Doheny State Beach
Doheny State Beach
4
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
Located adjacent to a popular campsite, this scenic beach provides a peaceful outdoor experience.
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Restaurants
229 within 3 miles
Attractions
128 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
513 reviews
Excellent
210
Very good
178
Average
85
Poor
23
Terrible
17
1LuckyPerson
4 contributions
Aug 2021
I would return to this area with friends or family; the beach isn't too crowed and offers fishing tours and surf lessons from nearby vendors with 2-3ft waves on the mild day I visited. I hear June is the dreary weather month, and August usually sunny though my two day visit was overcast. Still the weather was warm and pleasant, and I found both the locals and visitors very nice and welcoming. Good place for family, couples or a solo getaway. I hope to return.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ray2Go
Los Angeles, CA50 contributions
Jul 2020
Very nice beach, adjacent to Dana Point Harbor. Plenty of reasonably priced parking, decent bathrooms (w/showers to rinse off the salt water), and a good stretch of soft white sand. Lots of surfers (fun to watch) with plenty of room to swim, body surf, boogie board, or just play in the sand/water. Best to go during the week, or if on a weekend, get there before noon—it gets crowded.
Written July 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mariann s
Portland, OR40 contributions
Jan 2020
All of the individual camp sites are extremely close to one another. We were fortunate that no one was on our right or left- over wise they might as well have shared a tent with us. Noise, conversation and dog barking is easily shared. The beach itself is very tough to walk on and you will want to wear shoes. The kids all cried and wanted to be carried to the waters edge. I recommend staying at the Hilton Double Tree across the street!
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kenmac1
Spring Valley, CA550 contributions
Apr 2022
The cleanest beach in Southern California. With the friendliest camp hosts ever(!) on a very nice beach with mild to soupy surf. But... bring earplugs! The trains run right by 24 / 7 and some are pretty loud! Great food within bicycle distance too. Lots of choices at the harbor or on PCH.
Written April 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
do_the_freddy
Los Angeles, CA323 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
This review happened in July 2024. My wife and I always take a day and go to the beach. We love going to Doheny State Beach in Dana Point California. It's a state beach so you do have to pay, they used to have a pay station's but now you use the state park app to pay. It's easy to use. You download it and you can pay by the hour or the whole day, I suggest you pay for the whole day. It's cheaper then by the hour. You only input the license plate for your car and make and model and select how many hours. The beach is clean and safe. They have plenty of lifeguards and park rangers in the area. It's a very family friendly location. The have a cafe called the Dono Cafe. It has a wide verity of food, drinks, and snacks. The bathrooms are clean and don't smell and they have plenty of natural light coming in. There are also covered picnic areas that you have to reserve if you want to use them. they have built in fire grills. There are also volleyball courts that you can use. Doheny State Beach is a clean safe beach that you can relax at and have fun with your family and friends. We suggest you stop by if visiting California and the OC.
Written July 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MeMaL
34 contributions
May 2020
Large beach area. Lots of surfers. Fun to watch people. Nice walking paths. Because of social distancing you can not have chairs umbrellas or coolers on the beach. Many people laying on towels or sitting on sand which appeared to be allowed.
Written May 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
USBrits
Pasadena, CA182 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Can’t say we agree with any of the 5 star reviews. Packed like sardines onto a rocky beach. Sewage smell. Sprawling with campers and day tippers. Far better beaches in the area, unless you’re content to listen to other peoples music and noise.
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SAMANTHA B
5 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
Amazing Doheny beach park to stop by camping. Supper Close to the beach just right there in front. Wonderful Dana Point city. Excellent sandwiches can find here. I check out Tutor&Spunky’s deli. I love veggie sandwich here with gluten free. I have never find this sandwich any where just here in Tutor&Spunky’s deli . The salad also outstanding taste. Travel people don’t know much Dana Point not thing compare this City location. I will come back this city any time I can. My 1st Chioce in my calendar.
Written August 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reign68
Rancho Cucamonga, CA591 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
Me and my husband drove to Dana point to get away from work. Visited city of Dana point which is one of my favorite place in Orange County. Sitting on the sand and breathing ocean fresh air was a relaxing. Not too crowded and clean Beach. Required to pay for parking which was ok .
Written June 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trail27488116554
Brooklyn, NY2 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
My kids got pulled out by ripped currents today. Thanks to the two lifeguards that rescued them back to shore in lightening speed. I saw them ran out a couple more times after too. Excellent job for keeping everyone safe!
Written July 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are they strict on the 8 persons max occupancy?
We have 9. Four adults and five kids. Well, one of the kids is an adult now, so I guess 5 adults and 4 kids. We don't have an RV to hide anyone in as we are driving and tent camping.
Thanks.
Written March 10, 2023
Am I allowed to spearfish there and if so do you access the water by the rocks to spearfish?
Written December 2, 2022
Am I allowed to spear fish there? And is so do I go through the rocks to enter the water to spearfish?
Written December 2, 2022
Can you stay overnight in the south lots? I always see RV's and trailers there early morning and they appear to have been set up all night. Is there a way to stay there in your RV for a night without struggling to get a reservation in the campground which are non existent
Written March 7, 2022
Do you really have to wear the face mask while you are sitting on the this particular beach?
Written June 24, 2020
My family and I were there in mid June and didn't have to. They recommend that you maintain social distancing but that was all.
Written June 24, 2020
I am not from CA, but the state requires the use of mask. Normally, in other places, you can take it off for outdoor activities. My recommendation: have your mask with you and keep the social distance
Written June 24, 2020
Hi Steve,
Maybe you can help us. we have been trying for over 4 months and nothing. I can not stretch enough how stressful this has bee for us. We will love to have a beach ceremony, we have called several places, and because we will not be having a reception they will not give us the time of day.
All we are looking for a someone to please help us and possible guide us to the correct direction .
Can you please help.
was a permit required and if so where do we obtain one?
how many people are allowed in the ceremony?
how soon do you have to book in advance?
Thank you so much for your time.
Sonia
Written June 8, 2018
I know there is a venue on the north side of doheny Best baby Beach that I have been to for events. Safer on that side then the main part of doheny...
Written June 23, 2018
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