From the category archives:

Dana Point/Capo Beach

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 the [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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Pines Park: Hear the Ocean, See the Sunset

August 24, 2009

Pines Park in 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.
Location: From [...]

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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 [...]

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Capistrano Beach Park: Ocean-Side Train Watching and Sand Play

July 3, 2009

Capistrano Beach Park is one of my favorite Orange County beaches – not for swimming – but just to pull into the parking lot, pile out, and be in the sand right away. It’s often foggy in the morning, like the slideshow photos. It neighbors Doheny Beach and boasts brilliant sunset views. You’ll be [...]

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Thunderbird Park in Dana Point

March 19, 2009

Thunderbird Park is tucked into a neighborhood near Dana Hills High School off Stonehill Drive. I like this park for its cool ocean breeze, solitude, nice view towards Dana Point. Kids can adventure from playground, through an opening in the chain link fence, down to the lower field.
Location: Take Camino Capistrano and turn [...]

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Dana Crest Park: Simply a Dream for Multiple Kids

March 12, 2009

Dana Crest Park is in a quiet neighborhood with plenty of areas to wander. My sister recently brought four kids under the age of 5 to this park and had no trouble watching them all. The kids seem to the love the little make-believe houses most of all. I like the little wooden play structure [...]

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Lantern Bay Park: Harbor Lights and Sunset Barbecues

August 11, 2008

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.
Location: Located off Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) near Dana Point Harbor. Del Obispo turns into Dana Point Harbor Drive when it crosses [...]