Doheny Campground

Although most of the trails lead bikers out of the park, the San Juan Creek trail is a truly enjoyable trail taking bikers on a leisurely ride alongside a winding creek. The trail is suited for all levels of bikers, as it is on an easy, level, paved surface. The best part about riding here is the smell of the ocean and the thrill of pedaling as hard as you can into a flock of seagulls (don’t worry, they’ll move...eventually).

Right next to Doheny State Beach is Dana Point Harbor which serves as a great place for boats big and small to launch themselves into ocean waters. Once you find a guest slip, you will be rewarded with scenic harbor views and lots of open water to dip into. Call the guest slip (link above) if you are interested in finding out more information and reserve an appointment!

Doheny state beach is a popular spot for anglers, and you can often catch a row of eager fisherman lined up on the shore for a shot at surf fishing . In addition to fishing on land, lots of visitors to the park like to get further away from the shore and fish from their kayak. Depending on where you cast your reel from, this park can supply anything from perch and croaker to leopard sharks and rays.

With consistent summer surf and a tendency towards warmer waters, Doheny state beach is a great place to catch a wave. Surfing is restricted to the northern end of the beach, and the section known as the Boneyard makes a great, gentle place for newcomers to test out the waters. As a staple in California surf culture since the 50s and 60s, there are even references to Doheny surf in classic hits such as the Beach Boys “Surfin’ USA” and in the popular film, “Endless Summer”. Doheny beach is an all time classic and perfect place to ride the waters of sunny Californ-i-a.

Doheny beach is a warm, gentle place for family-style swimming or boogie boarding escapades. The best (and safest) spot for swimming here is at the north day use location. At this northern stretch of shore, some of the harbor tames the waves and makes for a worry-free swimming spot. Swimming at Doheny is doubly as awesome due to the white sands that greet you when you make your way out of the water and the warmer waters that southern California gives as a gift.