Dana Point
 

Seven long golden miles of sand and sea, coastal bluffs and rolling hills along the Pacific Ocean, Dana Point is the place to be.  Some of the most gorgeous homes on the West Coast and weather to match, youll never want to leave town. Orange garibaldi flash like lightning in the kelp beds off Dana Point Harbor, fragrant eucalyptus trees line scenic stretches of famous Highway 1, and yellow jacaranda trees brighten a downtown shopping district built on topsy-turvy streets named for colored lanterns. The town I call home is the kind of place most people only dream of vacationing.  Its no wonder our town attracts boaters, surfers and sun worshippers of all ages. 

The founder of Dana Point, Richard Henry Dana, is often misquoted as having said the beach cove that now bears his name is the most romantic spot in California. What the Boston scholar who sailed around Cape Horn up the western coast really said was that Dana Point is the only romantic spot in California.  An East Coast cynic, he was the first to publicly mock our state's lack of seasons in his 1840s classic, "Two Years Before the Mast." But when he sat at the foot of the Headlands, watching the velvet blue water pound white against the rocks, Dana was overpowered by the beauty. "My better nature returned strong upon me," wrote Dana, who had taken time off from his studies to sail aboard the brig, Pilgrim.  "I experienced a glow of pleasure at finding what poetry and romance I ever had in me." This is the same charm and majesty of Dana Point today, its what drew me here, and keeps me here.

The "Headlands" promontory is truly one of the most captivating spots in Dana Point.  It overlooks the Dana Point Harbor, one of the most significant man-made alterations of the Orange County coastline.  The harbor is an amazing spot for swimming, jetskiing, kayaking boating and yachting.  If youre looking for a different speed, perhaps a picnic, fishing, whale-watching, taking in the sunset, or exploring the tide pools, whatever your desire, you can find it here.  If you love the ocean and want to learn more about it, check out the fun and educational Ocean Institute. There really is no better place for fantastic sailing than in Dana Point.  We are home to Aventura Sailing Association, Dana West Yacht Club, and the Dana Point Yacht Club, one of the friendliest yacht clubs around.  The Monarch Beach Golf Club is an impressive world-class course with a glorious view of the Pacific Ocean. I always love a day-trip to Catalina Island, only accessible by boat, where you can enjoy hiking, shopping, and dining. 

For great community festivals and events youve come to the right place.  Dana Point hosts the Tall Ships and Harbor Music Festival, a unique weekend which blends the past with the present for an exciting mix of maritime history and innovative science programs. The Festival features living history demonstrations, live music, arts and crafts, sunset cannon battles, and tall ship tours as well as a pirate encampment filled with their booty from across the seas.  The Fourth of July Fireworks show is truly spectacular, with over $30, 000 of fireworks bursting over the harbor.  The Festival of Whales kicks off the whale watching season as the California gray whales make their annual migration from the Arctic to Baja California, and the spot where they come closest to land is right here in Dana Point.  The Doheny Blues Festival is awesome with performances from top Blues, Rock and R & B musicians.  Doheny Days is another music festival not to be missed.  This annual hot spot includes such groups as The Reverend Horton Band, Reel Big Fish, Steel Pulse, Eek-A-Mouse, Third World and more, and benefits the American Red Cross.  For a sophisticated night of music the Capistrano Valley Symphony is a must.  There is never a dull moment in Dana Point and its all close by. 

Dana Point is a great place to raise a family.  Dana Point is a part of one of the most successful school districts in the state.  Capistrano Unified School District is the proud home to thirty-three California Distinguished Schools, an award granted for high standards, graduation requirements, and scholastic achievements. Partnerships with business and community as well as a safe, clean and healthy learning environment contribute to the ongoing success of the education system. The learning support services for all students including those with special needs, means that students receive more individualized attention.  The schools employ modern technology to support student learning and encourage extensive family participation.  We are the proud home to Dana Hills High School, one of the most honored secondary schools in the State of California. As a National Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished School, Dana Hills received a California Digital High School grant totaling nearly $700,000.  We have more than 600 computers on campus for student use, and with additional support from the community Dana Hills is now one of the Districts most technologically advanced schools.  Capistrano Unified School District is home to a total 11 National Blue Ribbon Schools.  It is the visionary and collaborative leadership, research-based curriculum and instructional practices that makes me feel good about educating my children in Dana Point.  Education in Dana Point truly is a partnership between the student, the home and our richly diverse community which serves not only to educate but also to assist them in realizing their full potential by providing an educational environment in which students are challenged, excellence is expected and differences are valued. The schools in Dana Point are always a great source of pride for the community. 

Dana Point is a dream come true, for families as well as for those looking to enjoy a second home in weather and luxurious living that is unsurpassed.  Living in Dana Point is one of the smartest investments we have made, for our kids, for our work and play, and for our future. 

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