Doheny State Beach – South Beach

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

Links

Water Quality
Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps
Tide Chart