Baby Beach(Dana Point Harbor)

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.

Visitors to Baby Beach can enjoy swimming, boat rentals, paddleboarding, picnics, fishing, and other activities.

Baby Beach is disability accessible.

Because of Baby Beach’s location within Dana Cove Harbor, the water is usually quite calm, creating a perfect environment for new swimmers, paddleboarders, and kayakers. As a result, the common crowd is young families with young children. However, water quality can be poor at times, forcing lifeguards to keep beachgoers out of the water. If that is the case, the fine, white sands are ideal for sunbathing and relaxing. For those who want to stretch their legs, the Ocean Institute is just a quarter-mile walk away, and is open to visitors on weekends, offering unique learning opportunities within marine biology. Baby Beach is also just a quarter-mile from downtown Dana Point, where one can find several shops and restaurants.

If you get hungry, renowned chef Richard Sandoval’s, Raya, offers delicious Pan-Latin American cuisine in an exquisite fine dining experience. The organic and sustainability focused restaurant offers a gorgeous view of the ocean to complement the elegant dining atmosphere and is only a 10-minute drive from Baby Beach. For more American fare, check out the Club 19 Restaurant. This fine-dining restaurant is also a 10-minute drive away from Baby Beach and boasts plentiful TVs and a view overseeing a beautiful golf course extending to the ocean. The closest dining option at a 5-minute drive from Baby Beach is the rustic Point Restaurant & Bar. Voted Best Sports Bar in Dana Point two years in a row, this casual dining option is the ideal location to watch sports games and enjoy delicious bar food. Bring your kids too, as they will love the Kids Cave play area.

If you are looking for a place to stay near Baby Beach, the closest option is the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa. A 5-minute drive from the beach, Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa is a 4-Star resort exhibiting casual sophistication and several amenities, including a full service spa, several pools, and an OverVue lounge for tapas and cocktails. For more luxurious accommodations, the 5-Star Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel hotel is the epitome of modern luxury, offering ocean-inspired spa treatments, indoor and outdoor wedding venues with gorgeous ocean views, and multiple locally sourced dining options. For families, check out the Blue Lantern Inn, a 3-Star hotel only a 10-minute drive from Baby Beach. The Blue Lantern Inn has been recognized as a top traveler inn by Travel and Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler, along with being featured on The Today Show as one of the most affordable beach resorts in the country. The resort offers wine and cheese mini picnics, spa and fitness centers, meeting rooms, and bicycles for exploring the local area.