25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 29629

Introduction

Facilities

Park Information

Rules and Regulations

Introduction

Doheny State Beach is a 62 acre park that offers overnight camping, day use, and a variety of educational programs and special events. Located at the mouth of the San Juan Creek, the Park offers over a mile of sandy beach for swimming and surfing. The Creek itself provides a natural habitat for an abundance of local and migrating shorebirds. Three miles west up the Creek is the San Juan Capistrano Mission, while adjacent to the Park on the north is Dana Point Harbor.

In 1931, landowner Edward Doheny donated this site to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for perpetual public use. Today, Doheny State Beach is also a Marine Life Refuge. The Park's Interpretive Programs emphasize the importance of educating the public in the maintenance and preservation of our natural resources.

The Doheny Beach Interpretive Association' was formed in 1982 to provide a mean's of promoting educational and interpretive activities within the Park. The D.S.B.I.A. encourages the community to become more actively involved in events and programs at Doheny. The Association provides for the maintenance and care of the tide pool, aquariums, and gift shop.

Volunteers and Rangers are on hand to answer any questions you may have about the park and the surrounding area. There is also a gift shop located in the Visitor Center for your convenience. Doheny State Beach offers something for everyone year round. Take advantage of Southern California at its best.

Park Information

• Park Fees
• Activities in the Park
• Interpretive Programs
• Personnel
• Improvements

Total acres: 62
Phone: (714) 496-6172
Fax: (714) 496-9496

Facts in Brief

• Annual Day Use Attendance - 850,000+ visitors
• Annual Camping Attendance - 126,000+ campers
• Annual Visitor Center Attendance - 40,000+ visitors
• Annual Attendance of Interpretive Educational Programs - 20,000+ visitors
• Doheny State Beach received the 1992 California Department of Parks and Recreation Award for Program Excellence in Interpretation.
• In 1995 the Orange County Register named Doheny State Beach as "The Best Camping Site" in an article on The Best of Orange County.

Park Fees

Activities in the Park

To enjoy the park facilities and make your stay an enjoyable experience,
Please:

• Register vehicle at entrance and observe park rules
• Observe speed limit
• Collecting of downed wood is prohibited
• All vehicles must remain on pavement
• Do not attach lines or ropes to plants or trees
• Keep pets on leash of 6 feet or less and off beach area
• Alcohol is confined to the campsite only

Follow these simple safety tips:

• Never swim alone!
• Swim in a lifeguard area during duty hours.
• Long distance swimming is best done parallel to the shore.
• Don't panic if your being pulled off shore by a rip current. Swim toward shore at a 45 degree angle.
• Check with lifeguards on the beach regarding ocean conditions before entering the water.
• Help prevent injuries to yourself and others by reporting unsafe conditions immediately.
• Never dive into shallow water and always exercise caution when swimming in surf.
• Never fake drowning actions or calls for help.
• Keep children off the fire rings as they may contain hot coals.
• Avoid digging deep holes in the sand to prevent cave in accidents.

Remember, please conserve water...thank you!

Interpretive Programs

An emphasis on environmental awareness permeates Doheny's active educational program. Presentations are given both in the Park and outside the Park, at schools, retirement communities, and various other locations. Programs held in the Park include the following:

• Campfire Programs - A variety of programs are presented 3 to 5 times weekly in the Campground Amphitheater during summer season. Programs are presented by Park Personnel as well as Guest Speakers.
• Junior Rangers - This program for children is given Monday through Friday during the summer season. A wide variety of natural history and environmental topics are discussed.
• School Programs - Educational talks are presented to school groups on a variety of topics including Marine Life, Animals, Ecology, Habitat, Birds, and Native Californians.
• Special Programs - The Park organizes and teaches several all day science classes. These programs are conducted at the Park by staff personnel. LA's Best is part of a Program developed by L.A.. Major Tom Bradley for "inner-city kids at risk", that involves 5 different schools in a 'hands-on' learning experience. These programs are also available for local schools. other Special Programs include Grunion Night - slide show and display, Festival of the Whales - slide show, Fish Feeding demonstrations at the tide pool, Bird Watch Walks, and Beach Clean Ups.

Personnel

• State Park Rangers - Trained as Peace Officers, the Rangers provide for the safety of the public and help protect the natural resources of the Park. In addition they are trained in interpretive presentation, and are responsible for many of the educational programs sponsored by the Park.
• Lifeguards - The Lifeguards are trained in First Aid, CPR, and water safety, and help maintain public safety on the beach. They also give aquatic safety talks and rescue demonstrations for the Park's Interpretive Program
• Park Maintenance - The Maintenance crew is responsible for the upkeep of the Park grounds, and keeping the facilities clean and operable.
• Park Aides - The Park Aides work in the entrance kiosk, checking in day use vehicles, overnight campers, and Visitor Center guests. They are responsible for accounting, public relations, and general information.
• Picnic Coordinator - The Picnic Coordinator is responsible for scheduling, accounting, and supervision of all picnic reservations and special events held in the Park. 'In addition, she handles office correspondence and a variety of miscellaneous duties.
• Park Interpreter - The Park Interpreter schedules, organizes, and helps present educational programs sponsored by the Park. She is responsible for publicity, announcements, and bulletins regarding all events.
• Volunteers - Doheny has an active group of volunteers that help with a wide range of activities.
  • Camphosts - The Park has 5 Camphosts, each of whom helps in a specific capacity These duties range from help in the kiosk, and running the Gift Shop, to grounds maintenance, carpentry, and helping with aquarium maintenance.
  • D.S.B.I.A. Volunteers - The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association trains up to 40 Volunteers each year to work in the Visitor Center. The Volunteers run the Gift Shop, and help with educating visitors about the tide pool and aquariums. In addition, they help with Special Events throughout the year. The Interpretive Association hosts a number of trips to other aquariums, and fun events for the Volunteers.

Improvements

In an effort to maintain security and privacy for Park visitors, the Maintenance crew recently replaced the fence along the Park road from the Campground to the end of South Day Use. In addition, there will be a full facility restroom built in the South Day Use area near the overpass bridge in coming months.

The Visitor Center continues to grow, as new displays and marine animals are added to the exhibits. Volunteer activity is at a new high level, as visitor attendance increases. Doheny State Beach is already gearing up for record numbers of campers and day users in 1996.

Facilities

• Visitor Center
• Picnic Reservations
• Programs
  • Ongoing
  • Special Event
  • Programs Being Developed
• Family Camping
• Aquarium

Doheny State Beach offers two large day use areas that can accommodate up to 1,200 vehicles. The North Day Use consists of large grassy areas, tall shade trees, picnic sites, and beaches for surfing and swimming. South Day Use area has 50 fire rings, picnic tables, and large sandy beaches. This area is popular for all day beach parties and evening campfire's.

Visitor Center

Located at the entrance to the Park, the Visitor Center has a tide pool, 5 aquariums, a natural history museum, and a gift shop. Trained volunteers work in the Visitor Center to answer questions and give informal educational talks. Also located in the visitor center is the largest public aquarium in Orange County. Admission to the visitor center is free.

Picnic Reservations

Picnic sites can be reserved for all groups, from small family reunion's to large corporate parties. Picnic areas include tables, pedestal bar-be-ques, and fire rings.

Accommodations for small or large groups (500 guests or more), are available. Facilities include picnic tables, a fire pit and barbecue grills at each picnic site. Our palapa, lush lawns, and beach area are beautiful sites for a romantic wedding by the sea or reception. Reservations can be made by calling (714) 496-3617.

Programs

Ongoing

• Campfire: 3 to 5 nights per week - June through August)
• Junior Ranger: 5 days per week - June through August)
• School: Primarily Sept. through June
  • Tidepool and aquarium viewing and talks
  • Additional talks include Aquatic Safety, Local Birds and Animals, Native Californians, Birdwalks, Beach Clean-Up, Ecology, Habitat, Food Chains, Environmental Awareness.
• Classroom Presentations: given on location at schools, include talks, slide shows, and display tables.
• Outreach: on site presentations at community locations, retirement communities, special request events.
• Other: non-regular activities that are specially scheduled - bike rides, bird walks, clean-ups, fish feedings, etc.

Special Event

The staff of Doheny State Beach would like to extend a cordial invitation to consider hosting your next social event at our beautiful park-by-the sea in scenic Dana Point. Doheny hosts many private special events, as well as a number of annual events including the following:

• L.A.'s Best: Outdoor science workshop for LA's Best Kid~at-Risk program established by Major Tom Bradley. Held on 5 Saturdays in April and May - all day science activities including marine life talks, bird watching, beach clean-up and water safety, and squid dissection.
• All Day Science Workshops: Given to schools by special request - same format as L.A.'s BEST.
• Annual Events: Grunion Night, Festival of the Whales Slide Show, Halloween Ghost Tours.
• Science Fair: Sponsor for local school at District Science Fair - display table and brochures.

Programs Being Developed

• Lobo Lodge/Doheny State Beach Indian Education Program: This program is being developed in conjunction with Capistrano Uniiied School District's Indian Education Program at Richard Henry Dana School in Dana Point. The program will be presented on two levels, in order to accommodate two classes per field trip (approxiniately 60 students per trip). Lobo Lodge, at the school, is a one room museum/exhibit about the American Indian experience. Programs given at the Lodge will be grade-leveled presentations approximately one hour in length. A corresponding program will be held in the Interpretive Center at Doheny, utilizing the tide pool, aquariums and natural history museum. The two presentations will use CUSD's CORE Learning Objectives as a guideline to target learning activities appropriate to the grade level of the attending class.
  Funding for Doheny's participation in the program will be self-sustaining - a sinilar format to the Junior Lifeguard Prograni We will charge $2.00/student which will go into an account for reimbursing program expenses.
  The Indian Education Program has had 150 classes in the District indicate interest in the Prograni Presentations are scheduled to start on January 22, 1996, and continue through June. A maxium of four groups per week will be accommodated, on a first-come, first-served registration basis. Groups will also be given the option to reserve space for lunch at Doheny at no cost, and to have entrance fees waived.
• Doheny State Beach Summer Camp: This program will consist of four separate one week (5 day) camps, to be held during July and August of 1996. The format will be a combination of science learning and water sports. Morning sessions will include hands-on activities utilizing Park personnel and resources. Afternoon sessions will emphasize water safety, and provide basic instiuction in several sports.
  Funding will be a self-sustaining format, and will be generated by a participation fee (yet to be established - most likely in the range of $125 to $150 per person).
  At this time there is the possibility of a 'partnership' with R.H. Dana School, which would allow for mutual use of various facilities. This has not yet been confirmed, but would be favorable in terms of providing learning materials.

Family Camping

Doheny has 122 camp sites including 33 beach front sites, with fire rings, picnic tables, and hot showers. The campground is open year round, and is one of the busiest in the State Park System. Although there currently are no hook-ups in the campground for RVs, there is a dump station and fresh water fill up. The campground has 5 restroom buildings, 2 shower buildings, pay phones and a campfire center with a screen, stage and seating for 200. During the summer, Campfire Programs and Junior Ranger Programs are held daily in the Campground Amphitheater.

Inland

• Reservation period: All Year
• Camping Days Limited (June-September): 7
• Camping Days Limited (October-May): 15
• Campsite Type: D
• Showers?: Yes
• Max. Trailer Length in Feet: 35'
• Max. Moterhome or Camper in Length: 35'
• Fri-Sat Fees: $18

Campsite Fees

Premium Beachfront

• Reservation period: All Year
• Camping Days Limited (June-September): 7
• Camping Days Limited (October-May): 15
• Campsite Type: D
• Showers?: Yes
• Max. Trailer Length in Feet: 35'
• Max. Motorhome or Camper in Length: 35'
• Fri-Sat Fees: $23

Campsite Fees

Aquarium

The Doheny Beach Aquarium is staffed by volunteers and features five aquariums and a tidepool holding over three thousand gallons of water and housing many species of local marine life, including several small sharks and the only threadfin bass fish in existence. In addition, there are displays of local wildlife, a shell collection of California mollusks, interactive displays, whale bones and whaling tools and a gift shop. The aquarium is open from 10am to 4pm on the weekends and 9am to 5pm daily during the summer.

Rules and Regulations for Group Picnics

Picnic Areas A and B

1. The group size requirement is 100 to 500 people per area.
2. Area A has 19 picnic tables; Area B has 11 picnic tables.
3. Each area has 1 large fire ring, 1 large B.B.Q. grill, sink, counters, cold drink bin, and electrical outlets (15-20 amps).
4. Important Information

Non-Refundable Reservation Fees Per Day:

Picnic Areas C and D

1. There is no group size requirement for these beach areas.
2. The cost of the site is determined by the number of people, time of the day, date, and activities.
3. Each area has 1 large fire ring and 6 picnic tables.
4. Important Information

Picnic Areas 1 - 7 and 8 - 13

1. The group size requirement is 25 - 100 people per area.
2. Each area has 6 picnic tables, 1 large fire ring, 4 pedestal B.B.Q.'s - all on concrete pads.
3. Important Information

Areas 5 and 6

1. The group size requirement is 25 people per area.
2. Each area has 4 picnic tables and 4 pedestal B.B.Q.'s - all on concrete pads.
3. Important Information

Non-Refundable Reservation Fees Per Day:

$25.00 per area per day (year-round)

Beach Palapa

The Palapa is located on the beach in front of the snack bar. It is a beautiful location for wedding ceremonies and other types of events. The cost of the Palapa is $225.00 for 4 hours. Alcohol is only permitted in this area with special approval and permit fees. No other amenities are included in the cost.

Food and Alcohol Regulations

Alcohol may be consusned at sites A and B, and sites 1 through 6 with the completion of an Alcohol Waiver Form that is available at Doheny State Beach. The fee is $25.00 for sites 1 through 6 and $100.00 for sites A and B. Food and/or beverages cannot be sold to memhers of your group or to the public. No vehicles are permitted on sidewallis or in picnic areas for loading or unloading of food and supplies. Olitside vendors must check with the Park Itangers to verify the rules of operation within Doheny State Beach.

Parking Information and Fees

Group reservations do not guarantee parking. All parking is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parking fees:

• $ 5.00 per vehicle (normal day-use fee)
• $20.00 per bus (10 - 24 passengers)
• $40.00 per bus (25 or more passengers)

Reservations

Reservations may be made up to one year in advance. An area is not reserved until the reservation fee is received at Doheny Reservations may be made in person or mailed to: Doheny State Beach, located at 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629. Office hours are 8:00-2:00, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. No reservations are accepted for July 4th. Doheny State Beach's picnic reservation phone numer is (714) 496-3617.