creek is fairly consistent and offers a range of wave formations catering to different skill levels. Its three breaks include The Point, Middles, and Gravels. You can easily spend the day fulfilling your Endless Summer fantasy and then hitting up Young’s Beach Shack for some delicious grub after your surf set. This beach also includes a grassy hill for picnics, and includes basketball courts, restrooms and more.
Capo
Capo Beach tends to have narrow stretches of sand, but it’s still a great spot for surfers who want to get in a session with a mix of mellow and more powerful waves depending on the day. This beach faces southwest, which allows it to receive swells generated by both southern hemisphere storms during the summer and northern hemisphere storms during the winter. Capo Beach is the easiest beach to navigate to the water. Just pull up to any one of the paid parking spaces and it’s literally only steps from shore to surf.
