13 REASONS TO STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING AND VISIT DANA POINT

California is a popular place to travel to no matter where you are from. You probably know Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, but none of these cities can give you what Dana Point does. Whether it’s the beach, the relaxation, or even what the city offers, Dana Point is the most luxurious place you can find. Here are the top 13 reason why you need to visit Dana Point for your getaway.

1. FIND PEACE AND QUIET WITH EASE.

Nothing compares to walking around the St. Regis Monarch Beach Hotel. Each area of the hotel has been painstakingly been crafted so that the sound of running water is present. If the sound isn’t enough, there are three luxury pools two choose from each with their own unique feature. They range from family friendly to lap pools with underwater speakers. The party may be below the surface, but above, it is nothing short of serine.

2. NO BEACH IN CALIFORNIA COMPARES TO THESE BLUE WATERS.

California is known for many things, but its beaches are renowned across the world. Dana Point may not have the giant waves that surfers are accustomed to; however, the calm rolling in of the gentle waves combined with the almost movie like blue tint of the water make for a breathtaking view.

3.SUNSETS MAKE LATE NIGHT WALKS ALL THE MORE ENJOYABLE.

No destination getaway is complete without a sunset worthy of a postcard. Dana point lives up to this criteria. Each night as the sun sets and bounces off the clouds, it paints a unique picture worthy of several moments of appreciation. The sunsets combined with the local architecture and landscape make each night more enjoyable than the last.

4. A GREAT PLACE TO BRING KIDS.

Dana Point is a fantastic spot to bring your kids. Take away the beaches, breath taking views, or even the amazing food, there is still dozens of kid friendly activity. The Ocean Institute is a local, aquarium like, local center that educates kids on aquatic life. They provide tours and classes that range from kindergarteners to seniors in high school. For the adventurous types, they have day sailing trips and overnight sleepovers on the local pirate ships that dock in the harbor.

5. THEY MAKE EVERY ROOM FEEL LIKE HOME.

There is a room type for every guest that enters Dana Point. The Doubletree is just as comfortable as it looks. They feel close and warm without ever feeling small.  There is no better feeling than waking up to the sunlight bouncing off the water in to your room.

6. EACH MEAL IS A PIECE OF ART.

You can not go to Dana Point and miss out on the local seafood. Each piece somehow seems more fresh than the previous. That being said, every meal, fish or not, is crafted by the local hotels and eateries with purpose. They attempted to not only capture the complexity of the flavor but stimulate as many of your senses as possible. The dish above is from the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel.

7. EVEN THE SMALLEST OF LOCATIONS FEELS PERSONALIZED.

This quaint city might not be big, but every part of it is different.

8. THERE ARE LOCAL WHALE WATCHING AND DOLPHIN EXPEDITIONS.

For those of you with your sea legs, you must immediately sign up for Captain Dave’s whale watching trip. The trip itself may not be the longest, but each moment is filled with action and excitement. From the chase to find the local humpback and gray whales to the playful spirits of the migrating dolphins each second becomes instantly memorable.

9. A GREAT PLACE TO RELAX AND PLAY GOLF.

If you like golf, look no further. The St. Regis Monarch Beach Hotel has one of the most beautiful courses that you could play on. A well laid out course with that tricky sand trap inches away from the perfect shot create the excitement and risk the golf brings. Not only is the course a few minute walk away from the hotel, they have their own pro shop where you can learn to play and rent gear. It’s never to late to start!

10. PADDLE BOARDING IN THE LOCAL BAY LETS THE BODY AND MIND REST

If you enjoy the water then you must partake in the local paddle boarding. Early in the morning when the water is calm and the day has yet to truly begin, the locals mixed in with those who have traveled grab their paddles and boards and take to the local bay. It is a wonderful community that would not hesitate to lend a helping hand to someone who is taking their first attempt. The docks and bay where most of the locals sift through are more than large enough to provide an expansive experience.

11. AROUND EVERY CORNER THERE’S A BREATHTAKING VIEW.

Having walked near every inch of Dana Point, one will find that it becomes quite difficult to find a spot with a bad view. If you take to the city, each time you stop, you become lost in the view of the town before your eyes. Even without the ocean, the two is truly a thing of beauty.

12. THEY HAVE LIGHT PARADES DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

There is nothing more enjoyable than taking in customs of the local people that live there. If you’re only in Dana Point for one night then you must visit the IlluminOcean show of lights. for 40 days and 40 nights, the town bands together to put on a local light show with grand fixtures several stories high. They are interactive with sounds, smells, and even smoke filled dragons. Once you have finished the walking portion, sit back, relax, and watch the parade of decorated ships sail on by.

13. EVERY DINNER LOCATION FEELS SPECIAL AND UNIQUE.

As long as you head over to the region you cannot possibly do wrong. It is relaxing and exciting at the same time. There are a myriad of activities to do for all ages and enough quite space to truly feel you are on an authentic vacation. If you want to learn more about the area be sure to visit www.mydanapoint.com or if you want to just learn about their holiday light parades visit www.illuminocean.com. No matter what you do, if you find you way to California, make sure you visit Dana Point.