Dana Point, California

City in California, United States

City in California, United States

Dana Point, California

City

Aerial view of Dana Point

Flag

Seal

Motto:

"Harboring the Good Life"

Location of Dana Point in Orange County, California

Dana Point

Location in the United States

Show map of California

Dana Point

Dana Point (the United States)

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Coordinates: 33°28′2″N 117°41′53″W﻿ / ﻿33.46722°N 117.69806°W﻿ / 33.46722; -117.69806
Country|  United States
State|  California
County|  Orange
Incorporated| January 1, 1989[1]
Named for| Richard Henry Dana Jr.[2]
Government

• Type| Council-Manager[2]
• Mayor| Joe Muller[3]
• Mayor Pro Tem| Mike Frost
• City Council| Richard Viczorek
Jamey Federico
Michael Villar
• City Manager| Mike Killebrew
Area

[4]

• Total

| 29.5 sq mi (76.40 km2)
• Land| 6.49 sq mi (16.80 km2)
• Water| 23.0 sq mi (59.57 km2)  77.96%
Elevation

[5]

| 144 ft (44 m)
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 33,107
• Density| 5,102.81/sq mi (1,970.18/km2)
Time zone| UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Codes|

92624, 92629

Area code| 949
FIPS code| 06-17946
GNIS feature IDs| 1656474, 2410293
Website| www.danapoint.org

California Historical Landmark

Reference no.| 189[6]

Dana Point (/ˌdeɪnə-/) is a city located in southern Orange County, California, United States. The population was 33,107 at the 2020 census. It has one of the few harbors along the Orange County coast; with ready access via State Route 1, it is a popular local destination for surfing.

The city was named after the headland of Dana Point, which was in turn named after Richard Henry Dana Jr., author of Two Years Before the Mast, which included a description of the area. Dana described the locale, including neighboring San Juan Capistrano, as "the only romantic spot on the coast".[7] This area is designated California Historical Landmark #189.[6]

## History

[edit]

### Indigenous

[edit]

The Acjachemen village site of Toovannga was located near the present-day site of Dana Point Harbor. The village was located near the mouth of the San Juan Creek. The people lived in villages of around 250 people and stewarded the land into a thriving ecosystem. Each village was politically independent and established ties with other villages through marriage.[8] The area of Dana Point is located downstream from the mother village of Putuidem.[9]

The arrival of European settlers in the area began with the Portolá expedition (1769–1770). Starting in 1776, people from the village of Ubange, located near Dana Point, were brought to Mission San Juan Capistrano for conversion to Christianity and to be exploited as labor to work the mission's grounds.[10] By 1778, dissatisfaction with the missions led to the formation of a revolt by tribal leader Cinquanto that was preemptively stopped by the Spanish.[11]

### Mexican era

[edit]

Dana Point was a popular port for ships involved with the hide trade with nearby Mission San Juan Capistrano. Trading reached its peak in the 1830s and 1840s. In 1818, Argentine sailor Hippolyte de Bouchard anchored there while conducting his raid on the mission. Richard Henry Dana then visited the area in 1835 while serving aboard the sailing brig Pilgrim on her voyage along the California coastline.[6]

### American era

[edit]

The headlands and pier at Dana Point, ca. 1925, prior to construction of the harbor

In 1923, Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler and General M. H. Sherman, director of the Pacific Electric Railway Company, created a major real estate group to develop the Hollywood Hills. Sidney H. Woodruff, already a prominent Los Angeles homebuilder, was hired to lead the project.

In 1926, Woodruff, Chandler, and Sherman created the Dana Point Syndicate. They invited other investors, company presidents, movie producers, and real estate investors to join them in purchasing 1,388 acres (5.6 km2) of land, some of which includes the "Headlands" of today. Promising tree-lined and paved streets, electricity, telephones, sidewalks, water mains, storm drains, sewers, and other amenities, Woodruff built 35 homes and a number of commercial buildings.

Most of these "Woodruff" houses are concentrated in the Dana Point historic core, also called Lantern Village (currently about 12,000 residents). The streets are named after different colored lanterns—Street of the Violet Lantern, Blue Lantern, etc.—because colored lanterns were used by ships 200 years ago to advertise their fares when in the Dana Point natural harbor.[12][citation needed] His crowning structure was to be the Dana Point Inn, a Mediterranean-like resort hotel on the cliffs overlooking the harbor. After a celebratory groundbreaking in 1930, a three-story foundation was poured and a 135-foot (41 m) shaft was dug for an elevator to transport hotel guests to and from the beach. The economic downturn of the Great Depression caused construction to halt, however. Although Woodruff continuously sought financial support through the years, this project was abandoned in 1939. Subsequently, he sold the remaining holdings of the Dana Point Syndicate. Thirty-four of the original Woodruff residences are still occupied.

### Dana Point Harbor

[edit]

View of Dana Point Harbor with the ship Pilgrim berthed at the Ocean Institute in the foreground

The harbor, built in the 1960s and dedicated on July 31, 1971,[13] is home to a marina, shops, and restaurants, and is a point of departure for the Catalina Express, a transportation service to and from the City of Avalon on Catalina Island. The entire harbor of Dana Point, including the Embarcadero Marina shops and restaurants, is set for complete demolition and redevelopment. The current vintage nautical style is being abandoned for a Tech Minimalist concept using metal roofs as well as Minimalist landscaping.[14]

Although Richard Henry Dana Jr., author of Two Years Before the Mast, described the anchorage as poor, it is now a developed harbor and had a replica of his ship, the Pilgrim. The Pilgrim was used as a classroom by the Ocean Institute until it sank in 2020.[15]

### Strand

[edit]

The Strands at Headlands is a luxury housing development built on land that was originally part of the Chandler Family holdings. For decades the land facing the beach was home to the Dana Strand Beach and Tennis Club,[16] a mobile home community that closed in the late 1980s.[17] For years, access to the Strands beach was limited to hiking down a dirt trail where the mobile homes had stood. The Strands parcel included the actual headlands and bluff of Dana Point as well and was one of the last large coast properties available for development along the Orange County Coast. During the course of a ten-year approval process, the original high-density plan, which included a large multi-story hotel on the bluff top and hundreds of houses and multi-family units, was reduced in scope to just over 100 home sites. As part of negotiations with the California Coastal Commission, the developer agreed to turn the bluff into a nature preserve and build over $11 million worth of public improvements to provide easier access to Strands Beach. The improvements include stairs, restrooms, a beach-front sidewalk and a funicular to transport visitors from the parking lot to the beach.[18] After extensive infrastructure construction, lots were offered for sale in the fall of 2006. Lots in the development are rectangular with modern houses commonly priced above $10,000,000.[19][20] The development has provided much easier access to the beach below and has allowed surfers and other beach visitors to access the beach quickly and easily. Strands Homeowners, through a Mello-Roos assessment, pay for the upkeep of the beach improvements.

The community of Niguel Shores is subject to the eroding bluffs of the Strand.[21]

### Capistrano Beach

[edit]

Main article: Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, California

Surfers during the summer at Doheny State Beach

In 1928, a corporate entity of the American industrial giant Edward Doheny, who had built his fortune in oil production in Southern California and Mexico, purchased a number of lots in Capistrano Beach. Doheny's son, Ned, formed a development company, the Capistrano Beach Company, which included his wife's twin brothers, Clark and Warren Smith, and Luther Eldridge, a contractor, to build a community of Spanish style houses. According to Dana Point historians Baum and Burnes,* Eldridge favored two dominant characteristics in his homes, a typically Spanish roofline and the use of large ceiling beams in the main rooms of the houses. The roofline, covered with red ceramic tiles, incorporated a low-pitched gable, spreading out to one short and one long roof. The ceiling beams were decorated with stenciled artwork painted by artist Alex Meston. Eldridge was able to complete the original Doheny family house on the bluffs, four houses on the beach, and 18 other homes scattered throughout the area before tragedy struck the ambitious project.

Edward Doheny was preparing for his criminal trial for bribery in the Teapot Dome Scandal, and on February 16, 1929, Ned Doheny and Hugh Plunkett, his friend and secretary, who were to testify in the trial, were killed in a murder that still remains unsolved. In 1931, as a memorial to Ned, Petroleum Securities Company, Doheny's family-owned business, made a gift of 41.4 acres (168,000 m2) to the State of California, which is now Doheny State Beach. The unimproved Capistrano Beach properties passed back to Edward Doheny, and, upon his death in 1935, to his wife and heirs. By 1944, all of the properties had been sold to private parties. The Doheny family also funded the building of what was then called St. Edward's Chapel in Capistrano Beach. The chapel soon grew, received canonical status as a parish, and moved to its current bluff-top location in Dana Point, overlooking Doheny State Beach.

In October 2022, the California Coastal Commission approved the Doheny Desalination Plant at Doheny State Beach capable of producing 5 to 15 million gallons of fresh water per day.[22]

### Surfing

[edit]

Richard Henry Dana (the author of "Two Years Before the Mast") considered the high bluffs and sheltered coves of this area of Southern California to be the most beautiful spot on the California coast. Pioneering surfers agreed as they surfed the many beach breaks along the coast. Dana Point had a notable surfing history, and was home to many of the first companies that produced products for surfing. Hobie Alter opened the world's first retail surf shop in Dana Point in 1954. Many surf publications such as the Surfer's Journal and Surfer Magazine were formed and headquartered in Dana Point. Bruce Brown produced the iconic surfer film Endless Summer in Dana Point.

"Killer Dana" was a legendary surf break off Dana Point. The surf break was notorious because it came out of deep water and broke close to the rocks that lined the beach. The Killer Dana wave was destroyed when the Dana Point Harbor was built in 1966.[23] A breakwater now cuts through the heart of the once epic surf spot.[24] In 1997, the surf group The Chantays recorded an instrumental track named "Killer Dana".

## Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.5 square miles (76 km2). 6.5 square miles (17 km2) of it is land and 23.0 square miles (60 km2) of it (77.96%) is water.

The Dana Point headlands are a prominent feature in Orange County geography and after years of controversy,[25] are currently being developed as a 118-house gated community, however 68 acres (280,000 m2) of the site is open to the public and features a nature center and walking trails exhibiting "lost" plants of the Southern California coast. Views on a clear day extend to Catalina Island and La Jolla in San Diego County.

The city is located 59 miles southeast of Los Angeles, and 65 miles northwest of San Diego.[26][27] Dana Point is bordered by San Clemente to the southeast, San Juan Capistrano to the northeast, Laguna Beach to the northwest, and Laguna Niguel to the north.

Dana Point harbor as seen from the end of Blue Lantern Street

### Climate

[edit]

Dana Point enjoys a mild climate with temperatures that tend to average around the 70s. The warmest month of the year is August with an average maximum temperature of 79 °F (26 °C). The coldest month is December with an average maximum temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit.[citation needed] Frost is extremely rare, allowing for a year-round growing season. Annual rainfall (with almost all of it falling between November and March) is about 12 inches but is highly variable from year to year.

Climate data for Dana Point, California

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °F (°C)  | 93
(34)  | 94
(34)  | 96
(36)  | 101
(38)  | 101
(38)  | 107
(42)  | 110
(43)  | 105
(41)  | 116
(47)  | 108
(42)  | 99
(37)  | 93
(34)  | 116
(47)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 66
(19)  | 66
(19)  | 67
(19)  | 69
(21)  | 70
(21)  | 73
(23)  | 76
(24)  | 78
(26)  | 77
(25)  | 75
(24)  | 70
(21)  | 67
(19)  | 71
(22)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 45
(7)  | 46
(8)  | 48
(9)  | 50
(10)  | 55
(13)  | 58
(14)  | 61
(16)  | 62
(17)  | 61
(16)  | 56
(13)  | 49
(9)  | 45
(7)  | 53
(12)
Record low °F (°C)  | 25
(−4)  | 30
(−1)  | 32
(0)  | 33
(1)  | 39
(4)  | 44
(7)  | 48
(9)  | 47
(8)  | 45
(7)  | 38
(3)  | 35
(2)  | 28
(−2)  | 25
(−4)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 2.75
(70)  | 2.81
(71)  | 2.46
(62)  | 0.79
(20)  | 0.24
(6.1)  | 0.10
(2.5)  | 0.03
(0.76)  | 0.12
(3.0)  | 0.32
(8.1)  | 0.40
(10)  | 1.16
(29)  | 1.73
(44)  | 12.93
(328)
Source: [28]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1960| 1,186| | —
1970| 4,745| | 300.1%
1980| 10,602| | 123.4%
1990| 31,896| | 200.8%
2000| 35,110| | 10.1%
2010| 33,351| | −5.0%
2020| 33,107| | −0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[29]
1860–1870[30][31] 1880-1890[32]
1900[33] 1910[34] 1920[35]
1930[36] 1940[37] 1950[38]
1960[39][40] 1970[41] 1980[42]
1990[43] 2000[44] 2010[45]
2020[45]

Dana Point first appeared as an unincorporated community in the 1960 U.S. Census as part of the South Coast census county division.[38] Prior to that, the area was part of unincorporated San Juan Township.[38] The community was redesignated a census designated place in the 1980 U.S. Census[42] and after incorporation, as a city in the 1990 U.S. Census.[43]

### 2020

[edit]

Dana Point city, California – Racial and Ethnic Composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[46] | Pop 2010[47] | Pop 2020[48] | % 2000  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 27,658  | 25,468  | 23,463  | 78.78%  | 76.36%  | 70.87%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 252  | 255  | 268  | 0.72%  | 0.76%  | 0.81%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 123  | 110  | 66  | 0.35%  | 0.33%  | 0.20%
Asian alone (NH)  | 874  | 1,037  | 1,291  | 2.49%  | 3.11%  | 3.90%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 31  | 37  | 30  | 0.09%  | 0.11%  | 0.09%
Other race alone (NH)  | 76  | 63  | 163  | 0.22%  | 0.19%  | 0.49%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)  | 656  | 719  | 1,532  | 1.87%  | 2.16%  | 4.63%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 5,440  | 5,662  | 6,294  | 15.49%  | 16.98%  | 19.01%
Total | 35,110 | 33,351 | 33,107 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00%

The 2020 United States Census reported a population of 33,107. The racial makeup (including Hispanics in the racial counts) was 83.9% White (70.87% white Non-Hispanic), 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, 2.1% African American, and 3.9% Asian.

### 2010

[edit]

The 2010 United States Census[49] reported that Dana Point had a population of 33,351. The population density was 1,131.1 inhabitants per square mile (436.7/km2). The racial makeup of Dana Point was 28,701 (86.1%) White (76.4% Non-Hispanic White),[50] 294 (0.9%) African American, 229 (0.7%) Native American, 1,064 (3.2%) Asian, 37 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 1,952 (5.9%) from other races, and 1,074 (3.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5,662 persons (17.0%).

The Census reported that 33,110 people (99.3% of the population) lived in households, 160 (0.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 81 (0.2%) were institutionalized.

There were 14,182 households, out of which 3,459 (24.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 6,902 (48.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,232 (8.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 645 (4.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 780 (5.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 137 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 4,012 households (28.3%) were made up of individuals, and 1,406 (9.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33. There were 8,779 families (61.9% of all households); the average family size was 2.85.

The population was spread out, with 5,959 people (17.9%) under the age of 18, 2,522 people (7.6%) aged 18 to 24, 8,261 people (24.8%) aged 25 to 44, 10,927 people (32.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 5,682 people (17.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.

There were 15,938 housing units at an average density of 540.6 per square mile (208.7/km2), of which 8,314 (58.6%) were owner-occupied, and 5,868 (41.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.0%. 19,419 people (58.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 13,691 people (41.1%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Dana Point had a median household income of $80,938, with 8.4% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[50]

As of the census of 2000,[51] there were 35,110 people, 14,456 households, and 9,280 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,290.1 inhabitants per square mile (2,042.5/km2). There were 15,682 housing units at an average density of 2,362.8 per square mile (912.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.3% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 2.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.9% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. 15.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,456 households, out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.6% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $63,043, and the median income for a family was $73,373 (these figures had risen to $81,665 and $97,826 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[52]). Males had a median income of $52,159 versus $38,902 for females. The per capita income for the city was $37,938. About 3.4% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

In 2010 Dana Point had a population of 33,351. The median age was 44.8 years. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 76.4% non-Hispanic white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 3.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% non-Hispanic of some other race, 3.2% reporting two or more races and 17.0% Hispanic or Latino. Mexicans made up 13.2% of the population.[53]

## Arts and culture

[edit]

Dana Point has held a Festival of Whales since 1972. This celebration is held over two weekends in March.[54]

The Tall Ships Festival is held in September. It is considered the largest annual gathering of its kind on the West Coast of the United States.[55]

Dana Point has hosted the Dana Point Concours d'Elegance since 2008. The event is located on the Monarch Beach Golf Links and supports various charities.

The Dana Point Grand Prix is an annual criterium bike race overlooking Dana Point Harbor. The course winds its way through downtown Dana Point into Heritage Park and the adjoining residential community with ocean views for participants and spectators before finishing on a long straightaway on PCH.

The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Turkey Trot, which includes a 5K, 10K and Kids’ Gobble Wobble race for ages 5–12, which was voted as a top destination for Thanksgiving by Fodor's Magazine. This event attracts more than 10,000 runners throughout the country and another 5,000 family and friends.

The Dana Point Symphony presents classical music concerts with a 50-piece orchestra and local and international soloists.

### Marine life

[edit]

Dana Point aerial video

One of a few known specimens of the megamouth shark was caught off Dana Point in 1990.[56] Visitors can visit the Ocean Institute at the harbor below the point and the tidal pools located nearby for a close-up view of marine life during low tide. With the kelp beds located just offshore, Dana Point is a popular destination for snorkelers, fisherman, and spearfishers. Juvenile great white sharks sometimes congregate in the area, but are rarely a threat to humans, mostly feeding on fish. The high cliffs at Dana Point are popular for scanning the horizon for whales, dolphins and other marine life.[57]

Dana Point is home to the longest running Festival of Whales in the World that started in 1971.[58]

Dana Point was trademarked as the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World®[59] in 2019 and Dana Point was named a Whale Heritage Site in 2021.[60] Prior to Dana Point's designation, this certification was shared with only three other locations in the world and is defined as an outstanding location where cetaceans (whales and dolphins) are embraced through the cultural, economic, social, and political lives of associated communities, and where people and cetaceans coexist in an authentic and respectful way.

## Government

[edit]

Dana Point is a general law city governed as a council-manager form of government.[61]

The city council has five council members, who are elected by area by registered voters of the city. Council members each serve four-year staggered terms. Dana Point has a two-term-limit for elected officials. Annually, the city council appoints a mayor and a mayor pro tem from its own membership to serve a one-year term. The mayor presides over city council meetings, represents the city council at various business and ceremonial events, and executes all city ordinances, resolutions, and contracts. The mayor pro tem performs these duties in the absence of the mayor. As a legislative body, the city council is responsible for the enactment of local laws (ordinances), the adoption of the annual city budget and capital improvement program, and the review and adoption of proposed policies, agreements, contracts, and other city business items.

The 2021 city council roster is as follows:[3]

* Jamey Federico, Mayor
* Joseph L. Muller, Mayor Pro Tem
* Richard A. Viczorek, Council Member
* Mike Frost, Council Member
* Michael Villar, Council Member

### State and federal representation

[edit]

In the California State Legislature, Dana Point is in the 36th Senate District, seat currently vacant, and in the 74th Assembly District, represented by Republican Laurie Davies.[62]

In the United States House of Representatives, Dana Point is in California's 49th congressional district, represented by Democrat Mike Levin.[63]

### Politics

[edit]

Since its incorporation as a city, Dana Point has voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential and gubernatorial election as of 2020. According to the California Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2019, Dana Point has 21,844 registered voters. Of those, 9,308 (42.61%) are registered Republicans, 5,758 (26.36%) are registered Democrats, and 5,681 (26.01%) have declined to state a political party/are independents.[64]

Dana Point city vote
by party in presidential elections  Year  | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties

|
|
|

2020[65] | 47.35% 10,102 | 50.70% 10,816 | 1.95% 415
2016[66] | 42.64% 7,507 | 50.90% 8,960 | 6.46% 1,137
2012[67] | 39.82% 6,917 | 57.74% 10,029 | 2.44% 424
2008[68] | 46.41% 8,223 | 51.32% 9,094 | 2.27% 403
2004[69] | 38.79% 6,841 | 59.98% 10,579 | 1.23% 217
2000[70] | 36.97% 5,999 | 58.71% 9,526 | 4.32% 701
1996[71] | 33.88% 4,917 | 54.16% 7,861 | 11.96% 1,736
1992[72] | 30.65% 5,058 | 41.22% 6,802 | 28.13% 4,642
Dana Point city vote
by party in gubernatorial elections  Year  | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties

|
|
|

2022[73] | 43.20% 6,619 | 56.80% 8,703
2018[74] | 43.03% 7,033 | 56.97% 9,312
2014[75] | 39.78% 4,031 | 60.22% 6,102
2010[76] | 33.98% 4,808 | 60.46% 8,555 | 5.56% 787
2006[77] | 21.48% 2,594 | 73.67% 8,898 | 4.85% 586
2003[78] | 15.18% 1,999 | 81.82% 10,777 | 3.00% 395
2002[79] | 30.65% 3,386 | 61.47% 6,791 | 7.88% 871
1998[80] | 42.48% 5,166 | 54.80% 6,664 | 2.72% 331
1994[81] | 26.55% 3,514 | 69.20% 9,159 | 4.25% 563
1990[82] | 32.37% 3,536 | 62.86% 6,867 | 4.77% 521

NOTE: The totals listed for the 2003 governor's special election are the aggregate totals for all Republican candidates, all Democratic candidates, and all Independent candidates. Individually, Arnold Schwarzenegger received 8,862 votes, Cruz Bustamante received 1,907 votes, Tom McClintock received 1,838 votes, and Peter Uberroth received 50 votes.

## Education

[edit]

The city is served by Capistrano Unified School District. It includes Dana Hills High School, one of the oldest high schools in the area, which opened in 1972. The cross country program at Dana Hills High School won California state titles in 1988, 2007, 2008, and 2009.

## Emergency services

[edit]

Fire protection in Dana Point is provided by the Orange County Fire Authority with ambulance service by Doctor's Ambulance. Law enforcement is provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Year-round marine safety services are provided by US Ocean Safety, d.b.a. OC Lifeguards, on the county beaches, and California state lifeguards on the state beaches.

## Media

[edit]

Dana Point is served by two newspapers, the Dana Point News (owned by the Orange County Register) and the Dana Point Times. Both papers run once weekly.

The Laguna Niguel-Dana Point Patch is an online-only news website that also serves Dana Point along with its neighbor, Laguna Niguel.

## Notable people

[edit]

Main category: People from Dana Point, California

* Eric Allaman – American composer
* Josh Allen – American football player (born 1996)[83]
* Bill Brough – American politician
* Dana Brown (filmmaker) – American surfer and filmmaker
* Melinda Clarke – American actress[84]
* Hans Crouse – American baseball player (born 1998)[85]
* Sam Darnold – American football player (born 1997)[86]
* Daryl Gates – American police chief (1926–2010)[87]
* Chase Strumpf – American baseball player[88]
* Bernadette Withers – American actress (1946–2019)[89]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on November 3, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
2. ^ a b "About Us". City of Dana Point. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
3. ^ a b "Dana Point City Council".
4. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
5. ^ "Dana Point". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
6. ^ a b c "Dana Point". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
7. ^ Dana Jr., Richard Henry (1912). Two Years Before the Mast. D. Appleton. p. 147. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
8. ^ "Cultural Resources Survey for the Ganahl Lumber Project". San Juan Capistrano. October 2017.
9. ^ Carver, Larrynn (2002). Draft Historic District Archaeological Augur Testing, Crystal Cove State Park, Orange County, California. Department of Parks and Recreation.
10. ^ Handbook of American Indians north of Mexico. Volume III, N to S. Frederick Webb Hodge. Scituate, MA: Digital Scanning. 2003. pp. 445–446\. ISBN 978-1-58218-755-6. OCLC 647873186.445-446&rft.pub=Digital+Scanning&rft.date=2003&rft_id=info:oclcnum/647873186&rft.isbn=978-1-58218-755-6&rft_id=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/647873186&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Dana+Point,+California" class="Z3988">`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: others (link)
11. ^ Orfalea, Gregory (2014). Journey to the sun : Junípero Serra's dream and the founding of California. New York. p. 277\. ISBN 978-1-4516-4272-8. OCLC 862962201.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
12. ^ "A Legacy of Lanterns". Dana Point Times. July 25, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
13. ^ Connelly, Laylan (February 22, 2015). "Dana Point Harbor: The Bay That Never Sleeps". Orange County Register. p. News 1, 6–7.
14. ^ Dana Point Harbor official website. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
15. ^ "Tall ship that sank in Dana Point is unrecoverable, will be demolished". Los Angeles Times. April 7, 2020.
16. ^ "Niguel Shores Newsletter" (PDF).
17. ^ WILLON, PHIL (May 20, 2002). "Paradise Found in a Trailer Park". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
18. ^ Ritchie, Erika I. (January 27, 2016). "New cliffside cable car to Dana Point's Strand Beach debuts". Orange County Register. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
19. ^ "35 Shoreline Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629 (MLS# OC15091574) - Dana Point CA Real Estate - CaliforniaMoves.com". May 18, 2015. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015.
20. ^ "The Strand at Headlands | Dana Point Real Estate". www.danapointrealestate.com. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
21. ^ Wisckol, Martin (January 17, 2021). "Dana Point landslide drama likely to be replayed elsewhere along California coast". Orange County Register. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
22. ^ "California Coastal Commission approves desalination plant in Dana Point". ABC7 Los Angeles. City News Service. October 14, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
23. ^ "Killer Dana History | SURFLINE.COM". www.surfline.com.
24. ^ What happened to Killer Dana on YouTube
25. ^ http://www.surfingthemag.com/news/surfing-pulse/strands-061305-dana-point/ surfingthemag.com Archived February 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
26. ^ "Los Angeles to Dana Point".
27. ^ "San Diego to Dana Point".
28. ^ "Zipcode 92629". www.plantmaps.com. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
29. ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
30. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
31. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
32. ^ "1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
33. ^ "1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
34. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
35. ^ "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
36. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
37. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
38. ^ a b c "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
39. ^ "1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
40. ^ "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
41. ^ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
42. ^ a b "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
43. ^ a b "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
44. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
45. ^ a b "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
46. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Dana Point city, California". United States Census Bureau.
47. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dana Point city, California". United States Census Bureau.
48. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dana Point city, California". United States Census Bureau.
49. ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Dana Point city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
50. ^ a b "Dana Point (city), California". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012.
51. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
52. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
53. ^ Census General Population and Housing Characteristics report for Dana Point, 2010
54. ^ Daines, Chris (March 3, 2009). "Festival of Whales coasts into Dana Point". Orange County Register. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
55. ^ "Tall Ships Festival". Orange County Register. September 5, 2008. pp. Show 1.
56. ^ CONE, MARLA (October 22, 1990). "Rare Shark Is Captured Alive Off Dana Point". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
57. ^ "Dana Point is 'Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World': It's even trademarked". Orange County Register. July 22, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
58. ^ "Dana Point Festival of Whales | Events and Information". Dana Point Festival of Whales. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
59. ^ "Dana Point is 'Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World': It's even trademarked". Orange County Register. July 22, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
60. ^ Aspegren, Elinor. "Dana Point, California, where marine mammals 'live in harmony with people,' earns distinction as first Whale Heritage Site in US". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
61. ^ "City Government". City of Dana Point. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
62. ^ "California Districts". UC Regents. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
63. ^ "California's 49th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
64. ^ "CA Secretary of State – Report of Registration – February 10, 2019" (PDF). ca.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
65. ^ "Current Election Results | OC Vote". www.ocvote.com.
66. ^ "certified statement of the votes cast at the Presidential Election November 8, 2016" (PDF). Retrieved March 18, 2020.
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73. ^ "Data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
74. ^ "Data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
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83. ^ Barrera, Sandra (July 10, 2023). "Superstar NFL QB Josh Allen pays $7.2 million for Dana Point house". Orange County Register. Southern California News Group. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
84. ^ Gliatto, Tom; Stockton Rhone, Paysha (November 20, 2006). "Picks and Pans Review: Spotlight on the 'O.C.' 's Melinda Clarke". People. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
85. ^ Fryer, Steve (June 16, 2017). "Dana Hills' Hans Crouse is the Register's 2017 pitcher of the yea". Orange County Register. Southern California News Group. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
86. ^ Cavanagh, Zach (April 8, 2021). "Capo Beach Native Sam Darnold Traded to Carolina Panthers". Dana Point Times. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
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Specific

* Stillman, Deanne (January 17, 1999). "Sunshine States – Legends of the Surf at Dana Point". The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2007.

## External links

[edit]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Dana Point.

* Official website
* Guide to the Dana Point Syndicate Records of S. H. Woodruff Special Collections and Archives, The U C Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California.

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Dana Point, California

| Laguna Beach | Laguna Niguel | San Juan Capistrano

|
|

|  |
Pacific Ocean
Santa Catalina Island |

Dana Point

| Santa Ana Mountains & Cleveland National Forest
|  |
Pacific Ocean | Pacific Ocean | San Clemente

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Orange County, California, United States

County seat: Santa Ana

Cities|

* Aliso Viejo
* Anaheim
* Brea
* Buena Park
* Costa Mesa
* Cypress
* Dana Point
* Fountain Valley
* Fullerton
* Garden Grove
* Huntington Beach
* Irvine
* La Habra
* La Palma
* Laguna Beach
* Laguna Hills
* Laguna Niguel
* Laguna Woods
* Lake Forest
* Los Alamitos
* Mission Viejo
* Newport Beach
* Orange
* Placentia
* Rancho Santa Margarita
* San Clemente
* San Juan Capistrano
* Santa Ana
* Seal Beach
* Stanton
* Tustin
* Villa Park
* Westminster
* Yorba Linda

Orange County map

CDPs|

* Coto de Caza
* El Modena
* Ladera Ranch
* Las Flores
* Midway City
* Modjeska
* North Tustin
* Orange Park Acres
* Rancho Mission Viejo
* Rossmoor
* Silverado
* Trabuco Canyon
* Williams Canyon

Unincorporated
communities|

* Anaheim Island
* Emerald Bay
* Olive
* Santiago Canyon

Ghost town|

* Carbondale
* Miraflores

* California portal
* United States portal

* v
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* e

Greater Los Angeles Area

Counties|

* Los Angeles
* Orange
* Riverside
* San Bernardino
* Ventura

Cities
and
towns|

| Central city|

* Los Angeles

|

200k–500k|

* Anaheim
* Fontana
* Irvine
* Long Beach
* Moreno Valley
* Oxnard
* Riverside
* San Bernardino
* Santa Ana
* Santa Clarita

100k−200k|

* Burbank
* Corona
* Costa Mesa
* Downey
* El Monte
* Fullerton
* Garden Grove
* Glendale
* Huntington Beach
* Inglewood
* Jurupa Valley
* Lancaster
* Murrieta
* Menifee
* Norwalk
* Ontario
* Orange
* Palmdale
* Pasadena
* Pomona
* Rancho Cucamonga
* Rialto
* Simi Valley
* Temecula
* Thousand Oaks
* Torrance
* Ventura
* Victorville
* West Covina

50k–100k|

* Alhambra
* Aliso Viejo
* Apple Valley
* Arcadia
* Azusa
* Baldwin Park
* Beaumont
* Bellflower
* Buena Park
* Camarillo
* Carson
* Cathedral City
* Chino
* Chino Hills
* Colton
* Compton
* Covina
* Cypress
* Diamond Bar
* Eastvale
* Fountain Valley
* Gardena
* Glendora
* Hacienda Heights
* Hawthorne
* Hemet
* Hesperia
* Highland
* Indio
* La Habra
* Laguna Niguel
* Lake Elsinore
* Lake Forest
* Lakewood
* Lynwood
* Mission Viejo
* Monrovia
* Montebello
* Monterey Park
* Newport Beach
* Palm Desert
* Paramount
* Perris
* Pico Rivera
* Placentia
* Redlands
* Redondo Beach
* Rosemead
* San Clemente
* San Jacinto
* Santa Monica
* South Gate
* Tustin
* Upland
* Westminster
* Whittier
* Yorba Linda
* Yucaipa

25k–50k|

* Adelanto
* Banning
* Barstow
* Bell
* Bell Gardens
* Beverly Hills
* Brea
* Cerritos
* Claremont
* Coachella
* Culver City
* Dana Point
* Desert Hot Springs
* La Mirada
* La Puente
* La Quinta
* La Verne
* Laguna Hills
* Lawndale
* Manhattan Beach
* Maywood
* Monrovia
* Montclair
* Moorpark
* Norco
* Palm Springs
* Rancho Palos Verdes
* Rancho Santa Margarita
* San Dimas
* San Gabriel
* San Juan Capistrano
* Santa Paula
* Seal Beach
* South Pasadena
* Stanton
* Temple City
* Twentynine Palms
* Walnut
* West Hollywood
* Wildomar

10k–25k|

* Agoura Hills
* Artesia
* Blythe
* Calabasas
* Calimesa
* Canyon Lake
* Commerce
* Cudahy
* Duarte
* El Segundo
* Fillmore
* Grand Terrace
* Hawaiian Gardens
* Hermosa Beach
* La Cañada Flintridge
* La Palma
* Laguna Beach
* Laguna Woods
* Loma Linda
* Lomita
* Los Alamitos
* Malibu
* Palos Verdes Estates
* Port Hueneme
* Rancho Mirage
* San Fernando
* San Marino
* Santa Fe Springs
* Sierra Madre
* Signal Hill
* South El Monte
* Yucca Valley

Under 10k|

* Avalon
* Big Bear Lake
* Bradbury
* City of Industry
* Hidden Hills
* Indian Wells
* Irwindale
* La Habra Heights
* Needles
* Ojai
* Rolling Hills
* Rolling Hills Estates
* Vernon
* Villa Park
* Westlake Village

CDPs
over 25k|

* Altadena
* East Los Angeles
* Florence-Graham
* French Valley
* Hacienda Heights
* Ladera Ranch
* North Tustin
* Rowland Heights
* South Whittier
* Temescal Valley
* West Whittier-Los Nietos
* Westmont

Area
regions|

* Anaheim–Santa Ana edge city
* Antelope Valley
* Central Los Angeles
* Coachella Valley
* Colorado Desert
* Conejo Valley
* Downtown Los Angeles
* East Los Angeles
* Gateway Cities
* Greater Hollywood
* Greater Los Angeles
* Harbor Area
* Inland Empire
* Mojave Desert
* Northeast Los Angeles
* Northwest Los Angeles
* Orange Coast
* Palos Verdes Peninsula
* Pomona Valley
* Saddleback Valley
* San Bernardino Valley
* San Fernando Valley
* San Gabriel Valley
* Santa Ana Valley
* Santa Clarita Valley
* Simi Valley
* South Bay
* South Coast Metro
* South Los Angeles
* Victor Valley
* Westside Los Angeles

Landforms|

* Baldwin Hills (range)
* Channel Islands
* Chino Hills
* Hollywood Hills
* Los Angeles Basin
* Oxnard Plain
* Palos Verdes Hills
* Puente Hills
* San Fernando Valley
* San Gabriel Mountains
* San Gabriel Valley
* San Jacinto Mountains
* Santa Ana Mountains
* Santa Catalina Island
* Santa Monica Mountains
* Santa Susana Mountains
* Sierra Pelona Ridge
* Simi Hills
* Verdugo Mountains

Bodies of
water|

* Aliso Creek
* Arroyo Calabasas
* Arroyo Seco
* Ballona Creek
* Bell Creek
* Big Bear Lake
* Coyote Creek
* Lake Arrowhead
* Lake Gregory
* Lake Perris
* Lake Piru
* Los Angeles Aqueduct
* Los Angeles River
* Malibu Creek
* Mojave River
* Pacific Ocean
* Pyramid Lake
* Rio Hondo
* San Gabriel River
* San Juan Creek
* San Pedro Bay
* Santa Ana River
* Santa Clara River
* Santa Margarita River
* Santa Monica Bay
* Tujunga Wash

Portal:

* Greater Los Angeles

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Czech Republic
* Israel

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

Other|

* IdRef

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template