Dana Point has 7.5 miles of coastline with sandy beach, rocky intertidal, rocky subtidal, and kelp forest ecosystems that are rich with animal and plant species diversity.

Marine Protected Areas 

Dana Point’s coastal habitats are designated into three sections of the California State Marine Protected Areas: Doheny State Park, Dana Point Headlands intertidal and subtidal area, and the Niguel State Marine Conservation Area, where it is illegal to take any intertidal marine resources and only certain finfish and invertebrates may be taken under permit.
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Tidepool Interpretive Program (TIP)

The TIP provides an interpretive education program for all visitors to the rocky intertidal areas of the  Dana Point Marine Conservation Area. This program is sponsored by the City of Dana Point in concert with the Ocean Institute.

Terrestrial Resources  

The Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area in the City of Dana Point has a unique setting and mix of habitats that contains over 150 species of native coastal Southern California plants and animals, some of which are rare or threatened species, such as the Pacific Pocket Mouse and Coastal California Gnatcatcher.

The four conservation parks that comprise the nearly 60 acres of the Headlands are Harbor Point Conservation Park, CNLM Dana Point Preserve, Hilltop Conservation Park, and South Strands Conservation Park.

A public trail system, approximately three miles in length, links all the conservation parks and public open space areas of the Headlands.

Pets are NOT allowed on the Headlands trails.

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