Top Family Friendly Beaches in Dana Point, California
Salt Creek Beach, nestled along the shoreline of the highly saline Salton Sea, is a broad expanse of light brown sand located near the town of Bombay Beach. This area is also part of the Salton Sea State Recreation Area, a state park known for its unique, albeit stark, beauty. However, visitors should be prepared to encounter occasional fish carcasses washed ashore, a consequence of the sea's extreme salinity.
Salt Creek Beach provides incredible, Instagram-worthy views of the Salton Sea, especially during sunset. For those who appreciate more picturesque coastal settings, the beaches near Dana Point along the Pacific Coast in Orange County offer delightful alternatives. Locations such as Salt Creek Beach Park, with its well-maintained picnic tables and nearby Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, blend luxury with natural beauty, and provide walking paths and grassy parks perfect for a family day out.
Located on the border of the cities of San Clemente and Dana Point, Poche Beach lies near the intersection of North El Camino Real and Camino Capistrano. Adjacent to the Shorecliffs Beach Club and running close to active train tracks, this beach is mostly rocky with some stretches of light brown sand. The Poche Creek meets the ocean near the beach, often flooding the area during rains and storms. There are oceanfront residential areas both to the north and south of the beach area. Poche Beach has no lifeguards or any other facilities.
Located in the city of Dana Point, Doheny State Beach – North Beach is a scenic beach with light brown sand, nestled within the larger state-managed Doheny State Beach area. This beach is not only a gateway to the beautiful Pacific Ocean but also features a unique creek, San Juan Creek, which flows adjacent to the beach before meeting the ocean. Notably, the beach and its surrounding area offer excellent opportunities to explore tide pools, especially during low tide, making it a prime location for tidepooling enthusiasts. This makes Doheny State Beach a distinctive destination among the many state parks in Orange County.
Doheny State Beach – North Beach is open between 6 am and 10 pm.
Located at the southernmost edge of Dana Point, Baby Beach is nestled within the Dana Cove Harbor. With fantastic views of the famous Ocean Institute tall ship replicas, this calm, quaint beach attracts many young families. However, Baby Beach itself is small, spanning only 500 feet, so make sure to arrive early as it fills quite quickly. Beach access is quick and easy – parking lots off of Dana Point Harbor Drive lead directly to the white sandy shore. With lifeguards on duty during the summer, designated barbeque and picnic areas, restrooms, and free parking, Baby Beach is a perfect place to spend all day with the family.
