FEBRUARY

February - April

Winter-Spring Nature Outings

The winter through spring season is the perfect time of year to explore the tide pools with afternoon low-tides.  Also, it is a good time for looking for migratory natural wonders (whales, birds, and such)!  Please call for listing of additional outings in the park at (949) 496-2704.

Saturday, February 13 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

St. Valentine's Day Love Your Beach Cleanup

Join us for our first Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup of the year as we “love” Doheny back to good health after the runoff from winter rains.  The cleanup is from 9:00 am – Noon.  All beach cleanups meet at the new Lifeguard Headquarters (adjacent to the mouth of San Juan Creek).  Thank you for bringing along working gloves.

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MARCH

City of Dana Point's Annual Festival of Whales

Saturdays, March 6 & 13 (6:00 p.m. at the Campfire Center)

Doheny State Beach Campfire Programs

Learn about some of the majestic creatures that grace the oceans of the world at these evening programs beginning at 6:00 pm. at the Campfire Center.  Please dress for weather and rain cancels.

Sunday, March 14 (Noon - 3:00 p.m.)

Doheny State Beach Traveling Marine Mammal Museum

Visit Doheny’s Whale Walk for an opportunity to see and feel authentic marine mammal artifacts (cool replicas, too!).  Just look for Naturalist Vicki along the Whale Walk from Noon – 3:00 pm.

Festival of Whales Grunion Run – 5K Run and Kids’ 1K Run

The 5K begins at 8 a.m. followed by the Kids’ 1K at 9 a.m. Awards scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Pre-registration is available online at www.festivalofwhalesgrunionrun.com. The Ocean Institute is offering a special program for children of Grunion Run participants from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Children will learn about marine life and the mysteries of the ocean with crafts, tide pool touch tanks, and much more. Register on line at http://www.ocean-institute.org or call (949)496-2274. FREE, pre-run shuttle service will begin at 7 a.m. and will have pick ups from the Ocean Institute, OC Sailing & Event Center and Dana Point Harbor Drive at Golden Lantern. Proceeds to benefit the Doheny State Interpretive Association, a non-profit public benefit corporation. After the Run, hop back on the Festival’s FREE shuttle and join everyone at the Whale of a Pancake Breakfast!

Doheny State Beach Fish-feeding Programs

Please Note: There will be no Fish-feeding programs this year due to the renovation of our Visitor’s Center.  Let's hope the Center is open by summertime!

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APRIL

Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup Projects

Saturday, April 17 (9:00 a.m. to Noon)

Earth Day Campground Native Tree Planting Project

Please help Doheny State Beach continue replanting the campground again this year with an assortment of native trees and shrubs. We're almost finished with the campground and then we'll focus on north day-use by planting some more large trees! This project meets from 9:00 am – Noon.  Thank you for bringing along some type of working gloves and your favorite shovel! This project is made possible through the generous support of the California State Parks Foundation.

Saturday, April 24 (9:00 a.m. to Noon)

Earth Day Beach and San Juan Creek Cleanup

Let’s clean San Juan Creek and the beach in honor of Mother Earth Day.  This project meets at the new Lifeguard Headquarters (adjacent to the mouth of San Juan Creek) from 9:00 am – Noon. Please bring some working gloves and pack up for the whole day!

Saturday, April 24 (Dawn to mid-afternoon)

Southern California Woodie Club and Car Show

Start your springtime Southern California style by visiting the annual Woodie Club and Car Show at Doheny State Beach!  Woodies start lining up the south day-use area at dawn and begin departing in the mid-afternoon.  Don’t miss out on this fun-filled day!

MAY

Saturday, May 15 (beginning at 5:00 p.m.)

Alzheimer’s Association 17th Annual Memory Walk

Registration is from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.; walk starts at 7:00 p.m. For more information go to the Alzheimer's Association or call 1-800-272-3900.

Saturday, May 15 (Gates open at 9:00 p.m.)

19th Annual Grunion Night

Join us as we greet the grunion back another year to the shores of Southern California at this fun annual event.  This evening program includes a 9:45 p.m. slide-show presentation about grunion (and other marine life mysteries) and a glimpse of live grunion...hopefully, which may begin as early as 10:30 p.m.!  Bring along a chair, flashlight, and dress for weather.  This program is for grunion viewing only as the grunion season is closed.  Thank you!

Saturday-Sunday, May 22 & 23

Doheny Blues Festival

Enjoy this 2-day blues music festival on the beautiful north day-use lawn of Doheny State Beach. Please visit www.omegaevents.com for further details of this year’s event.  Thank you for purchasing tickets from Doheny's Gift Store as proceeds benefit the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association which supports Doheny's wide-ranging interpretive programs.

JUNE

Summer Season Interpretive Activities Begin

Please join us for summertime fun State Park style with activities for the whole family!  Junior Rangers during the daytime and Campfire Programs in the evening.  Summer activities begin towards the end of June. Junior Rangers is scheduled to begin Wednesday, July 7.  Thank you for keeping the campground and beach clean!

Saturday, June 12 (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

Surf-A-Rama

Experience surfing culture at its finest with this third annual surf expo featuring a variety of vendors and artists from the surfing industry.  There will also be live music and an assortment of good grub!  This event runs from 9:00 am–4:00 pm.  Don’t miss out!

Saturday-Sunday, June 12 & 13

Dewey Weber Longboard Surf Contest

The Dewey Weber Longboard Surf Contest will be held this year in conjunction with the Surf-A-Rama.  This contest is open to all ages and styles of longboard riding!  For more information, please visit www.deweyweber.com.

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JULY

Saturday, July 4 (Beginning at 9:00 p.m.)

Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza

Start out early in the morning if you’re planning an Independence Day celebration at Doheny State Beach as this is the busiest day of the year!  Doheny’s day-use opens at 6:00 am.  The fireworks show off the barge outside of the harbor begins at 9:00 pm.  Doheny closes a 10:00 pm. Remember, no fireworks are allowed!

Sunday, July 5

Independence Day Aftermath Park and Beach Cleanup

The staff at Doheny State Beach would sure appreciate any help from volunteers to clean up after the masses of picnickers!  This is considered the messiest day of the year. Thank you everyone!!

Wednesday, July 7

Junior Rangers

Scheduled start date for Junior Rangers! More datails will be posted as they become available.

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AUGUST

Date To Be Determined

Whitey Harrison Classic Outrigger Race

Outrigger paddlers from all over California will compete in this long-distance roundtrip race from Dana Point to Laguna Beach.  Cheer them on as they head out to the wild, open ocean to test all their months of training!  For information, www.danaoutrigger.net.   

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SEPTEMBER

Saturday, September 25 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

26th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day

Volunteers will gather in places all over the world to remove trash from the oceans, beaches, watersheds, and beyond.  Doheny will focus on the beach and San Juan Creek. Please join us from 9:00 am-Noon.  We will provide everything, including snacks and water. A special note of appreciation to the City of Dana Point and Starbucks for supporting this annual event.

OCTOBER

Saturday-Sunday, October 2 & 3

Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle

Enjoy the evolutionary spirit of stand-up paddling with this 2-day autumn event.  This contest is open to all levels of stand-up paddling; everything from beginners to children to even a master’s category.  There will even be a variety of surfing industry booths plus interactive activities for the young and old...fun for everyone!

Saturday, October 23 (6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.)

Doheny State Beach Haunted Campground

Don't miss out on Doheny’s most festive event of the year as we transform a section of the campground into a spooky area, an array of educational booths, arts and crafts, a Fun Zone, and other fun activities.  This event runs from 6:30-8:30 pm.  There is no charge for admission; however, a donation of one non-perishable food item per person is greatly appreciated.  Dress those little ones and join us!

NOVEMBER

Saturday, November 27 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

Thanks to the Ocean Beach Cleanup

Everyone is invited to participate in the last Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup of the year as we give “thanks” to the ocean for the year-round joy that it gives to us!  This cleanup meets from 9:00 am – Noon at the new Lifeguard Headquarters (adjacent to the mouth of San Juan Creek).  Thank you for helping Doheny State Beach stay naturally clean!

DECEMBER

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For additional information about other Special Events,
Surf Contests, or Volleyball Tournaments, please contact
Picnic and Special Events Coordinator Denise Estrada at (949) 496-3617.