$2,432,071Average Value$1,303Average Price per Sq Ft84Homes For Sale
Luxury living in a chill Southern California surf town
Dana Point’s multimillion-dollar homes and luxury resorts might give the impression of an exclusive oceanfront community, but these are fairly recent trends in the city’s history. At its core, Dana Point has always been a laid-back Southern California surf town that’s now getting recognized for its coastal beauty. “The Ritz Carlton and Waldorf Astoria aren’t here by accident. It’s hard not to fall in love with how gorgeous it is here,” says Realtor Suzi Dailey with Realty One Group West, who’s been selling in Dana Point for over 20 years. For much of its history, Dana Point flew under the radar, while its coastal Orange County neighbors closer to Los Angeles — Newport Beach and Laguna Beach — got all the attention. This could only last so long, as the city’s low-key atmosphere and stunning cliff-lined beaches have made it one of the most sought-after refuges on the Southern California coast. “It’s attracting high-profile clientele from spots like Newport Beach because people really value the natural beauty and how much more relaxed it is here,” says Dailey. Because of this, the city remains a chill beach town, even as it’s gaining high-end appeal. “They even hold surfing competitions at the beach below the Ritz,” says Dailey. “That perfectly sums up the vibe in Dana Point.”
Dana Point beaches and sunsets are among of the most beautiful along the west coast.
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort is a luxury resort by the coastline in Dana Point.
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Surf culture and luxury resort golfing
Dana Point’s Southern California surf culture is still its core identity. “It’s a true surfing town,” says Dailey. “In my opinion, it’s got the prettiest surf beaches on the coast.” Despite being in Orange County, Dana Point’s cliffside beaches are more reminiscent of San Diego’s La Jolla Shores, and they offer a more low-key vibe than spots closer to LA. Salt Creek Beach is the city’s most popular break, known for its gnarly wedges and glassy barrels. It hosts many surfing competitions throughout the year, and it’s just below the Ritz Carlton. The Ritz Carlton and Waldorf Astoria add to the local recreation with high-end tennis clubs and golf courses with ocean views. There’s also oceanfront hiking at Dana Point Preserve. Surfers, golfers and hikers benefit from the idyllic SoCal climate. Aside from the morning marine layer, it’s almost always sunny, with temperatures averaging in the 60s and reaching the high 70s in the summer.
Surfers can catch big waves at picturesque Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point.
Residents and tourists frequent the popular Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point.
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Modern design and oceanfront mansions
The city’s home prices haven’t reached Newport Beach levels, but they’re getting close. “A lot of people who were used to paying Newport Beach prices now prefer to spend that down here because it has more of a small-town feel with less commotion,” says Liana Norman with Caldwell Banker Realty, who’s in the top 1% of South Orange County Realtors. The median home price is over $1.5 million. However, the mix of old and new options has created a broad price range. Older 1980s condos can be found for under a million, while suburban homes slightly removed from the shore can cost over $2 million. Condos and single-family homes in the walkable, revamped Lantern District can sell for around $3 million. Prices are rising dramatically along Dana Point’s northern beachfront. “The Strands area and Monarch Beach have become really sought after, which has brought the whole area up,” says Norman. The Monterrey-style estates and custom contemporary mansions in these oceanfront communities can regularly cost around $10 million. The most opulent homes atop the cliffs of Salt Creek Beach and Dana Strands Beach can get close to $40 million.
Condominiums are among several housing options in Dana Point, although often the cheapest.
The highest priced homes in Dana Point are large houses that sit on the cliffs or coastline.
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Dine in the Lantern District
The city’s downtown area is known as the Lantern District. This stretch of restaurants, art galleries and small shops on Del Prado Avenue is the historical center of Dana Point’s commercial activity. Traders at the port would communicate with incoming ships by signaling different colored lanterns — hence the name. Its revitalization over the past few decades directly correlates with the city’s rise in popularity. Along the wide, walkable blocks, seafood restaurants like Coastal Kitchen and surfer-owned Station Craft Brewery reflect the community’s passion for the sea. Dana Point’s revitalized harbor is just a short stroll away. It offers shopping and dining with a view of sailboats heading in and out of the channel. The Lantern District has a Ralphs for essentials, and Costco, Albertsons and Trader Joe’s are a short drive away.
The Lantern District in Dana Point features restaurants, art galleries and small shops.
Coastal Kitchen in Dana Point is a local favorite with its quality dining options.
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Capistrano Unified School District gets an A-plus
The Capistrano Unified School District serves Dana Point’s students and earns an A-plus overall rating from Niche. Niche ranked it the No. 7 best school district in Orange County for a reason, with almost every school receiving an A-minus or better, including multiple A-plus-rated high schools.
Dana Hills High School is known for its amazing academic and extracurricular activities.
Dana Hills High School in Dana Point has a large campus that runs on green energy.
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Travel by trolley on the Pacific Coast Highway
The Dana Point Trolley takes visitors and locals along the Pacific Coast Highway during the busier summer months. Its stops connect the city’s coastal activity, including the most frequented beaches, resorts and downtown dining areas. It’s also friendly to the local watersport culture, allowing surfers to load up their boards and ride to the beach. The trolley connects to the neighboring Laguna Beach, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano Trolley systems. For commuting purposes, locals can drive to North Orange County and North County San Diego on the Pacific Coast Highway or Interstate 5. Irvine, Orange County’s financial center, is 25 miles north, and so is John Wayne Airport for regional flights. North County San Diego’s biotech hubs, like Carlsbad, are about 30 miles south. Providence Mission Hospital Laguna Beach is the nearest major medical facility, 4 miles up the PCH.
Brush fires in the hills and declining crime
Most of Dana Point isn’t directly threatened by fires, but the city’s northwest hills are labeled a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by the California State Fire Marshal. Brush fires are common in these vegetated hills during the warmer summer months. Residents of this area and the surrounding Ember Zones should maintain a defensible space between their homes and bordering wild space by removing dry grasses and other vegetation. Having a prepared evacuation plan is another vital step for anyone living in or near a high-risk area. While the prevalence of fires is increasing, crime is decreasing. According to FBI data, the city’s violent and property crime rates have been lower than state and national rates since 2015. In that time, they’ve continued to get lower year after year.
Written By
Ed Coombs
Photography Contributed By
Ling Ge
Video By
Amon Parson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Frances Mouser,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Dana Point, CA sell after 62 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Dana Point, CA over the last 12 months is $1,980,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Coastal Comfort in Dana Point Easy, breezy, and unmistakably Dana Point—this is coastal living at its most inviting. Set within the gated community of Dana Light, this beautifully maintained and thoughtfully upgraded 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence offers a bright, comfortable floor plan with inviting indoor-outdoor spaces and an easygoing coastal feel. The step-free main level features a spacious
Find your sanctuary by the sea at Del Prado Place, Dana Point’s premier new development featuring 18 boutique residential units in the heart of the Lantern District. Nestled above four ground-floor commercial spaces, Del Prado Place offers a vibrant urban-coastal lifestyle, with residences ranging from 1,236 to 1,902 square feet — from cozy one-level, one-bedroom plans to spacious two-level,
Find your sanctuary by the sea at Del Prado Place, Dana Point’s premier new development featuring 18 boutique residential units in the heart of the Lantern District. Nestled above four ground-floor commercial spaces, Del Prado Place offers a vibrant urban-coastal lifestyle, with residences ranging from 1,236 to 1,902 square feet — from cozy one-level, one-bedroom plans to spacious two-level,
Coastal Comfort in Dana Point Easy, breezy, and unmistakably Dana Point—this is coastal living at its most inviting. Set within the gated community of Dana Light, this beautifully maintained and thoughtfully upgraded 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence offers a bright, comfortable floor plan with inviting indoor-outdoor spaces and an easygoing coastal feel. The step-free main level features a spacious
**Affordable Place to Call Home!**This home features 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The large kitchen, complete with a breakfast nook, opens up to the dining area with built-in storage.The property has a newer furnace, skirting, and roof, as well as double-pane windows. There is also a great outdoor space perfect for BBQs or a children's play area.Conveniently located near
Location! Location! Location! Welcome to Monarch Beach living for under $1M! Rare opportunity to own one of the most unique and desirable floor-plans in the exclusive gated community of Ritz Pointe in Monarch Beach. This highly sought-after residence offers a private entrance with a layout that feels more like a private coastal villa than a typical condominium. Natural light fills the home
This was THE MODEL HOME for the community—the one the builder used to showcase and sell every other home in South Cove. This premium end-unit residence offers 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and approximately 2,175 square feet of beautifully designed living space just moments from Doheny State Beach, Dana Point Harbor, coastal trails, shopping, and dining. Filled with natural light, the open-concept
Find your sanctuary by the sea at Del Prado Place, Dana Point’s premier new development featuring 18 boutique residential units in the heart of the Lantern District. Nestled above four ground-floor commercial spaces, Del Prado Place offers a vibrant urban-coastal lifestyle, with residences ranging from 1,236 to 1,902 square feet — from cozy one-level, one-bedroom plans to spacious two-level,
Find your sanctuary by the sea at Del Prado Place, Dana Point’s premier new development featuring 18 boutique residential units in the heart of the Lantern District. Nestled above four ground-floor commercial spaces, Del Prado Place offers a vibrant urban-coastal lifestyle, with residences ranging from 1,236 to 1,902 square feet — from cozy one-level, one-bedroom plans to spacious two-level,
Find your sanctuary by the sea at Del Prado Place, Dana Point’s premier new development featuring 18 boutique residential units in the heart of the Lantern District. Set above four ground-floor commercial spaces, this mixed-use development presents a vibrant urban-coastal lifestyle, with residences ranging from approximately 1,236 to 1,902 SF, most with private outdoor space. Designed by Studio
Find your sanctuary by the sea at Del Prado Place, Dana Point’s premier new development featuring 18 boutique residential units in the heart of the Lantern District. Nestled above four ground-floor commercial spaces, Del Prado Place offers a vibrant urban-coastal lifestyle, with residences ranging from 1,236 to 1,902 square feet — from cozy one-level, one-bedroom plans to spacious two-level,
Breathtaking ocean view estate designed by renowned Laguna Beach architect Fred Briggs. This contemporary masterpiece of concrete and glass offers spectacular panoramic white water ocean views. African paduak wood accents and flooring elevate this majestic home located next to the famed Gazebo Park in Capistrano Beach. Entertain your guests in the massive great room with high ceilings and a
Luxury coastal living define this beautifully re-imagined Capistrano Beach residence, ideally located just down the street from picturesque Pines Park and approximately a five-minute walk from the Pacific shoreline.Never lived in since its extensive transformation in 2021, this five-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home pairs modern coastal sophistication with exceptional attention to detail. A
****Seller financing available: Up to $1,500.000. with approved credit, 6.25% fixed interest rate, amortized over 30 years, with the entire remaining balance due at the end of the fifth year, No prepayment penalty.****Welcome to elevated coastal living in the desirable Dana Woods community of Dana point. This beautifully maintained residence offers 3 bedrooms.a 325 Sq.ft. home office
Set within Bear Brand Ridge, one of Laguna Niguel’s most sought-after gated communities, this beautifully transformed four-bedroom, four-bath residence pairs sophisticated design with an extraordinary level of improvement. From the custom pivot front door to the floor-to-ceiling porcelain fireplace, every space has been thoughtfully reimagined. A new wood staircase railing, posts, and iron
Experience coastal resort living at its best in this beautifully maintained upper-level Villa located in the gated Tennis Villas community. Enjoy unobstructed ocean and Catalina views and spectacular sunsets right from your private balcony. This light-filled 2-bedroom, 2-bath home offers a spacious living and dining area, an inviting eat-in kitchen, and a separate laundry room. Interior
Prado West is a comfortably coastal community from which to enjoy Dana Point, to linger, to enjoy casual or fine dining, and to experience a one-of-a-kind apartment home. A part of the neighborhood... Apart from the ordinary. Live in one of Prado West's thoughtfully designed residences, window shop through 25,000-plus square feet of walkable storefront space, or take in casual, coastal cuisine.
LUXURY RESORT VACATION VILLA!! This coastal Mediterranean villa offers a resort lifestyle framed by never-ending ocean and golf course views. Open your front door next to lovely trails just minutes to the surf and sand. Located in one of Dana Point’s private, gated communities, this beautiful home showcases magnificent vistas with brilliant seascapes on a premium lot. The residence is comprised
Newly renovated, Marea offers luxury leasing coupled with one of the most spectacular views in Dana Point. The community enjoys the fresh ocean breeze and overlooks Monarch Links Golf Course and the Pacific Ocean. Marea puts you close to shopping, dining and entertainment at Dana Point Harbor, Laguna Beach and Salt Creek. Picture windows, vaulted ceilings and skylights make each floor plan light
Available November 4th FURNISHED or UNFURNISHED!This incredible condo is directly across from the Strand Vista Park and the fabulous Strand Beach. This highly sought after property has been recently remodeled and is located in the center of Niguel Beach Terrace near the pool and walkway to the park. This 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath home has beautiful views. This property has two patios for outdoor
Find your coastal home at Seabrook at Bear Brand, where beachside living meets everyday ease. Just minutes from Doheny Beach, Dana Point Harbor, and the shops at Ocean Ranch Village, Seabrook is ideally located for those who love the outdoors and having all the essentials close by. Our newly remodeled apartments and townhomes bring in light, style, and comfort, and with a team celebrated for
Available starting 9/3/26 - 12/25/26, then again April 3rd onward! Escape to coastal charm with this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom furnished rental, perfectly located near the Strands beach and Strand Vista overlook. Designed with a modern beach cottage vibe, this home offers a seamless blend of comfort and style and welcomes you in with a front porch which is one of THREE outdoor
Experience Upscale Living at The Villas at Monarch Beach in Dana Point, CADiscover a refined lifestyle at The Villas at Monarch Beach, offering one and two-bedroom apartments for rent in Dana Point. Our community provides a serene retreat with private beach access, making it the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.Indulge in premium amenities, including an
Available Now! Experience luxury coastal living in one of Dana Point's most desirable locations. This beautifully furnished executive residence offers breathtaking whitewater ocean views, sophisticated designer interiors, and an exceptional lifestyle just steps from the Lantern District, Dana Point Harbor, world-class restaurants, beaches, and coastal trails. Designed for executives, corporate
This sun-filled condo overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offers beautiful views of Catalina Island and the sunset. It is an inviting setting for couples seeking a romantic coastal home or professionals who want a peaceful place to recharge at the end of the day. Corner unit with large grass areas around and in front of the patio. Comes with a large walk-in closet, laundry room, and storage room.
Discover elevated coastal living at Del Prado Place, Dana Point’s premier new boutique development in the heart of the Lantern District. Unit 304 is now available for lease, offering the rare opportunity to be the first to call this beautifully designed, brand-new residence home.Featuring just 18 luxury residences above four ground-floor commercial spaces, Del Prado Place combines
Discover Capistrano Pointe, a contemporary Mediterranean-style community of apartment homes in San Juan Capistrano. Choose a new home from our tastefully designed one and two bedroom apartments, lofts, and townhomes. Enjoy the comforts of dual master suites, a fully equipped kitchen with new countertops and cabinetry, new flooring, a wood-burning fireplace, and in-home washers and dryers.
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