Dana Point

If you want a good, cheap hotel room, be sure to board at the Dana Point Harbor Inn. They have great service and its a sweet little place to shack up.

I used to live here. I miss the marina. I have no idea how it’s changed since I last saw it.

It’s the birthplace of my favorite musician, Andrew McMahon.

Its my old home! I could go on for days how much I love this place, from the concerts in Doheny Beach (Bob Marley Festival) to walking along the beach (Marine Sanctuary) checking out the enclaves. Chillin at the Wind & Sea Restaurant on a Saturday afternoon (dont feed the birds). Or hanging out by the jetty (SEE MY PIC) feeling the mist from the waves crashing into the rocks (they rise about 50ft sometimes) JUST AWESOME! Cruising down PCH or Crown Valley Pkwy and going from Dana to Salt Creek Beach! This part of the world is a must see, an experience you can lose track of time. Pssst: Use a Convertible! ;-)

I now live in rural western New York where I enjoy, much less traffic, way too fatty foods, OK skiing, great kayaking and a school system that simply trounces that of Dana Points. Hence my move from paradise on the Pacific to what many consider no-mans land. Dana Point is beautiful, it has; lots of great restaurants, local music, great sunsets, a great harbor, nice people, and many people with materialistic goals…these are the people that have been trying to suck the soul out of this special place – but even the realtors, silicone ladies, leased BMR’s and “palm trees over education” mentality can’t kill the place. If you go – try the Renissance Cafe, Bon Jour Cafe and the deadly Mai Tais that can be found at the Wind and Sea. And for a taste of the real deal, check out Killer Dana Surf Shop – say hi to Chris and Gary for me. As much as I am ragging about the place, it will always be home to me. Enjoy and Mahalo.

Sunset on the Beach

I go to high school here, not that great.

Dana Puente! If you want to live on the beach yet have access to a freeway near LA, this is the best place to do it. Populated by aging jetskiers, silicone divorcees and retired couples, I lived here for several years and would move back again in a heartbeat.