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Dana Point was once called Capistrano Bay, before it was named after the author Richard Henry Dana Jr., who documented his voyages around the country in a merchant ship named Pilgrim. He was particularly enchanted by Dana Point California, referring to it as ‘the most romantic spot on the California coast.’ His epic sea journal, Two Years before the Mast, was first published in 1840.
How Dana Point came to be is a rather interesting tale, looking back to its early beginnings as Capistrano Bay. In the year 1923, real estate magnates Woodruff, Chandler and Sherman created the Dana Point Syndicate. It was very ambitious - streets lined with trees, residential homes perched on the bluffs, commercial districts, electric power, waterways, sewers, storm drains and telephone lines were just some of the amenities that lured investors to capitalize on the Dana Point real estate market. In 1939, the project was abandoned following the Great Depression. Today, the 34 homes that Woodruff originally built remain occupied.
The Dana Point coastline is an impressive 7-mile stretch of rolling hills and jutting cliffs along the Pacific Ocean. One of the most significant man made changes done along this coastline is the construction of the Dana Point Harbor, a seaport with a mooring capacity for over 2,500 sea vessels. It is the Dana Point Harbor that provides a distinction for Dana Point among the other Orange County cities because of the number of tourist visits that it gets annually. Specialty shops and restaurants line up at the harbour. Many activities such as parasailing, sport fishing, cycling and swimming can be done at Dana Point Harbor.
Considered one of California’s best known beach sanctuaries is the Doheny State Park. In 1928, industrialist Edward Doheny invested in properties at Capistrano Beach. Together with some of his family members, Doheny created a development company named the Capistrano Beach Company. The houses that they eventually built were very similar in architectural details – the Spanish red-tile roofing and the high ceiling beams stenciled with artwork were among the typical elements. They built a total of 27 homes in Dana Point including the Doheny family house on the bluffs. A tragic public scandal that claimed the life of Doheny’s son Ned in the year 1929 prompted the Doheny estate to donate 41.4 acres of land to the State of California as his memorial. That piece of land is today known as the Doheny State Park.
Other interesting places to visit while in Dana Point are the Salt Creek Beach Park and the Ocean Institute. Salt Creek is the locale’s favorite surfing spot, while also being an ideal place for enjoying the sun and sand. Further down is the Bluff Park, where picnic amenities are available for all guests. Meanwhile, the Ocean Institute is an educational highlight dedicated to environment and ocean preservation. Here you will find a replica of the merchant ship Pilgrim, the vessel used by Richard Henry Dana Jr. in his travels and explorations.
If you are looking for homes for sale in Dana Point , you can search the multiple listing service (Dana Point MLS).
Doheny, Homes for sale in Dana Point, Dana Point Real Estate
