Doheny State Beach - Camping and Day
Use
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Doheny
State Beach is located in South Orange County next
to Dana Point Harbor. Doheny
became California’s first state beach when Edward Doheny
donated 41 acres of ocean front property in 1931. Up until the
Dana Point Harbor was built in 1971 Doheny Beach was a popular
surf break. Today the waves are tame, blocked by the rock jetty
of the harbor. One advantage is Doheny's gentle breakers make
the an ideal place to learn surfing. The northern section of
the beach is for day use and has a wide sandy beach plus a large
grass area perfect of picnics. You can rent bikes at the concession
stand and travel all the way to San
Clemente along the bike trail. Parking is $10.00 per vehicle
in the park or there is a parking lot off Dana Harbor Drive
which charges by the hour. Summer season can be very busy off
season Doheny looks like the picture below.
Doheny State Beach is perfect for a local camping trip or day
use.
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Beach Camping at
one Doheny’s 122 camping sites is not an off the beaten
path experience. The camping area is on the south side of creek
with Pacific Coast Highway and the railroad tracks one one
side and the beach on the other. The camping sites lining the
beach are great but if you get stuck in the back you will get
a lot off traffic noise plus hear the Amtrak
trains passing by. Most campers use an RV or trailer but
you can also pitch your tent. Summer time these camping sites
are at hard to come by, off season except for holiday weekends
you have a good chance of getting camping site. Daytrippen
visited Doheny in mid November and there were several open
beach font camp sites plus the beach was nearly deserted. Camp-site
reservations are made through Reserve
America. Reservations can be booked up to seven
months in advance. Plan early for summer camping trips Doheny
Beach is a very popular destination.
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The beach is just off of Dana
Harbor Drive, approximately one mile north of I-5 and about three
miles from San Juan Capistrano Mission. Dohney
Beach is next to Dana Point Harbor
which has boat rentals, whale watching
trips and plenty of restraints. Dogs are allowed to the campground.
They must be leashed and attended to by an adult at all times.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time.
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