Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and Doheny education of the people of California by helping At daybreak, the calm to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological State Beach diversity, protecting its most valued natural and ocean draws surfers cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. waiting for that elusive perfect wave.

California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (949) 496-6171. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected].

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov

Doheny State Beach 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive Dana Point, CA 92629 (949) 496-6171 www.parks.ca.gov/doheny

© 2008 California State Parks (Rev. 2015) A s California’s first state beach, Doheny Edward L. Doheny NATURAL RESOURCES covers 62 acres of scenic oceanfront. This Doheny State Beach takes its name from Plants and Animals Orange County beach beckons to those oilman Edward L. Doheny. In 1893 he The park’s four sensitive wetland/riparian seeking sun, sand, and surf. borrowed money to dig the city’s first oil plant ecosystems are coastal brackish marsh, Doheny State Beach enjoys mild weather well, striking oil at 200 feet deep. Doheny southern willow scrub, southern sycamore year-round, with generally fine air quality created a vast land and oil empire in riparian woodland, and mule fat scrub. and coastal breezes. Average summer Southern California and Mexico. temperatures range in the high 70s, while Before he died in 1935, winter ushers in fog and slightly cooler mid- he donated 41 acres of 60-degree weather. his beachfront estate to the State. PARK HISTORY In the late 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Gray whale Native People Corps (CCC) constructed campgrounds, picnic The Dana Point area was primarily inhabited areas, and the custodian’s lodges at Doheny The park provides habitat and nesting by the Acjachemen (Juaneño) tribe. For beach and at nearby San Clemente. The sole ground to such birds as black-crowned night at least 9,000 years, they lived in coastal CCC remnant at Doheny is a plaster and tile herons, ruby-crowned kinglets, and snowy or valley villages from San Clemente to wall and entryway near the campground. egrets, while black-bellied plovers and Aliso Creek. The first recorded contact sanderlings dart across the sand. Doheny between the Acjachemen and Europeans enjoys migratory visits from gray whales came in 1769 when Gaspar de Portolá led offshore and monarch butterflies in season. an expedition of Spanish soldiers and Marine life includes grunion, halibut, and Franciscan missionaries to the area now stingrays, while garibaldi and common called Orange County. dolphin also swim beneath the waves. By 1776 Mission San Juan Capistrano ACTIVITIES had been constructed in an Acjachemen village; the tribal people who labored 1967 surfers’ mecca Junior Ranger and Interpretive Programs there were then called San Juaneños by Junior Ranger and campfire programs are the missionaries. SURF’S UP offered during the summer. Check with the Juaneño customs and population rapidly Dana Point hosted surfing legends like park staff for schedules and topics. declined as they succumbed to hard labor surfboard maker Hobie Alter and Endless Doheny’s remodeled visitor/interpretive at the missions, confinement, and diseases Summer filmmaker Bruce Brown. “Down center and aquarium exhibits show the carried by Europeans. Today the Juaneño Doheny Way” was memorialized in the natural and cultural history of the park tribe’s culture and language survive in Beach Boys’ hit Surfin’ USA. Its spectacular habitats and surrounding open spaces. their traditional ceremonies and song; the pipelines and point breaks ended when The Junior Lifeguard Waterman’s Academy, tribe is pursuing recognition from the Dana Point’s harbor breakwater was built in for ages 8 to 16, shares beach and ocean federal government. 1966. Doheny surf still breaks consistently. safety information, physical fitness, lifeguard barbecue grills, and parking. To reserve for a • Dogs must be attended on a six-foot leash group from 25 to 1,000 people, contact (949) at all times and must be confined to a 496-3617 or [email protected]. vehicle or tent at night. Except for service animals, no dogs are allowed on beaches. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES • All natural and cultural features in the park Parking, some camping and picnic sites, are protected by state law and may not be restrooms, showers, and the campfire and removed or disturbed. visitor centers are accessible. A boardwalk runs from the north picnic area to the palapa. NEARBY STATE BEACHES AND PARKS A beach wheelchair may be available. • San Clemente State Beach Experience many tide pool residents at the 225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente 92672 visitor center’s exhibits. PLEASE REMEMBER (949) 492-3156 Warning: The sea is unpredictable and often • San Onofre State Beach, 3 miles south on skills, and ocean-oriented activities. dangerous. Use extreme caution. Never turn I-5 (Basilone Road exit) (949) 492-4872 For more information, call (949) 496-6162 your back at the ocean’s edge. • Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 North Coast or visit www.dohojg.com. • Collection of dead wood is prohibited. Hwy. 1, Laguna Beach 92651 (949) 494-3539 Camping • Only registered campers may drink Warm water and more than a mile of sandy alcohol in their campsites. Special-event beach consistently earn Doheny State alcohol permit holders may serve alcohol. This park receives support in part Beach the title of “Orange County’s best from a nonprofit organization. camping site.” Its 113 campsites, including For more information, contact: Doheny State Beach 33 beachfront sites, have fire rings, picnic Interpretive Association tables, and hot showers. The group camp can 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive accommodate up to 40 people. Reserve at Dana Point, CA 92629 (949) 496-2923 (800) 444-7275 or www.parks.ca.gov/doheny. www.dohenystatebeach.org Beach Activities A rocky area at the beach’s western end attracts certified divers and licensed anglers. During low tide, visitors may explore tide pools. Volleyball, horseshoes, swimming, sunbathing, kayaking, and paddle boarding are popular, while surfing is restricted to the day-use beach north of San Juan Creek. Picnicking Doheny’s five-acre landscaped picnic area has plenty of family and group picnic tables, to Laguna Beach

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