Dana Point, CA is an affluent coastal city located about 59 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is bordered by Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, and Rancho Santa Margarita.
For many years in the early 1800s, the area now known as Dana Point was a trading port for Mission San Juan Capistrano. In the 1920s, Harry Chandler, General M. H. Sherman, and builder Sidney H. Woodruff developed the area into a thriving residential community. The city was named after Richard Henry Dana, a sailor who visited the area during the 1830s.
The harbor of Dana Point is currently undergoing a full-scale redevelopment plan. Residents of Dana Point live by a city motto of “Harboring the Good Life”.
Dana Point is known for its gorgeous coast, beaches, marinas, and unique boutiques as well as for being a popular destination for whale watching and dolphin watching.
Notable people who have lived in Dana Point include NBA All-Star Earvin “Magic” Johnson, actress Bernadette Withers, actress Melinda Clarke, NFL quarterback Sam Darnold, and singer-songwriter Andrew McMahon.
Is Dana Point a good place to live? You can find out what to know before moving to Dana Point by considering interesting facts about the population, local amenities, and details about the city culture.
Table of Contents
1. People Living in Dana Point, CA – Population & Demographics
How many people live in Dana Point? The biggest growth spurt in the area came during the 1980s with more than 20,000 newcomers relocating to Dana Point. The current Dana Point population is 33,769 residents with a median age of 51 years old.
Dana Point demographics are consistently becoming more diverse with about 74% Caucasian, 18% Hispanic or Latino, 4% Asian, and 1% Black or African American. The gender ratio is fairly even with about 51% female and 49% male. The median household income in Dana Point is $99,409.
Spanning about 6.5 square miles, Dana Point can be found near the southern point of Orange County. The local Dana Point zip codes are 92624, 92629, 92651, 92672, 92673, 92675, and 92677. The city’s main area code is 949.
The time zone in Dana Point is Pacific Standard Time (PST), though it switches to Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) during daylight savings time. The approximate elevation in Dana Point is 144 feet.
Is Dana Point a safe place to live? Ranked among the top 30 safest in California, the crime rate in Dana Point is 46% lower than the national average. With a violent crime rate that is 59% lower than average, people living in Dana Point have a 1 in 75 chance of being a victim of crime – Dana Point is a very safe place to live
Residents living in Dana Point are served and protected by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. There are 37 active police officers on the force, specifically covering the Dana Point community.
2. Cost of Living in Dana Point, CA
How much does it cost to live in Dana Point, CA? The average cost of living in Dana Point is twice as much as the national average and is about 50% higher than the California state average. While local transportation is a bit more affordable, the more expensive expenses are groceries, utilities, healthcare, and the Dana Point real estate market.
The homeownership rate in Dana Point is 63.8%. Dana Point, CA homes for sale range from small manufactured homes to multi-million dollar oceanfront properties. The average price of a home in Dana Point is $1.52 million.
The Dana Point property tax rate is 0.690%, which means you can expect to pay about $10,488 per year in property taxes for a $1.52 million home.
About 36% of people residing in Dana Point rent their living spaces. The average price of rent in Dana Point is about $2,550 per month, which has increased by nearly 25% in the past year.
3. Dana Point Neighborhoods
Where should you live in Dana Point? While the area isn’t very large, a couple of the best Dana Point neighborhoods worth a look include:
- South Cove
- Monarch Beach
Dana Point operates 28 beautiful parks for all residents to enjoy throughout the year. These outdoor activities are managed and maintained by the City of Dana Park Recreation department.
People moving to Dana Point will also have access to convenient shopping at places like Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, Dollar Tree, Albertsons, Smart & Final, Ralphs, Trader Joe’s, Monarch Bay Plaza, and the Lantern Bay Village Shopping Center.
4. Dana Point, CA Weather & Climate
There is a Mediterranean climate in Dana Point, which offers enviable weather for most of the year.
The average temperature in Dana Point in the summertime is between the upper 50s and upper 70s. Winters only cool down slightly to temps ranging from the mid-40s to the mid-60s. Dana Point weather also gets an average of 14 inches of rain per year.
5. Things to Do in Dana Point
You’ll quickly notice that there are more than enough enjoyable activities, interesting attractions, and fun places to visit in Dana Point.
Doheny State Beach
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Ranked as the best beach in the area, one of the top things to do in Dana Point is to visit the popular Doheny State Beach. The fun location offers plenty of activities including sand volleyball, picnic areas, campsites, and even nice surfing spots.
Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629 (949) 496-6171
Capt Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari
If you want to catch a glimpse of some local wildlife, one of the best options is to take a trip out on the ocean with Capt Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari. They have glass viewing pods and offer educational information as their charter boats take enthusiasts out all year long.
Capt Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari, 24440 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629 (949) 518-0310
Additional Dana Point Attractions
- Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629
- Pacific Adventure Company, 34451 Ensenada Pl, Dana Point, CA 92629
- Capistrano Beach Park – OC Parks, 35005 Beach Rd, Dana Point, CA 92624
6. Dana Point Restaurants
Anytime you’re looking for great places to eat in Dana Point, there are a couple of spots that locals tend to talk about the most.
The Shwack Beach Grill
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Ranking among the top restaurants in Dana Point, the Shwack Beach Grill offers a laid-back setting while you eat. The popular diner has a great menu filled with burgers, tacos, salads, and chicken sandwiches.
The Shwack Beach Grill, 24502 Del Prado Ave, Dana Point, CA 92629 (949) 218-2731
Wind & Sea Restaurant
One of Dana Point’s top places to eat is the Wind & Sea Restaurant, an oceanside seafood restaurant with views of the harbor. Visitors can enjoy live music as they feast on mouthwatering steaks and a variety of seafood dishes with a Hawaiian twist.
Wind & Sea Restaurant, 34699 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629 (949) 496-6500
7. Jobs in Dana Point
The average salary in Dana Point is $75,000 per year. There is a state income tax rate of 8%. Dana Point currently has a 5.4% unemployment rate.
If you’re searching for Dana Point jobs, there are some great companies that have planted their roots in the area. A handful of the top places to work in Dana Point are:
- North American Health Care
- Ocean Institute
- SpaceX
Anyone who travels for work can get from Dana Point to LAX, which is about 65 miles away and takes around 1 hour 15 minutes to drive there.
8. Dana Point Schools
There are over 5,403 kids between the ages of 0 and 18 years old residing in Dana Point, which equals around 16% of the population. Though the area is often recognized as a city for retirees, Dana Point is an excellent place for families to live.
Local schools in Dana Point are included in the larger Capistrano Unified School District. A couple of the city’s top schools are:
- Richard Henry Dana Elementary School
- Dana Hills High School
The closest colleges and universities to Dana Point are the Laguna College of Art and Design as well as the Soka University of America.
People of all ages can visit the free Dana Point Library to check out books, movies, and more.
Map of Dana Point, CA
Find plenty of fun things to do, places to eat, and beyond with this Dana Point map.
Living in Dana Point Pros & Cons
- Pro: Dana Point is a great place to settle down whether you’re a young family or a retiree.
- Pro: As one of the safest cities in California, people relocating to Dana Point can always have peace of mind.
- Con: The cost of living in Dana Point is high and may not be possible for some.
Moving to Dana Point, CA
It’s hard not to see the many reasons to move to Dana Point, which make it such a popular place to live. If you want to relocate to this beautiful community, SafeWay Moving has the best Dana Point movers ready to assist you with the transition. Reach out to our team today by calling (949) 639-0330 or take a moment to complete the Request a Quote form on this page for a free moving estimate!