From the category archives:

Dana Point/Capo Beach

Lantern Bay Park: Harbor Lights and Sunset Barbecues

August 21, 2010

Lantern Bay Park, located on a bluff overlooking Dana Point Harbor and the coast, is a favorite for its sea breezes and proximity to the beach. Perfect for family barbecues and larger gatherings, too. It’s located across from the Laguna Cliffs Marriott with its distinctive red roof. There’s a long staircase leading from the harbor [...]

1 comment Find out more →

Strands Beach and Strands Vista Park in Dana Point: Walk the Loop or Play in the Sand

July 27, 2010

Strands Beach in Dana Point goes by many names. I’ve heard it called: The Strand, Salt Creek Beach Park, and Strand Vista Park. I call it “pure bliss.” It’s just a beautiful spot beneath the Dana Point Headlands. If you can imagine the coastline here, it’s squeezed in the small cove between the point of [...]

1 comment Find out more →

Dana Point Headlands Nature Interpretive Center: Easy Hike and Ocean View

July 25, 2010

Dana Point Headlands Nature Interpretive Center Thumbnail

The City of Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center opened in April 2010. It’s open 10-4 everyday (except closed on Mondays). I’m one of those who is very sad to see the Dana Point headlands disappear to development. However, the part that is still protected as open space provides a scenic glimpse of the beauty which [...]

0 comments Find out more →

Salt Creek Trail: It’s All Downhill from Here

June 7, 2010

Salt Creek Trail is one of my favorite walks with the kids. I’ve done it with them in a stroller and this time they were old enough to walk on their own. The ocean breeze, and sometimes fog, make for a cool excursion when temperatures heat up inland. Trail Head Location: We parked on Camino [...]

3 comments Find out more →

Campfire Tales: Changing My Mind

March 6, 2010

My mom always says “It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind.” And I do, often. Just ask my husband. What if changing your mind is more than just a fleeting thought? More than just choosing spaghetti over a hamburger for dinner. What if you actually change the way you think about the world? Change [...]

4 comments Find out more →

Heritage Park above Dana Point Harbor

September 24, 2009

Heritage Park in Dana Point sits atop a bluff over Dana Point Harbor. Lantern Bay Park is on one side near the Marriott. If you cross Golden Lantern, Heritage Park is reachable by parking at the harbor below or the street above. Location: To park at the top of the hill, take Del Prado from [...]

1 comment Find out more →

Creekside Park in Dana Point

September 12, 2009

Creekside Park in Dana Point sits right off of Stonehill Drive near Interstate 5. It’s super easy for freeway access and very near Dana Point Harbor. I always describe this park as the one with the climbing wall – since it’s such a massive and distinctive feature. This is one of those parks which feels [...]

3 comments Find out more →

Pines Park: Hear the Ocean, See the Sunset

August 24, 2009

Pines Park in Dana Point/Capo Beach, sitting on the bluff directly above Capistrano Beach Park, is the perfect play place for those weekends when it’s hot inland. We originally posted this park in September 2008, but revisited this weekend to take photos for the new slideshow (August 2009). I ended up revising the whole listing. [...]

2 comments Find out more →

Sunset Park: Where Moms Get to Talk While Kids Play

July 20, 2009

Sunset Park is a quiet neighborhood park with excellent opportunities for family playtime. The City of Dana Point completed improvements to the park in February 2008 — making it one of the more modern and safer play areas in Orange County. Expect beach weather with marine layer or fog in the mornings, clearing to bright [...]

0 comments Find out more →

← Previous Entries