District 11 South, Division 2,
Flotilla 9
Lat: N33° 27.26' Lon: W117° 41.49'
Click image below for enlarged view with details
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Dana Point Harbor is located on the Southern California coast, mid-way between San Diego and Los Angeles.
The area, once known as Capistrano Bay to early Californians, was a primary anchorage for ships trading hides with the mission at San Juan Capistrano and the local ranchos. The harbor is in fact named after Richard Henry Dana who sailed aboard the brig Pilgrim as an ordinary seaman during the 1830's trading with the local Indians and Spanish missions.
On his return to Boston, Dana resumed his law studies, wrote the book "Two Years Before the Mast" describing the life of ordinary seamen, and was later instrumental in changing laws regarding the treatment of ordinary seamen aboard American merchant ships. Dana describes the area as "the only romantic spot in California," and local residents and boaters agree!
For more on the history of Dana Point, please click
HERE.Today, Dana Point Harbor offers all the amenities a modern boater could ask for: Quick access to open water (5-10 minutes from any point in the harbor), guest slips, anchorages, entertainment, restaurants that run the gamut from hot dog stand to fine dining, shipyard facilities, dry storage, camping at the adjacent Doheny State Park, and more. For the locations of various amenities, please click the image above.
Boater Information
Dana Point Harbormaster (Orange County Sheriff): 949-248-2222
Speed Limitations - The entire harbor is a 5mph/no-wake zone.
Trailered vessels may be launched at the Embarcadero Marina. The entrance is automated, but there is usually an attendant on weekends. Vessels less than 10' wide - $10. Vessels over 10' wide must access the launch ramp via the back gate.
Guest Slips - There are 42
guest slips available for rent in the west basin. Guest slips may be
reserved up to six months in advance with Visa or Master Card from the Dana
Point Marina Company. The Harbor Patrol no longer handles guest slips.
Current registration/documentation, proof of insurance, and a picture ID are
required. Showers and laundry machines are available at the head of the
guest docks.
Rates are $1.00 per
foot per day and slips accommodate boats up to 43 feet. Renters may stay for up
to thirty (30) days between Memorial Day and Labor Day and up to ninety (90)
days off-season with renewals dependant upon vacancy. Click
HERE for additional information.
Telephone: (949) 496-6137. E-mail: guestslips@danapointmarina.com.
Just visiting for a couple of hours? -
For those that are just stopping in for a couple of hours, there is a two-hour guest dock with limited space located at the Jolly Roger Restaurant for those patronizing the shops and restaurants. Care must be exercised to ensure that you do not tie up in such a fashion as to interfere with the Catalina ferry boat that also uses this dock. Their reserved spot is well marked by signs. Dinghies should take care to tie up on the inshore side of the dock to leave room for larger vessels on the outside.Pump Out stations - There are two pump out stations. One is located on the Harbor Patrol guest dock, and the other is located at the channel end of the Guest Slips near the Dana Point Youth and Group Facility, directly across from the Dana Point Yacht Club.
Anchorages - There are two anchorage areas inside the harbor. The west basin anchorage is located in the vicinity of the Ocean Institute and the two Tall Ships. The east basin anchorage is located along the jetty in the vicinity of the bait barge and fuel dock. An additional anchorage lies inshore and just outside the harbor entrance. This area is fairly well protected in normal conditions; however, caution should be exercised that anchored vessels do not risk swinging into submerged or semi-submerged rocks.
Fuel Dock - The fuel dock is located in the east basin and is visible looking to starboard as you enter the harbor.
Bait Barge - The bait barge is also located in the east basin and is visible looking to starboard as you enter the harbor.
Shore Boats - There is NO shore boat service at Dana Point Harbor.
Navigation Hazards - The entrance to the harbor is well protected from the prevailing seas. There are numerous submerged reefs and rocks within 1/2 mile of shore both north (actually west) and south (actually east) of the harbor. Some are only visible at low tide.
In season, numerous lobster pots can be found near the harbor entrance and extending both up coast and down coast within 1 mile of the shoreline.
Rental vessels are identified by their orange and white sails. It is not uncommon to find them outside the harbor near the harbor entrance.
Lodging and Camping - Several fine hotels are in the vicinity of the harbor, including one on the waterfront. There is also a campground located at Doheny State Beach, right next to the harbor. It is a fairly easy walk to the park from the embarcadero, but significantly longer (especially if you are carrying camping gear) from the guest slips.
Dining - Numerous restaurants are available at the Embarcadero shops at the east end of the harbor near the launch ramp, and near the Harbormaster's office and the bluffs overlooking the harbor. Fast food restaurants are also available a short walking distance into town at the corner of Dana Point Harbor Drive and Pacific Coast Highway.