Event Calendar - 2012

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 11 (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 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

Saturday, March 10 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

Whale of a Beach Cleanup

Let’s celebrate the return of the majestic migratory Gray whales by getting that debris off the beach before it washes out to sea to pose a threat to marine life. The cleanup is from 9:00 am-Noon. We meet at the Lifeguard Headquarters and don’t forget those gloves.

Sunday, March 11 (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

Doheny State Beach Mobile 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 promenade from 10:00 a.m.– 3:00 pm.

Sunday, March 11

4th Annual Grunion Run

Hey all of you runners and walkers! Doheny needs your help to raise funds for our interpretive programs with either a 5 or 10K run (or walk) through Doheny State Beach. For information, please visit the Grunion Run web site. Proceeds benefit the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association...thank you for supporting your hometown California State Park.

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APRIL

Saturday, April 7

21st Annual Grunion Night

Join us as we greet the grunion back another year!  This evening program includes a slide-show presentation featuring grunion (and other marine life mysteries) and then wraps up with the actual grunion run.  The program begins at 9:30 p.m. Please 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, April 14 (8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

Doheny Wood

Start your springtime Southern California style by visiting the annual Doheny Wood at Doheny State Beach!  Woodies start lining up in the south day-use area at 8:00 a.m. and begin departing at 3:00 p.m.  Don’t miss out on this fun-filled day!

Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup Projects

Saturday, April 14 (9:00 a.m. to Noon)

Earth Day Native Tree Planting Project

Help us celebrate Earth Day Doheny-style by planting some indigenous trees and shrubs around the park!  Please call for additional information. Thank you for bringing along working gloves and your favorite shovel.  Thank you California State Parks Foundation!

Saturday, April 21 (9:00 a.m. to Noon)

Earth Day Beach and San Juan Creek Cleanup

Let’s clean San Juan Creek, the beach and the jetty 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 at the clean beach. Thank you Starbucks!

MAY

Saturday-Sunday, May 19 & 20

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. Please call (949) 496-2704 for the start date when we get nearer the summer.

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JULY

Wednesday, 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 at 10:00 pm. Remember, no fireworks are allowed!

Thursday, 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!!

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AUGUST

Saturday, August 4

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 about this event, www.danaoutrigger.net.   

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SEPTEMBER

Saturday & Sunday, September 8 & 9 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

Doheny Days

Omega Events brings back this autumn-time music festival featuring a wide range of 2-day musical talent. Don't miss out as last year's line-up was incredible! Thank you for purchasing tickets at Doheny's Gift Store as proceeds benefit the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association which, in turn, supports the park's year-round interpretive programs. For information, please visit www.omegaevents.com.

Saturday, September 15 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

28th 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 a.m. - 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.

Date To Be Determined

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 and don't forget to bring the children to the Kid's Zone! For more detailed information, please go to the Event's website.

OCTOBER

Saturday, October 20 (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 24 (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 a.m. – 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.