Set in Orange County, Dana Point’s beaches and coastline are consistently named among the best in Southern California. So, if you’re looking for a getaway by the SoCal coast, this is the place to be. Stay for a weekend, an entire week, or a month (or two) in a beachfront hotel or rental, and try out the local activities. Go surfing at Salt Creek Beach, check out the views at Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area, wine and dine at Dana Point Harbor, or search for tide pools and caves at 1000 Steps Beach. If you’re lucky, you might witness a pod of whales during their annual migration. Need a place to stay? Check out the best beachfront hotels in Dana Point, California, below.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and location with easy access to beach. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 11, 2024.
1. Best Western Plus Dana Point Inn-by-the-Sea (from USD 149)
Located right along the legendary Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point Inn-by-the-Sea is also right across the entire length of Doheny State Beach. Simply cross the street and you’re already on one of Dana Point’s most popular beaches. Each guest room already comes with a full breakfast, which you can enjoy on your balcony if you check into one of the ocean-view suites. A garden and hot tub are available on site, where you can unwind if you don’t feel like playing in the sand.
Best Western Plus Dana Point Inn-by-the-Sea
Address: 34744 Pacific Coast Highway
1.5 km (1.0 mi) from Doheny State Beach
2. Dana Point Marina Inn (from USD 126)
Heading to Dana Point to set sail? Dana Point Marina Inn is your best bet. It’s the only hotel by the harbor and an easy walking distance away from both Baby Beach and Doheny State Beach. All guest rooms and suites at Dana Point Marina Inn have private balconies, some of which feature ocean views, while others have vistas of Dana Point’s cliffs or the hotel’s refreshing pool. Hotel amenities include flat-screen televisions, free WiFi, and well-stocked mini-fridges.
Dana Point Marina Inn
Address: 24800 Dana Point Harbor Drive
1.03 km (0.7 mi) from Doheny State Beach
Other beachfront accommodations
3. Contemporary beach home with a private beach (from USD 2427)
Asia meets Southern California in this sunny and spacious home right on the beach, in one of Dana Point’s most prestigious neighborhoods: Capistrano Beach. The property is perfect for large groups or those who just want plenty of space. There are five bedrooms spread across the home, a loft, plus seven bathrooms. Claim one of the daybeds outside as your throne throughout your stay and get that perfect tan. Should you feel the need to bathe in the ocean, all you need is to cross to the private beach.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
very nicely equipped - great kitchen bathrooms grill/outdoor areajust about everything one may need for a comfortable living was available in this houseRead more reviewsHost:
the owner was very helpful and availablethe owners were very nice and accommodatingthe owners were wonderful and very responsiveowners are fantastic lovely home and very well provisioned thank you for a great week
4. Oceanfront condo with million-dollar vistas (from USD 525)
Up a cliff is where you’ll want to be in Dana Point. Here, you’ll get unobstructed views of the beaches and the Pacific Ocean. Located near Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom property features a front deck, which is the best spot in the house to enjoy sunsets and whale-watching. There’s also an outdoor living room where you can lay back with a glass of champagne in hand or enjoy an alfresco meal. From here, you’ll have access to beach and nature trails, leading you to places that will make you believe the best things in life are absolutely free.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we didn’t want to leave our new found paradise well appointed everything - kitchen cable internet sheets and towelsCleanliness:
great location and property was clean and well appointedRead more reviewsLocation:
great location a short distance from downtown dana pointthe location is superb close to everything plus great trailstruly an amazing place and an ideal destination for a break from any hustle and bustle
5. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel (from USD 819)
If you’re after the ultimate luxury experience in Dana Point, none can top The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. It’s located steps from both Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach and Salt Creek Beach. From here, one of the best surfing spots in Dana Point is literally your playground. Take one of the winding ocean paths and you’ll find yourself down at the beach, or why not settle yourself in a comfortable chaise lounge up the cliff and enjoy the commanding views? The Ritz-Carlton hotel also has its own eco-adventure center that can help you arrange those whale-watching tours Dana Point is well-known for.
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Address: One Ritz-Carlton Drive
3.45 km (2.2 mi) from Doheny State Beach
6. Bright and modern condo with direct beach access (from USD 357)
This cozy two-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is located in The Strand at Headlands, one of Dana Point’s exclusive beachfront communities. And so, staying here comes with access to the private Strand Beach, away from crowds of tourists. You can enjoy the beach from the condo’s large patio, the best spot in the house to wine and dine or wind down with a book in hand. From here, the condo opens to the living and dining areas and open kitchen. This property sleeps four people, with the main bedroom having a king-size bed and the second bedroom equipped with a queen-size bed.
7. Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort and Club (from USD 658)
If you’re after an elevated and upscale Dana Point experience, why not stay at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort and Club? Perched on top of a large bluff overlooking the Pacific, you’ll get breathtaking vistas of the ocean whether you’re playing golf or hanging out in your suite. Salt Creek Beach is right across Pacific Coast Highway from the sprawling resort. This AAA Five-Diamond destination has several fine-dining restaurants on site and an array of world-class facilities.
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club
Address: One Monarch Beach Resort
3.55 km (2.3 mi) from Doheny State Beach
8. Casa Vista (from USD 334)
Casa Vista boasts spectacular views of the surf and the Dana Point coastline. From the property’s patio, it’ll be easy to feel like the king or queen of the world. Casa Vista has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus an open-concept layout that connects the living, dining, and kitchen areas. Out in the patio, there’s a grill you can use to prepare juicy steaks or barbecue for your amazing sunset dinners. Best of all, from here, the beach is just down the path.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
i love that jill provides wireless internet and tv with plenty of channelshaving a ceiling fan in the main bedroom was really greatthe walls are paper thin so it sounded like the construction was in our roomthe kitchen was great for cooking dinner well stocked and great lightCleanliness:
the condo was exceptionally clean and wellmaintainedthe condo was clean with very comfortable beds (and i am pickyunit was very clean and comfortable and the views were amazingRead more reviewsHost:
the owners were wonderful to deal with responding quickly to our questionsthe owner jill was greatjill was very responsive to make sure we had everything we neededshe stopped by and i enjoyed chatting with her about the area (very helpful)a kind hostess with integrity this was my biggest issue
9. Clifftop condo with amazing ocean views (from USD 425)
Hear the waves crash down the surf below at this beautiful clifftop condo near one of Dana Point’s gems, Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area. From the balcony, on a clear day, you’ll easily make out Catalina Island or even watch pods of dolphins swim and play in the ocean. If you wish to get closer, you’re in luck– this property also has direct beach access. In terms of essentials, this custom condo has it all; two spacious bedrooms, a bathroom, mahogany cabinets and woodwork, a commercial gas grill out in the limestone patio, and a fireplace.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
amazing view comfortable and great bbq area for diningthe kitchen was fully stocked and the back patio had a great bbqfantastic location with stunning ocean views and sunsets very clean and comfortable tooRead more reviewsLocation:
super beach property and locationfantastic loved everything about this property & this locationyou truly would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful location than this placei love dana strands beach and being this close to it was pure heaven
10. Elegant beach condo with gourmet kitchen (from USD 320)
This beach condo in Monarch Beach is a family-friendly accommodation that can sleep up to six people. It has two bedrooms, one of which features a California king-sized bed. Staying here will give you access to a slew of resort-style amenities. The location is also enviable; Strand Beach, a plethora of dining options, and other Dana Point attractions are all an easy walking distance away.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
comfortable bedding and plenty of room for our family of fourCleanliness:
the condo is tastefully decorated and extremely cleanHost:
the owners are very responsive prompt to answer questions and the transaction went without a hitchRead more reviewsLocation:
what a great location and comfortable condoa quick walk down to the bluff to watch romantic sunsets while drinking winei like walking and there is a lot of entertainment within an easy stroll---restaurants bars golf
Taste the good life at Dana Point
Visit Dana Point, stay in one of these beachfront hotels or rentals, and find out for yourself why novelist Richard Henry Dana, Jr. (for whom Dana Point was named after) crowned Dana Point as “the only romantic spot on the coast.” And in the process, see and experience more of the city by checking out events like Tall Ships and, of course, whale watching all year round. For more of Dana Point, book any of the beachfront hotels and properties above.
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