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Doheny State Beach
Rating Details »
Categories: Parks, Swimming Pools, Beaches [Edit]
23500 Dana Point Harbor DrDana Point, CA 92629
(949) 496-6172
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
9 reviews for Doheny State Beach
1 minus star for the ridiculously rocky sand border when you first step into the beach/ocean... I was literally saying "ow ow ow ow ow" every step of the way until I completely went farther out into the ocean.
I love socal beaches in general. I was extremely happy that I was able to swim with not even being cold!! The weather was perfectly warm and the water was too!
In general, it is not the cleanest, most perfect beach.. but which beach isn't when there are tons of families!?! Perfect for family/big group outings.. There are BBQ pits/multiple volleyball sand courts/bath houses( not too dirty when i was there!!). I loved the atmosphere, where there is also a grass area further back from the beach for group games or even for tanning. If you come here late during the day though, parking lots are packed and it will be impossible for you to get any bbq spots or whatnot.. Unless you are just willing to tan and relax then that is do-able to get a spot.
Lots of activities available, group bikes, jet skis and etc.. There is a boat port which is also a nice of scenery.
I got to surf here!! The waves were perfect for the day!! It made me want to go surfing more but Norcal requires a wetsuit! Friendly people I got to meet while tanning and reading.. Overall a great experience for my first time at Doheny State Beach! I can't wait to explore other Socal beaches on my next trips!
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (4)
While low on tourists, definitely not one of the greatest beaches I've been to. My friends took me here (note: they are not big beach people despite living in SoCal), and we had to pay for parking, but what can you expect from a State Beach? Anyway, we get here, find a spot on the beach, I head into the water and proceed to get rocks hurled at me by the waves, ouch. I'm pretty sure I got cut in the water.
We decide to move further down because it has to be nicer and less rocky closer to what look like hotels or condos. Yeah... no. Just as rocky as other parts. There also was this huge pool of standing water that looked disgusting underneath one of the bridges further back, definitely not inviting. The beach is still full of rocks and I'm pretty sure I spied some broken glass several times along the way.
Now I read posts saying its one of the most polluted beaches in the state, ouch. Now I know why no one was there.
On the plus side, it had a great view and seeing the boats and surfers was pretty cool.
Overall a dirty and crowded beach.
Next to an inlet so it's great to watch the boats come and go. Little paved walkway with fishermen.
There are volleyball courts.
Firepits although it's almost impossible to get one, especially late in the day.
Bath houses provided, but they are gross.
The cast of characters walking around is also interesting.
Watch out for "things" in the sand. Glass, metal, sharp objects. A couple if people stepped on "things", one so bad it required stitches. All of the people around the firepits at night just leave their garbage and don't clean up.
Overall a fun evening but there are nicer beaches in So Cal to hang out at on a random evening.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
I really enjoyed this beach!
It's rare for me to actually swim at a beach because I get cold easily and I'm scared of the waves..haha. But this beach was nioce! It was cold at first but after awhile, my body got used to it. The only scary part is the dip a few feet into the water! It's rocky in the beginning then you hit the dip, then sand with a few scattered rocks.
It was pretty clean and there were lots of people since I went with family for 4th of July. There's also a place to rent those bikes and its a total must! It was fun! My cousins and I were racing with other people and playing chicken! Of course WE won ;)
I would definitely come back!!
Right off Hwy 1 in Dana Point, Doheny State Beach is a great place to camp on the beach or just visit for the day. There's a $10 entrance fee if you park in their lot, but it's really well maintained with literally hundreds of new picnic tables and bbq pits. You can rent bikes, play beach volleyball, or even catch some waves. It looks like a good break for learning how to surf since it's pretty long and steady. It does seem like a place that can get crowded -- I counted over 50 surfers at 8am on Sunday morning!
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
I don't think it's very commonly known that Doheny is consistently and by far THE MOST POLLUTED BEACH IN AMERICA as measured by fecal bacteria counts. This is due to a combination of untreated sewage runoff, tons of seagulls, and lack of ocean circulation due to the jetty. Google 'doheny pollution' if you think I am exaggerating. People do get sick here.
http://www.calcoast.or...
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
It really is too bad that they put up that damn jetty way back when and ruined quite possibly one of the best surfing beaches around!
Doheny is however, a great place to learn how to long board...just don't do it on say a holiday like the 4th of July! lol
And speaking of the 4th...great place to head on down to for the fireworks and a day in the sun. Just be sure you get there at the crack of dawn with your RV or tents for the grass...the place fills up fast! AND..bring your roller blades for a trek down to Olemendi's off Cap Beach for a margarita!
Fun place to BBQ and bring the kids...not the best beach to chill on the sand or to swim.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (2)
I used to go to Doheny fairly often, then I found out about the water quality, and actually if it wasn't for that, the little rocks that hit you every time a wave comes in killed it for me anyway. This is a nice place to come if you go to the park, for a little kids birthday party or something, We have done this, rented bikes, its actually nice. The beach itself looks great, and I've watched some surfing competitions there, but I won't go to go in the water.
I grew up less than a mile from Doheny. My mom used to camp there in the 50s and 60s. It's featured in two Beach Boys songs about surfing (Surfin' Safari and Surfin' USA). It was the first state beach in the state. These are all good reasons to visit Doheny. Its employees are fun and knowledgeable and they have events throughout the year to spice up your visit. It's a little bit park, a little beach and a little bit old California since the park has pretty much stayed the same (in a good way) since the 60s. A big positive is the lack of cliffs you have to walk down to get to the beach like other parks in the area. Everything is at sea level.
