The 30 best parks and gardens in Dana Point

again, I'm not your typical reviewer who gives out 5 stars like free bottle water... it must meet all categories for a park to be considered superb. 1. ample parking! and also for motor home and trailers 2. Great walk paths within the park and extending south to capristrano beach, in and put of the water canal trails leading to mission viejo. for all bikers, Joggers runners and walkers. 3. a great eatery thats seeves beer and drinks and local plates right on the besch front. 4. tables and grills are widely available 5. life guard stations manned and ready 6. break water that's accessible and provides extraordinary views sounds and resting points. 7. for all ages, kids adults and for seniors. 8. surfing, paddling, swimming and sunbathing 9. downtown area provides places to grab some grub siteseeing , and window shopping 10. couple hours of entertainment for the family or by yourself a strong 4.5 to 4.75 missing... beach firepits, water fountains and more shower spots closer to the beachfront .

We had such a wonderful time at Doheny State Beach! We came with our 3-year-old son and it was the perfect spot for a family day. The beach is clean, safe, and easy to access. The waves near the shore are gentle, which made it great for little ones to splash and play without us worrying. There are plenty of picnic areas with shade, which made snack time and breaks really comfortable. Our son loved running around in the sand and watching the surfers further out in the water. The bathrooms were well-kept and convenient to get to, which is always a huge plus with a toddler. We also appreciated the family-friendly atmosphere—lots of other kids and families enjoying the day, but it never felt overcrowded. It’s such a relaxed environment, and parking was simple too. We’ll definitely be coming back. Doheny State Beach is now one of our go-to spots for a safe, fun, and stress-free beach day with our little one! 🌊☀️👶

We stopped there during our morning walk to the beach, and while used to the coastline beaches, we really enjoyed our time here. Besides being conveniently located within Dana point, it has a decent surf spot, highly frequented though and a few good amenities (picnic area, toilets…) - there is also a large paid parking in case you drive down there.

Beautiful beach, clean, safe and easily accessible. The waves are not too strong and there are some volley ball courts on the smaller side of the beach. Picnic tables are on the lawn side. Great spot!

There is a lot to love about this beach. Super clean restrooms, easy access to the cafe, loads of picnic tables and bbq pits, and more. We absolutely loved our time here and will be coming back. The only knock is the beach is very rocky if you plan to get into the water you need booties.

Beautiful clean place. The staff here is on the money when it comes to keeping the areas maintained along with the people. No craziness here. Everyone kept to themselves and maintained a great environment for everyone

Spent the night in my van at the campground. I had a doctors appointment in Laguna and instead of driving home, hour and a half, I spent the night and metal detected. I had a front row, closest to the water, about $75. Worth every penny. I managed to get about $3 back metal detecting 😂😂 _/🚶🏽.

This is my favorite place to go. It helps me recharge and just enjoy the view.

It is a very pretty pretty harbor and great to walk for your health, while enjoying the scenery. But you do have to pay for parking.

We visited Dana Point Harbor while we were staying at the Waldorf Astoria Resort. It was nice walking around the harbor, shopping, eating, and seeing a bunch of boats. There is a lovely park at the harbor as well, so we got to see a bunch of dogs while we were there which was fun. It was nice to see people out and about on water and on land. If you are looking for a nice place to walk around in Dana Point, the harbor is a great place to go.

My favorite place to relax! Animal life watching, walking paths, and peaceful waters.

An awesome place to visit. Good landscape and clean.

Fairly easy to get to and fairly laid back for a socal beach spot. Parking can be hard to find during events and summer weekends. Come early for parking.

Great place to take care of the day. Beach pass.

This is a nice visitor center here, that has a lot of information about the surrounding areas here. This is also the trailhead used to access the trails in the preserve area.

The Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center is a fantastic destination, featuring a knowledgeable and friendly team dedicated to educating visitors. It's a wonderful place for kids to learn about nature in an engaging and fun way. The center offers various exhibits and activities that make learning enjoyable, ensuring a memorable experience for the whole family. After exploring the center, you can also enjoy the nearby trail, which offers stunning views and a relaxing atmosphere. It's essential to always stay on the trail to preserve the natural habitat and ensure a safe experience for everyone. Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge or simply have a good time, this center and trail are great choices.

Me and my group stopped here to check it out and go to the restroom. They were very welcoming and happily invited us inside. They had many little exibits, each with their own information about the land and animals around them. Many fun kid activities. The is a trail path that you can walk to find animal information and have an amazing very of the ocean. It's a silent and calming place to hang out, and very clean. 10/10

Perfect for toddlers, but not stroller kids as the path is sandy and narrow. The area has guarded pathway which is not for extreme hiking or trail running. I liked the interpretive nature path for having a chill way to get amazing views of the marina and Pacific. It was a great investment of 1.5 hours.

Beautiful place for a hike! We arrive at 7:50am on a Saturday. As of right now, the trail through the preserve is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 8am-4pm. This is because the preserve is home to an endangered mouse, and the staff noticed it thrives during Covid closures. Understandable. No dogs on the trail for the same reason. There’s parking at the interpretive center as well as bathrooms, which were open before staff came, yay! The trail is all sand, so after our hike I had to bang the sand out of my shoes and socks. Just a heads up. The ocean view is gorgeous! We saw sea lions and pelicans. No whales, sadly. Definitely recommend bringing binoculars. There are several lookouts, and most of them have a bench to sit and enjoy the view.

Just yo the street from incredible views of the Dana point Marina and parking for a small trail. It has bathrooms and free parking. If does close at 4p tho.

Amazing trails with amazing views! Highly recommend the hilltop trail to the Northeast, it loops all the way around and back down to the bluffs to Southwest. Use the trail maps, they're great!

What an awesome little trail! Beautiful scenery, overlooking the bay with all those boats and yachts anchored around. Beautiful panoramic views all around with trail off shoots that bring to surface streets.

I was looking for spots in Dana Point with great views! This did not disappoint! Started in a residential area and made it down to Doheny Beach and walked along the harbor. Gorgeous cliffs, houses and historical places.

Dana Point Bluff Top Trail is an absolute gem for anyone looking to enjoy breathtaking coastal views and a peaceful walk. The trail is short and manageable, making it perfect for all ages and fitness levels. What makes this spot truly special is its panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, especially during sunset – it’s like walking through a postcard! The trail is well-maintained, with a few benches along the way to sit and soak in the scenery. Whether you’re looking for a quick solo escape, a romantic stroll, or a place to bring visitors, this spot has it all. Parking is convenient, and the surrounding area is beautiful as well. If you’re in Dana Point, don’t miss this trail – it’s a perfect blend of relaxation, natural beauty, and coastal charm. Highly recommend!

Beautiful view of port, lovely small walk with stairs that connects 2 sides. There is a small arches as well.

A very beautiful and short walk to see panoramic views of Dana Point.

Absolutely beautiful place to visit. The homes around this trail are beautiful and the view is breathtaking. We parked in the dead end street called Amber Lantern and walked through the short trail of stairs to the neighborhood on El Camino Capistrano street to the nearby Heritage Park. Many people do this and it's worth the short walk through the neighborhood. You must visit this place!

I had a wonderful experience on this quaint trail with steps. If you're up for it, you can stroll down from there. The viewpoint offers stunning road and house views, along with a lovely beachy atmosphere. Parking is available on the road. You can easily access different points from here, each offering picturesque sights that are perfect for capturing beautiful memories. Highly recommended!

Beautiful clifftop view of the Dana Point Marina below. Beautifully landscaped and maintained.

Extremely beautiful area, with lots of breathtaking views.if you come drive through the neighborhoods or walk. We parked and walked around such a well-kept area, friendly people. I enjoyed seeing how other people live and where they live. So amazing I sure hope my pictures and videos help you decide to visit.

Beautiful vantage point on the hill above the marina. A few benches if you'd like to stay awhile.

What a view! Lovely spot that gives a fantastic overview of the harbor. Colorful gallery elephants are just around the corner 🐘

Beautiful day and the park was preparing for a wedding. Great place to have a celebration. The ocean was particularly blue the thunderheads were colorful in the distance and there was a light breeze. No restrooms here or play equipment. Dog friendly. We enjoyed a picnic

there is plenty of parking available here which was awesome to see when driving up to the location. i noticed a ton of people with picnic baskets and blankets to just lay on the grass with. it's a great spot to spend some time in the sun enjoying the views.

Wow! Take a few minutes out of your schedule and just have a look. Relax and go for a walk. Absolutely one of the best views in the area.

It was my first time visiting this park, and I found it to be beautiful, with stunning views overlooking the harbor. The park features bathrooms and a sitting area with a grill, making it a perfect spot for picnics and relaxing on the lovely lawn. I definitely recommend it! The only drawback is the parking situation; you have to park on the street.

Very beautiful park with a great view of the harbor and the horizon. The playground is safe. There is no parking you need to park on the streets.

This was a great little spot! If you’re hanging out at the beach, definetly head up and check out this park, there’s a nice little trail with great views of the harbor.

One of my top 3 spots in Dana point. Def one of my go tos when I need to Revv down and soak in Gods beautiful creation. Helps me to appreciate the simplicity of life and all I have to be thankful for. The views are breath taking and the cool breeze does wonders for my soul. Sometimes I will walk here in the morning as the sun breaks and it just takes my breath away (cue the Berlin song!). I plan to propose here to my future wife. Shhhh… don’t tell her ;) lmao. Thankful for the spot. There is a decent bathroom and a few parking spots here. You can walk down to the beach or harbor from here and get ur steps in ;)

A great place for a pic-nic, relax in the grassy areas under the shade of numerous trees or to practice yoga overlooking the Dana Point Harbor and blue Pacific Ocean.

Views are beautiful, bathrooms clean, grass nice- playground small for my 8, 9, 11 year olds, but littles would probably stay busy longer. Our kids were happy to play in the grass and watch the boats come in.

Wonderful place, amazing views, but horrible parking. Parking is limited and there’s not much to be done.

Beautiful park, lots families picnicking but lots of sketchy people around, especially by the bathrooms. Seems like a great place for community events since it has a stage.

Great Historical park with a handful of people & some cool Shops with a bunch of Historical business around perimeter closes at sun down..

Great park. Beautifully remodeled several years ago. We used to take the kids here whenever we went to SJC, but don’t go as frequently now due to all the homeless that hang out at this park, sleeping and urinating within view. It doesn’t feel safe, especially for my wife when she’s alone with the kids.

Pay to park at a public park funded in part by taxpayers. What a disgrace

Beautiful park in the historic area with open space, native plants, picnic areas, and a playground. Don't miss the butterfly 🦋 garden. It works...there are Monarch Butterflies. Plenty of free parking accessible from the western edge of the park.

Playground, horse trail, public bathrooms, and a large parking lot.

Children's play area with equipment. Decent number of parking spaces in a dirt lot. There are picnic benches at the park too. Nice open space that is near train station and historical district.

This has to be one of the most beautiful parks in California that I’ve been to! The hillside, and the view, the beauty and the open lawn makes it a perfect place for a picnic. So beautiful!

Driving up the freeway, we googled somewhere to picnic and Heritage park at Dana Point was suggested. When we got there, we parked very close and had a picnic on the bench in the sun. We thought there were going to be tables, but there were none. The views were magnificent.

Nice clean park to walk around or hang out. Walked here from Dana Point Bluff Top Trail, which is about a block away. Have plenty of stairs and walking paths. This park even has a small gated area for dogs, not huge but is available for them. Grass is kept up nicely.

Great place for a walk with some areas for viewing the ocean side. The walking trail at this park is a switchback and very relaxing. The grass areas are a slope but can be walked on for some serious decline/incline workout. I saw some people being their dogs and some people hanging out on the more flat areas of the grass to read. There is some parking here but not much but it the park connects with adjacent residential areas so you might be able to find more parking on the streets or just park far away in one of the free public parking garages then walk all the way over here to this park. It's worth the visit!

Beautiful,clean park. Nice to walk around and stretch your legs on long trips

Never found a restroom. Limited parking. Great views.

What a nice park. Easy free parking, great access. Dog park is not much but is available. Lots of families. Great shade spots. The views of the harbor and ocean are beautiful. My one complaint would be the kids on electric bikes , especially the damage they due to the grass areas and the recklessness around dogs.

Plenty of space. There's a good size playground for kids and a small play area for toddlers. Large grass area with lots of trees. Since it's in a more elevated area it can get a little chilly on a cloudy day.

my favorite park in Dana Point, other than the beaches. I'm a birder and really like the "natural area" at the south end of the park. Lots of good birds there and you can get away from the lawn, dogs, people. We have nesting red-tailed hawks which makes the late spring super fun. Great for kids- there's a playground, dogs-there's a dog park, and all kinds of activities.

Great park! Beautiful grass. Dog fun zone is bark dust but larger than Crystal Cove and Heritage Park dog areas. Lovely area with picnic tables and a playground. Individual outdoor restroom stalls with outdoor hand washing station with soap and paper towels. Not very busy on weekdays usually, as you can see from the photos. Plenty of free street parking.

Excellent climbing structures and maintained very well . Friendly crowd and neighborhood kids . Great for our 3 year old who loves to climb.

Excellent play structure, swing set, climbing rock, green space to sit and picnic, sidewalk all around for kids to cycle/scooter. Partially gated on the side closest to the road, so very safe kids won’t run into the street. Always lots of lovely people to chat with while kids play

This park has a beautiful Monarch butterfly sanctuary. Fun place to wall, go thru the tunnel and you are at Salt Creek Beach.

Great park to set a small group of 15/20 people’s for family and friends meeting.

This is a nice park not far from the I-5 and also the PCH. It looks well maintained with what looked like a baseball diamond (but could have been softball, probably too big for little league}, basketball and tennis. Someone had even adapted a court for pickleball. The park was clean and well maintained, but we merely used it to access the San Juan Creek Bicycle Path. It is a paved path that goes from the coast inland for at least 7 miles and connects with several other marvelous trails. We rode in the morning and then picked a table on the beach for a light lunch. This park was about a mile from the beach. I think there is a sewage treatment plant between this park and the ocean. There was a slight odor on the bike trail, but not in this park This park was lovely and a breath of fresh air on the sunny January Monday morning of our visit.

A nice park for starting a bike ride or hike on the San Juan Creek Trail. It also has other things like a tennis/pickleball court and basketball at the park

Nice park tucked away in Dana Point

Beautiful place for a morning work out in the fresh air!

Just 2 words my childhood for most my life I have been close to this park abt a 40 second walk from me and it’s a great park basketball courts, handball/ tennis courts 3 baseball fields, batting cages, and a playground

This park is small, it's mostly a tennis recreation center, has 2 handball courts, 2 tennis courts and one full basketball court that was used for paddle courts on Sunday. This place definitely gets used

Cool bridge, easy to get to, but not much else around. I had come thinking there'd be a cool little hike or something, but just the bridge. Really cool bridge though!

Great overlooks, easy trails to walk for sweeping ocean and harbor views.

Took my kids here to watch the sunset and they love walking the trail. You can see animals in the brushes and it’s actually good exercise for them. The trail is closed at sunset. We go normally go down to the harbor and small beach but this park is worth stopping for them.

One of the great free things to do. Ample parking at the marina and marine science learning center puts you right at the beginning of the beach and jettie entrance point. Low tide provides access to the many tidal pools where you can see lots of marine life. There are also several miles of sidewalks throughout the park for an easy stroll.

This park offers great views with a short trail that gives a great scope to the entire coastal area. As a great place and I would absolutely recommend it!

One of my favorite park and beach. I love it the most in the winter time.

Nice place to fish open all night and so many beautiful experiences to enjoy

One of the most beautiful places in Dana Point. The tidepools are amazing and the beach is gorgeous.

Went to the top of the hilltop park. Parking was roadside. Mesmerizing views of the pacific. It was quite chilly around 3PM but a must visit place.

A very short walk with spectacular views of Dana Point Harbor and beaches south. It's a view of forever.

Love this place come here twice a month so beautiful love the little trail.

They took away the parking on the ocean side due to an endangered bird. Stay on the path or get a major ticket. Due to endangered species. This bird only lives right there.

Beautiful views on the Pacific Ocean.

Gorgeous views of a gorgeous area.

Great views of the surrounding area and even the islands off the coast, on a clear day. The trail is separated from the surrounding park area which means that you can end up seeing a lot more wildlife than a typical park. In a short 10 minute walk I saw a rabbit and multiple small birds right by the trail.

The residents in this community seem to be very unfriendly. You only stay in your own community all your life? Not going to any other parks?

On a peaceful Sunday afternoon, we visited Capistrano Beach, where I enjoyed a relaxing walk to Palisades Gazebo Park and Pines Park. Pines Park is a small park on a hill where people like to relax and enjoy the ocean view. A quiet, scenic spot—well worth the stop.

Pine 🌲 park is indescribable beautiful place. It’s located 4 minutes by car from the 405 highway 🛣️ at Dana Pointe. Although the park has many pinches, it’s more convenient to bring your own chairs for more setting choices. Parking is free along the adjacent street.

What a wonderful space. If you are in the area, stop by and read a book, let your kids play or just enjoy the cool ocean breeze.

i generally enjoyed this park as it seemed it is cut or in two separate sections. it has one side with a playground and more of a grassy area for kids to play and run around in. the other part that i liked more was flat with benches and over looking the ocean. although, i will be honest with the review being 2 stars because it could be a lot better in a lot of ways but i know there was a section under construction. there was a fence which was broken which could be dangerous and there is also a huge dirt patch with "no trespassing" signs posted all around which i feel they should implement or add to the park but if it's not possible then they should put bushes or something in front of the fencing for a better scenic view of the ocean. there is also not a designated parking lot so some of the people living there will watch you while you park and walk over to the park across the street.

A peaceful park over looking the ocean nestled in the neighborhood where I captured Estrella and Jonas intimate ceremony.

The most stunning park! We used it for our rehearsal and it was so perfect! Plenty of parking. Gorgeous ocean views

It was nice and relaxing. A great place to have lunch if you work nearby. If your planning a picnic also a great place.

Wonderful little neighborhood park!

It's a super nice park with a playground and a small grass hill. It's got a few picnic tables, but doesn't have bathrooms. Always super well kept!

A very nice well maintained park with a beautifully shaded playground.

Loved it

Part of Ladera Ranch.

(Translated by Google) I like to walk and see places. (Original) Me gusta pasear conocer lugares.

Nice clean park with lush green grass, picnic tables and there is a dog park at the top of the park. It is right next to the ocean and it is perfect on a good weather day. They have a central plant pit that is full of roses of every color, which is nice.

Clean park. It may be sunny but a good place for runners/walkers. Nice fields for pets.

Doheny Blues concert was excellent. Very easy access and tons of street parking very close to the venue less than four blocks away. Much better set up than when it was at Doheny State Beach. Best small festival any where. Bar none! The show is the same weekend every year. Is the weekend before Memorial Day weekend.

Very nice park to walk around. The trail loops around Salt Creek Beach on the other side of PCH. Pride of Madeira blooms in April are gorgeous!

This is a good place to see concerts as long as you get there early. Parking can be harsh if you arrive only an hour before the scheduled event.

Great venue for summer concerts!

Such a beautiful park with access to The Waldorf Astoria, Monarch Beach, Salt Creek Beach, and The Ritz Carlton. Large sections of green grass, lots of picnic tables. Not to mention amazing views.

Such a great place to bring your pup! Everyone is so friendly and the dogs are all so playful! I have a big dog mix who still has a lot of puppy energy, this park has so much space to run and play with other dogs! The fenced in area is perfect & clean with plenty of water bowls available on both ends.

Very nice multi use park. The dog park is huge. Parking is limited.

Great park with lots of clean structures. Good parking.

Dog Park Review — Huge space, not far from freeway off-ramp, well maintained, dirt ground, concrete shaded sitting area with tables, tiny separate small dog run, long walk from limited parking lot.

Great little dog park with covered seating area for owners. It is mostly dirt, though, and can get muddy around the water fountain.

This is such a great park. There are 3 seperate playgrounds, a large grass area, a dog park and a bathroom. Unfortunately the parking situation is very limited. It seems the lot is always full. If you manage to find a spot you will enjoy yourself

Love this park, has a dog park area. So you can bring your dog and conviviality with others friendly dogs. Place safety, some trees, chairs, water fountains for dogs. They can be free for a while, socializing, running, playing.

Fun farmers market, great variety of venders. Fresh foods, vegetables, clothes, purses, pet products, art, gumbo, fresh juices, jewelry. Something for everyone!

This is a tiny park centrally located in Dana Point, known for its weekly farmer's market and annual winter festival. It has a few trees, a fountain, a small amphitheater, and is surrounded by local shops and small businesses.

Beautiful place to shop for a little bit of everything,food,flowers,fruit and vegetables and many more 😍😍🤩🤩

Nice small park by Hennessy's and Wine Bistro. They have a farmers market in the parking lot here on Saturday mornings.

Love the farmer's market !! - very friendly people and always something to buy !!

Cool place to chill dog friendly

Stopped here the farmers market. Clean park with lots of spaces to sit down and admire the scenery.

Unbelievable- a free parking lot! And the beach is awesome! The neighborhood is quite opulent and nice to look at. You can even walk through and enjoy what it’s like to be part of that. Awesome trail on the south end.

09.07.24 Orange County owned public park. Dana Point Strand Beach is my go to place to watch sunsets and walk on the water. There's pretty good parking meaning I haven't had any problem finding a place to park. Many come to watch sunset from their cars. Options to walk end to end in the parking lot, or using the funicular (when it's in service) to get down to the beach. It takes about 300 steps to walk down to the beach - good walk down and a good stretch to walk back up to the parking lot. At the beach, there's the really nice and well maintained walkway, or down in the sand - extremely beautiful walk especially on low tide. One of the very best places nature offers and it's absolutely free!!! First time I've seen two poor little bees in the sand - possibly last leg on its journey ❤️

Beautiful place to go for a walk and see the sunset from up hill. Also good for exercising, there are a lot of stairs. Free parking.

Amazing Spot in Dana Point to relax and enjoy a less crowded beach. It is a little hike down to the beach but well worth it.

Such a wonderful park and beach! It seems to be quieter than others in the area and has a nice big (free) parking lot at the entrance. There are washrooms and a rinse off station in the parking lot and a couple of different access points to the beach. On the north side of the lot you can take the stairs down to the walkway/beach or you can use the switchback ramp to the south of the parking lot (it's a couple minutes up the street). The upper walkway is really pretty, lined with palm trees and art and the lower walkway has lots of benches to sit and take in the view! It's such a pretty coastline, definitely worth a visit!

Great parking area. Access to beach and trails. There are many stairs to the beach but I saw a tram available as well. Restrooms were clean. Good vibe 🤩

Yes, the park is nice! It's FREE parking! Dana Point is pretty good for this. One of the best places to watch the sunset. A narrow grassy gentle slope extends between the parking lot and concrete walkway which is mosaiced with ocean colors (transition from beach to deep water) and ocean critters. The view is the beautiful Pacific AND overlooks the multi-million dollar homes so is difficult to see the surf break. In my early day this view was of natural habitat and a trailer park, I kinda miss that. There are garbage cans, bathrooms, and water for people and dogs (and lots of people and dog walkers, surfers, generally cool folk). My Advice: GO DOWN THE STAIRS TO THE BEACH! At low tide and early morning this is the best beach ever. Uncrowded. Good board and body surfing waves, access to the headlands south, and Salt Creek beach north (and a great menu at Young's Beach Shack). Dolphins pods swim by occasionally. For birders seasonally there are snowy plovers, whimbrels, marbled godwits and other shorebirds, and godwits and CA gnatcatchers in the coastal sage around the park. I love Strands Beach and hate to give it away, but....

This place is a hidden gem! Beautiful, natural protected coastal area. The trails are well marked and groomed. The visitors center at the top of the trails is small, but very nice. The staff were all volunteers who were very friendly and knowledgeable. We didn’t have much time to stay, but we learned a lot and really enjoyed it. We will definitely be back!

This park is quite nice and has some groomed trails and some nice ocean views. There is also the visitor center for the park here.

Wonder nature reserve to check out. Everything is very natural. The atmosphere was very calm and collective. I love how they are trying to protect all of the amazing wildlife that surrounds Dana point. Snakes, birds, and mice all inhabit the area, and it's great.

My son paid so I don't know the cost, but we walked to the overlook and back, and it was quite beautiful. Tours cost but the entry fee is very low for just hiking. There is a tiny natural history museum at the crest that shows some local wildlife. We could see Catalina due to the clear air after the recent rain. Everything was closed at sea level on the south side. The sailing ship and museum were closed. Restaurants seemed to be damaged and abandoned from the storms. No explanation could be found anywhere. Lots of disgruntled tourists were trying to find open doors.

We went for a walk down the beach since it was a beautiful day out. We were really trying to get to the caves so we walked as much as we could but I believe we probably had about 10 more minutes of walking. We stopped mid way in a small cave where we got to sit and just watch the waves. It was beautiful to just be surround by all of mother nature.

A very nice walk. I only did one out and back trail that felt loop-adjacent but the end of it was just another street. It was almost a mile. You could see the water spouts from the whales out in the water! Saw a lot of different birds too. Absolutely beautiful.

The views are gorgeous. It's a very easy hike. We were only able to do a small amount of the trail, but what we saw was beautiful. It even says you may be able to spot whales from one area. The trail is wide enough for two people and is fenced off so that you may not explore.

It's a small park. You can spread a blanket and have a picnic with your kids. There are side walks for walking the perimeter. You can walk your dog. It's in a safe residential area. Free on street parking. I would give it a 5 if it had restrooms.

Gr8 park with bathrooms and drinking fountains and picnic tables. It has a play ground for big kids and little kids and a big grassy area for lawn games/sports. There is something for everyone at this park! It is at a super convenient location as well. Definitely would recommend.

Nice and clean park for toddlers and kids and families. There is a playground for toddler, one for kids, a small rock climbing wall, and I think a small sand play area.

Great park overall. It would be nice if it had a little more shade. Don't park near the eucalyptus trees unless you want a bird mess all over your vehicle.

Huge play equipment, a large green area for open area sports, ocean view from a few spots, and off the beaten path. It's a great park! We enjoy going here when we are in the area.

It's a fun park because lots of kids.

We love this park. Nice shade over baby swings, which isn't very common. Has great playgrounds, perfect for kids of all ages. My kids love the treasure hunts on the playgrounds. They recently put in new teeter totter, don't see those very often. Great sand area with two little houses in sand. Great grassy field. Dog park at the back of park is nice, my kiddos love to go by and see the dogs. Park goes back a ways-cute little bridge past basketball courts. Bbqs great, lots of parties on weekends. Bathrooms though, gross.

As a local photographer, I've captured numerous weddings and proposals at the Palisades Gazebo in Dana Point. This venue consistently delivers stunning backdrops and memorable moments.

On a peaceful Sunday afternoon, we visited Capistrano Beach, where I enjoyed a relaxing walk to Palisades Gazebo Park. From the gazebo, you’re treated to a stunning panoramic view of Capistrano Beach and nearby Doheny Beach. A quiet, scenic spot—well worth the stop.

I stopped in Dana Point to watch the big waves that Southern California was getting at the end of Dec 2023. I couldn’t of asked for a better location to capture photos while playing it safe (chose not to park at the beach but up above at the Gazebo) Peaceful setting, seating area in the Gazebo, and Absolutely Stunning - Gorgeous Ocean Views!🌤️🌊🌊 (no restrooms, playgrounds or picnic tables) at this spot

This gazebo is a romantic location that is surrounded with a rose garden, a picture perfect view of the ocean and a place where memories are made. After Estrella & Jonas ceremony we had this place to ourselves.

Beautiful views of the sunset & ocean. Great place to stop for photos.

Beautiful spot to watch the sunset though access and parking are limited so bring your walking shoes or your favorite pedal bike and enjoy the downhill to the beach trail located next to PCH North and South from San Clemente to Dana point.

My nephew and his now wife, had a beautiful wedding ceremony here. It has a spectacular view of the beach and was just perfect for a small celebration.