On Del Prado Avenue (California Route 1A), on the right when traveling west.
The original Dana Point Community Center is pictured with the Woodruff Sales staff and prospective buyers in front. Built for Sidney H. Woodruff, the auditorium was used for his headquarters and for community events and large sales promotions where . . . — — Map (db m189518) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) south of Del Obispo Street, on the right when traveling north.
Best known for his documentary, The Endless Summer, Dana Point resident Bruce Brown was one of surfing's first filmmakers. His work buoyed surfing's image.
Brown understood how to make surf films because he was an avid surfer. When he wasn't . . . — — Map (db m189512) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) west of Doheny Park, on the right when traveling west.
The Most Beautiful Drive in America California's fabled road begins here in Dana Point and winds north along the scenic California coast linking waterside destinations, secluded stretches, and California's biggest cities. The road ends near . . . — — Map (db m183015) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) at Del Obispo Street, on the right when traveling west on Pacific Coast Highway.
Where Richard Henry Dana Jr. threw the hides purchased at the old mission to the beach below to be loaded and shipped to Boston nearly a hundred years ago. — — Map (db m189509) HM
On Street of the Blue Lantern south of Santa Clara Avenue.
Named for Richard Henry Dana, author of "Two Years Before the Mast", who visited here in 1835. El Embarcadero, the cove below, was used by hide vessels trading with Mission San Juan Capistrano. This trade reached its peak in 1830-1840. In 1818 . . . — — Map (db m149479) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) 0.5 miles west of Palisades Drive, on the right when traveling north.
Named for Richard Henry Dana. Described in his book "Two Years Before the Mast" as the most romantic California spot. In the glamorous days of the Ranchos, 1830-1840, Yankee vessels traded supplies for hides here. — — Map (db m188539) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) 0.1 miles south of Crown Valley Parkway, on the right when traveling south.
Named for Richard Henry Dana. Described in his book "Two Years Before the Mast" as the most romantic California spot. In the glamorous days of the Ranchos, 1830-1840, Yankee vessels traded supplies for hides here. — — Map (db m234924) HM
On Dana Point Harbor Drive, 0.1 miles west of Island Way, on the right when traveling west.
This structure was built in 1930 to provide access to a
pocket beach for the Dana Point Inn, intended to be built
above on the bluff's edge. The doorway provided entry for a
165-foot-long tunnel to an elevator, which was to take
guests 135 feet . . . — — Map (db m154101) HM
Near Bluff Top Trail west of Street of the Violet Lantern.
These arches were part of S.H. Wooodruff’s
resort hotel — the Dana Point Inn. The
stock market crash and the Great Depression
halted construction, ending his dream. Part
of the foundation, the hand poured
concrete arches remain as a local . . . — — Map (db m154100) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) west of Doheny Park Road, on the right when traveling west.
"The Only Romantic Spot on the Coast" Dana Point is named after Richard Henry Dana, Jr. a nineteenth century sailor. Dana called this area "the only romantic spot on the coast," words of admiration that would forever link his name with this . . . — — Map (db m183014) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) at Del Obispo Street, on the right when traveling east on Pacific Coast Highway.
Named for Ned Doheny Jr., son of Edward L. Doheny, who donated the land in his memory to the State of California in 1931. In 1936, the Civilian Conservation Corps erected an adobe wall along Pacific Coast Highway. This wall replicates that original . . . — — Map (db m183019) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway at Park Lantern, on the right when traveling east on Pacific Coast Highway.
Doheny State Beach was once known as Doheny Beach State
Park (1931). These pictures depict the early years at Doheny, 1934-1938, when much of the work done in the park was performed by
the Civilian Conservation Corps. or CCC. The CCC enrollees . . . — — Map (db m193592) HM
Near Golden Lantern Street south of Dana Point Drive, on the left when traveling south.
In dedication to Don Hansen and Dana Wharf Sportfishing, the first business operating out of Dana Point Harbor. Dana Wharf Sportfishing originated Whale Watching for Orange County and founded the Dana Point Festival of Whales and Dana Point Boat . . . — — Map (db m60798) HM
This plaza is dedicated in memory of Don Hansen, the founder of Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching - the first business to operate from Dana Point Harbor in 1971.
Don loved the ocean and was dedicated to the conservation of
marine . . . — — Map (db m233230) HM
Near El Camino Capistrano at Street of the Violet Lantern, on the left when traveling west.
The natural cove that became Dana Point Harbor was an anchorage for trading ships in the 1800s. A re-creation of the brig Pilgrim that brought namesake Richard Henry Dana is moored at the west end. — — Map (db m189516) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1), on the right when traveling north.
Raised at the Beach
Hobart Laidlaw Alter grew up on a citrus farm in Ontario, California. Fortunately for water-lovers everywhere, his family owned a house in Laguna Beach where he spent weekends and vacations playing in the waves.
In . . . — — Map (db m189514) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1), on the right when traveling north.
Skimming Across the Water
In the mid 1960s, with his surfboard business booming, Hobie turned to something new. Years earlier he had ridden catamaran in Hawaii. He and his friends even built a few to play with. Hobie remembered the thrill and . . . — — Map (db m189515) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1), on the right when traveling north.
Severson wove art into the surfing culture and influences several emerging surf artists. In 1960 he produced a 36-page booklet called The Surfer to promote his film, Surf Fever. He never expected it to do more than create a buzz for his movie, yet . . . — — Map (db m189511) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1), on the right when traveling north.
Phil Edwards rode waves in the '50s and '60s with a style that surpassed other surfers, turning with finesse and walking the board. His friendship with Hobie Alter and Bruce Brown drew him to Dana Point where he worked in Hobie's shop as he became . . . — — Map (db m189513) HM
In 1835, Dana arrived on board the brig Pilgrim, a tall-masted sailing ship out of Boston, bound for the California coast. For reasons of health, Dana had left his studies at Harvard and at age 19 signed onto the Pilgrim as a common sailor. . . . — — Map (db m188544) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) west of Doheny Park Road, on the right when traveling north.
The Notorious Wave
Back in the day, if you dared, you grabbed your board and headed for Killer Dana. The wave was known as Dana Cove when the weather was calm - but when the surf was over 10 feet, Killer Dana's thick, right-breaking curl . . . — — Map (db m183042) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1), on the right when traveling south.
This 1929 building was built as the telephone office for Sidney H. Woodruff's Dana Point development. The unique street facade still retains many of the original feature including the decorative grilles above the front entry porch topped by the . . . — — Map (db m189517) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) west of Doheny Park Road, on the right when traveling west.
Seminal Surfing Story
Filmed in the early 1960s, the documentary The Endless Summer follows two California as they circle the globe to surf. The pair introduce the sport to many who had never seen it, and discover what is now one of the . . . — — Map (db m183024) HM
On Del Prado Avenue west of Old Golden Lantern, on the right when traveling west.
The Lantern Village area of Dana Point has many sidewalk and curb concrete stamps, along with a few dated concrete lantern bases. The stamps are dated 1928, 1929 or 1930. Developer S. H. Woodruff promised paved streets, curbs and sidewalks and . . . — — Map (db m192075) HM
On Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) west of Doheny Park Road, on the right when traveling north.
Dana Point's Landmark for 43 Years From 1928 until 1971 one feature dominated this stretch of roadway: a giant open-frame tower marked with the neon letters spelling out R-I-C-H-F-I-E-L-D as part of the name of the Richfield Oil and Gas . . . — — Map (db m183017) HM
On Dana Point Harbor Dr., on the right when traveling south.
The residents of Dana Point gratefully recognize Bill Steinriede's many contributions that help improve the quality of our local Dana Point beaches and ocean. Through his concern, dedication and tenacity, Bill was instrumental in energizing Dana . . . — — Map (db m190509) HM
