Dana Point



Dana Point Community of Homes

Statue of Richard Dana Jr.

Ocean Institute and the Pilgrim

Ocean Institute and Education Center

We found the community of Dana Point to be one of the loveliest in Southern California.  Steep hillsides caress beautiful homes overlooking the harbor and the ocean beyond.  We enjoyed its relaxing atmosphere and found the beaches less crowded than the better known tourist towns.  The community is named in honor of Richard Henry Dana Jr., the author of the famous book “Two Years Before the Mast” (1840).  In 1835 Dana arrived on board the Pilgrim, a two-masted sailing ship out of Boston.  Dana had left his studies at Harvard to join the crew on Pilgrim at the age of 19 and later wrote his famous book in which he described his life on a ship and on shore.  Dana was so impressed with the beauty of the area, including neighboring San Juan Capistrano that he referred to the cove as “the only romantic spot” on the coast.  He eventually returned to Massachusetts to complete his law degree at Harvard and became a distinguished attorney in maritime and international law; his experience aboard a ship on the high seas no doubt provided valuable insights.  In 1884 Dana Point was named to honor his memory and in gratitude for his enthusiastic description of this beautiful place.  A replica of the Pilgrim is anchored in the harbor in front of the Ocean Institute and is used as a floating classroom.  She sets sail every summer on a tour of Southern California with a volunteer crew and has appeared in several films, including “Amistad” directed by Steven Spielberg.  The Pilgrim is owned by the Ocean Institute, a non-profit marine science and maritime history education center that holds classes for school age students.  We walked the grounds of the Center, admiring the interesting architecture and landscaping, stopping to relax on a bench overlooking the sea.

The Pilgrim

Natural Landscaping behind the Ocean Institute

Dana Point

Got d' Fever at Dana Point Marina