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Dana Point Tide Pools
Dana Point, Orange County
Also known as: Dana Point Headlands Beach, Dana Point Marine Conservation Area
Marine Protected Area behind the Ocean Institute at Dana Point Harbor. Large boulders and rocks extending for several hundred yards at the foot of huge cliffs. Volunteer docents sometimes present on weekends at low tide.
Access Difficulty
Moderate
Tips
- Take Dana Point Harbor Drive to Ocean Institute parking
- Rock scrambling required; strollers impractical
- Bring water, sunscreen, windbreakers
- High surf advisories may close the area
- Dogs prohibited on beach but allowed on leash to benches
- Stay back from unstable cliffs
- Never remove animals, shells or rocks - observe only
- Ocean Institute Visitor Center open Thu-Fri 11am-2pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm
- Ocean Institute offers naturalist-led 2-hour tide pool hikes
Marine Life
- hermit crabs
- crabs
- snails
- fish
- anemones
- mussels
- barnacles
- various algae
Amenities
- benches along jetty
- Ocean Institute
- visitor center
- interpretive materials
- educational programs
Sources: californiabeaches.com, tidepooling.info, california.com, funorangecountyparks.com, localanchor.com