>> Back to Dana Point Marine Reserve -- Dana Point Marine Reserve: Hiking Trail Guide
1.5 miles
0 feet gain
1/10
Dana Point ,CA (92629) 46.66 miles from you Weather Map
From the north: Take Pacific Coast Highway south from Newport Beach to Dana Point. At Green Lantern Street (no stop light), turn right. Turn left on Cove Road.
From the south: Take Pacific Coast Highway north from Interstate 5 just north of San Clemente. Turn left on Blue Lantern Street, right on Santa Clara, and left on Cove Road.
Park in the lot at the base of the hill.
The trail begins at the Pilgrim, a reproduction of the ship that Dana sailed on to California from Boston. Next to the ship is a monument of two men in the ship's rigging and a quote from Dana describing how nauseous he became while working the job for the first time.
Proceed along the concrete waterfront walk around the back of the Ocean Institute. The rough part of the trail begins at the concrete stairway enclosed in the green cage. If water covers the bottom of the stairs, come back on another day. Do not attempt to round the Point except at extreme minus tides
History lovers cherish Dana Point for two reasons: first, it is the site where vacqueros from Mission San Juan Capistrano threw hides over the cliffs in Two Years Before the Mast; second, the creation of the marina breakwater ignited a movement to save the last wild stretches of the California Coast.
The trail follows the only natural stretch of shore that developers left. The boulders that look like poorly made concrete are conglomerate. You will also find "wishing rocks" -- black stones with calcite stripes running through them. The cliffs mark an ancient river mouth.
Check tide tables for extreme minus tides: November through March are the best months. Watch the waves and the cliffs. Leave sea life, rocks, & shells.