Richard Henry Dana Jr.
Dana Point was named for American author Richard Henry Dana, Jr., who first caught sight of its majestic bluffs in 1836 following a two-year voyage as a common seaman on the brig Pilgrim. His memoir Two Years Before the Mast documented his journey and love for the area with such passion that the town’s residents were moved to change its name from Capistrano Bay to Dana Point.
To this day, Dana Point continues to draw travelers from around the world to explore its miles of gorgeous Pacific shoreline and partake in exhilarating pursuits on land, sea and air: parasailing, whale watching, deep-sea fishing, golf, nautical history, art and music, museums, and more.