Dana Point – Whale of an Inspiration

 

Home of Iconic Doheny Beach

 

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

Southern California's Dana Point has been inspiring writers, sailors and surfers since acclaimed author Richard Henry Dana wrote about the port in his 1840 adventure novel Two Years Before the Mast.

 

Dana, a merchant seaman, described the picturesque locale as "the only romantic spot on the coast."

 

SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti stopped by Dana’s statue, which overlooks the harbor, beckoning visitors to explore this treasure of a town where the streets are named after different colored lanterns – golden, violet, blue, etc. – 

 like the ones ships used 200 years ago to advertise their wares.

 

Dana Point, which calls itself the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World, was recently designated the first Whale Heritage Site in North America by the World Cetacean Alliance. 

 

In the nearby Waterman's Plaza, you can see statues of local surf legends, including Hobie Cat inventor Hobie Alter and Endless Summer filmmaker Bruce Brown.

 

While just across the street is the iconic surf spot Doheny Beach – one of the top spots on SoCal surfing bucket lists for surfers around the world.

 

With one of the best surf breaks in California and over 62 acres of beach, tidepools, nature exploration areas, and campgrounds, it's hard to beat.

 

Celebrated in vintage surf rock songs Surfin' Safari and Surfin' USA, Doheny Beach draws a million surfers a year to challenge the waves.

Set in a place where locals say surfing is in the DNA, Doheny Beach is part of an authentic beach town devoted to everything related to the ocean.  

 

With Dana Point’s high bluffs and sheltered coves, it's no wonder Richard Henry Dana was inspired when his ship the Pilgrim put into this tranquil port that would later bear his name.

 SurfWriter Girls

 Surf’n Beach Scene Magazine

Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.