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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Salt
Creek Beach Southern California
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Salt
Creek is located below the Ritz Carlton Hotel in South
Orange County and has been a favorite surfing spot since
the 1960s. Today along with surfers you can find guests
from two five star resorts the Ritz Carlton and St. Regis.
Hotel guest are shuttled to the beach on electric golf
carts or can walk down paved trail down to the sand. Along
with out of town visitors Salt Creek attracts a mix of
families and sun bathers.
At one time you were able to drive your car down a dirt
road and park next to the beach. Part of the original
beach road is still visible from the snack bar to the
life guard tower on the point. Back in the fifty's and
sixty's families would park their cars along the beach
while visiting Salt Creek.
When construction of Dana Point harbor began in the late
60s road access to Salt Creek ended. Today if you want
to visit the beach you must park in a large parking lot
next to Pacific Coat Highway and hike down the steep road
to the beach.
Salt Creek Beach has changing rooms, showers, restrooms
and a seasonal snack bar. A path along the seawall connects
Salt Creek to Strand Breach to the South and Monarch Beach
to the North. A good spot to watch the surfers is next
to the lifeguard tower on the point. During the summer
months you can escape the crowd by walking south around
the point to Strand beach.
There is a small grass area with picnic benches and also
a nice stretch of sandy beach to enjoy. Keep an eye out
for critters pictured below. They hang out at the beach
during the day. Salt Creek is a great place spend the
day and has been a favorite beach for locals for many
years.
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Salt
Creek Beach |
Salt
Creek Beach has about one mile of wide sandy beach and is
adjacent Monarch Bay Beach which has a private beach club
near the sand. Surrounded by multi million dollar homes,
Monarch Beach Golf Links and the Ritz Carlton Hotel Salt
Creek is located in one of the most affluent areas of Orange
County.
During the summer the Salt Creek Beach is packed with hundreds
of sun worshipers, off season Salt Creek is a much more
casual destination perfect for a walk along the beach.
Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach
is a great place to have a picnic or relax and enjoy the
view. House directly behind the park cost several million
dollars each. You can enjoy the same view for a few dollars
parking fee. Tables are available at Bluff Park on a first
come first serve basis.
Salt Creek
snack bar is open during the summer and holidays. You can
not drive down to the beach anymore unless you are handicapped.
If you have a handicap placard affixed to the windshield
or a license plate you are allowed to drop off, but can
not park at the bottom of the road. |
St.
Regis Monarch Beach - Most of the spacious,
elegantly appointed guestrooms command spectacular views
of the Pacific Ocean. St. Regis dining experience ranges
from intimate indoor venues to dramatic ocean view garden
settings. View
on map
The
Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is situated atop
a one hundred fifty foot bluff overlooking the Salt Creek
beach and the Pacific Ocean midway between Los Angeles and
San Diego. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel offers unparalleled
service and quality. View
on map.
Salt Creek Beach is located at Pacific Coast Highway &
Ritz Carlton Drive, approximately six miles from the San
Diego freeway on Crown Valley Parkway.
All vehicle parking is $1/hour year around. Payment can
be made by cash or credit card and is self service. Salt
Creek Beach is open 5 am to 12 midnight. 33333 S. Pacific
Coast Hwy. Dana Point, CA 92629 (949) 923-2280
Free parking is available on Camino Del Avion between Niguel
Road and Crown Valley Parkway. From there you can hike or
bike down to the beach along the Salt Creek trail. On the
way to the beach its all down hill, return trip all up hill
and quite a climb. |
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Doheny
Beach popular for day use and over
night beach camping. Bike rentals available. |
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Laguna
Beach one of the most beautiful beaches
in Southern California. Dining and shopping. |
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