Fireworks, Food and Jet Skis—Oh My! Dana Point Has All Your Fourth of July Fun

Celebrate the Biggest Holiday is the USA, Cali Style

Written By: Elizabeth Morris  Dana Point’s Fourth of July Celebration

With surf, sand and sunshine, what better way to spend your summer than at the beach? On America’s most patriotic day of the year, the beach is the perfect place to beat the summer heat while celebrating your country’s independence. Spend the week of Independence Day at Dana Point Harbor to enjoy ocean activities, waterfront dining, boating, and the spectacular Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza.

From kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, boating, sailing and fishing, your family and friends are bound to find an activity that piques their interests. Learn more about the Pacific Ocean and its marine life at the Ocean Institute. Boats can be rented at the Embarcadero Marina, while Westwind Sailing has sailboats and paddleboards. Jet skis and kayaks can be rented from Capo Beach Water Rentals or Pure Watersports, and for those unintimidated by heights, visit Dana Point Parasailing. If you want a classic Fourth of July cook out, Baby Beach has first come first serve grills in their picnic area.

Take a break from the heat and participate in Dana Point’s annual Independence Day “water war.” Participants can rent or bring any form of water transportation for the all-day event and should come armed with water guns, Super Soakers, hoses or even a bucket. Be prepared for an epic war on the harbor’s waterways, and live to tell the history of The Water Battle of Dana Point Harbor.

You can wrap up your evening with dinner and a show. The harbor has over a dozen restaurants, many of which have a waterfront view, for a convenient place to refuel for the evening’s activities. On the Fourth of July, Gemmell’s Restaurant is offering a three course dinner special at $25 a person from 2-7 p.m. Other notable restaurants include The Harbor Grill, El Torito, Wind & Sea and The Brig.

Watch the harbor sky transform into a colorful canvas during the Fireworks Extravaganza starting at 9 p.m. Enjoy South Orange County’s best aerial fireworks display at Dana Point Harbor, whether beachside or on a fireworks cruise. To enhance the fireworks experience, visitors can tune into KSBR 88.5 FM to hear patriotic music in-sync with the display.

There are three boat companies hosting cruises, The Ocean Institute, Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, and Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari, and prices vary for each. Capt. Dave’s offers a display cruise, Dana Wharf has a dinner cruise, a display cruise and a curlew sailboat fireworks cruise, and you can enjoy wine, beer and light snacks on the Ocean Institute’s sunset cruise. Since seating is limited on the boats, a reservation is needed.

Dealing with traffic jams is a part of daily life in Orange County. To help alleviate traffic congestion, visitors are invited to use the free shuttle service that will make trips from Dana Hills High School to the harbor with stops throughout Dana Point along the way. The buses will run from 10 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. on the Fourth of July, but will be briefly suspended at 9 p.m. for the fireworks show. Additional road closures and detours will take place throughout Dana Point, making the shuttle system a promising alternative.

Dana Point Harbor
34555 Street of the Golden Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.923.2255
Dana Point is Going to Be Lit This Fourth of July

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