Doheny State Beach – South Beach
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About Doheny State Beach – South Beach in Dana Point, California
The South Beach of Doheny State Beach is on the south side of San Juan Creek in Dana Point, CA. This southern area of the state park has a large campground and a long day-use parking area. The beach here is long and narrow, however it’s easy to find a spot to enjoy somewhere along this expanse. The view west from here looks over San Juan Bay and the Dana Point Harbor jetties to the Dana Point Headlands. There are lifeguards, picnic tables and fire rings provided along South Beach, but it doesn’t have grass lawns and shaded picnic areas like North Beach does. There is a freshwater lagoon at the creek mouth which divides the two sections of Doheny. This is a great birding spot. At the south end of the beach volleyball courts are sometimes set up where Capistrano Beach Park begins.
The main entrance to Doheny State Beach is at the intersection of Park Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive. You’ll have to pay for parking if you enter there. If you want free parking for day-use of South Beach, just look for spots along Coast Highway near the tall pedestrian overpass which drops you at about the mid-point of the beach.
- Address
- 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629 - Park Name
- Doheny State Beach
- Owner
- State Park
- Pet Details
- No dogs allowed on the beach
- Fees
- Fee for parking in state park, but free parking on Coast Hwy
- Activities
- Fishing, Camping, Volleyball, Bonfires, Birdwatching, Sunbathing, Beach Walking
- Amenities
- Campground, Lifeguard, Picnic Tables, Fire Pits, Rentals, Restrooms, Showers, Lagoon


Nearby Beaches
Capistrano Beach Park
0.4 miles away
Capistrano Beach Park is the main beach in the community of Capistrano Beach (“Capo Beach”) in Dana Point, CA....
Doheny State Beach – North Beach
0.7 miles away
Doheny State Beach has two separate beaches and day-use areas – north and south. This North Beach is located...
Dana Point Harbor Beach (Baby Beach)
1.6 miles away
Dana Point Harbor Beach, better-known as “Baby Beach,” is located on the protected waters of Dana Point Harbor. This...
Nearby Attractions
Dana Point Whale Watching Tours
0.9 miles away
Dana Point Whale Watching Tours take off from Dana Point Harbor, the pride of the Southern California small craft...
Nearby Lodging
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