Dana Point Harbor Overlook

At the dead end of Street of the Amber Lantern is a popular lookout point over Dana Point Harbor. People gather here to unwind and enjoy the views of the dry cliffs and harbor, especially pretty at sunset. There are two benches, and 14 bullocks that are fun to sit on for a group photo or youtube video. You can walk on a path consisting of many stairs called the Dana Point Bluff Top Trail, or Hide Trail, in front of clifftop houses built in the 1980s maritime style. The walk is only 200m so it is a bit weird to call it a trail! But it is a pretty walk. You pass some old concrete archways that were part of the Dana Point Inn that was never completed because of the Great Depression's arrival. There is also a sculpture of a man working with a cow hide, depicting the history of the area, in which American Indians tossed cowhides off the cliffs to deliver them to yankee sailors below. You can't walk down to the harbor from here- there are no steps.

Once you reach the end of the "trail," if you continue along the sidewalk on El Camino Capistrano for another 200m, you come to Doris Walker Overlook and Heritage Park, with sweeping views and a huge lawn like a bowl. This park is popular with dog lovers.
After, have a cup of coffee on Street of the Amber Lantern, in the Dana Point Lantern District, at Bear Coast Coffee or Maison Cafe, enjoying the hip, modern architecture around you- both have outdoor seating. The Shwack Beach Grill has outdoor seating on the street corner. Penelope Pots is a cute florist store to browse.
A nice beach nearby with a huge sloped lawn and walking path above it is Salt Creek Beach. It is a seven minute drive north.
For an outdoor mall with white Spanish buildings, drive 11 minutes south to Outlets at San Clemente.

Directions

Dana Point Harbor Overlook and Dana Point Bluff Top Trail are located at 34342 Street of the Amber Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629. There is parking along the road.

Click on map for interactive view