FEBRUARY

Saturday, February 14 (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 7 & 14 (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 15 (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.

Doheny State Beach Fish-feeding Programs

Please Note: There will be no Fish-feeding programs this year due to the closure of our Visitor’s Center.  Hopefully next year!

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APRIL

Saturday, April 11 (Gates open at 9:00 p.m.)

18th 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 begins at 9:45 pm. with a slide-show presentation about grunion and other marine life mysteries.  We will be having a traveling ocean environment museum for early arrivers.  Bring along a chair, flashlight, and dress for weather.  This program is for grunion viewing only as the grunion season is closed.  Thank you!

Earth Day Cleanup and Restoration Projects

Saturday, April 18 (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 25 (9:00 a.m. to Noon)

Earth Day Campground Native Planting Project

Please help Doheny State Beach by replanting the campground and campfire center with an assortment of native trees and shrubs. This project meets from 9:00 am – Noon.  Thank you for bringing along some type of working gloves and your favorite shovel!

Saturday, April 25 (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-Sunday, May 16 & 17

Doheny Blues Festival

Omega Events is still in the planning process for this year’s Blues Festival.  Therefore, this listing reflects tentative dates of the popular Blues Festival.  Please visit www.omegaevents.com for further details on this year’s event at Doheny State Beach.  Thank you!

JUNE

Summer Season Interpretive Activities

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 the week of June 22 and the first day of Junior Rangers is scheduled on Wednesday, June 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Beginning the week of June 29, Junior Rangers will meet from Mondays through Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Please call (949) 496-2704 with any questions.  Thank you for keeping the campground and beach clean!

Saturday, June 13 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 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 8:00 am–5:00 pm.  Don’t miss out.

Saturday-Sunday, June 13 & 14

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!!

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AUGUST

Saturday, August 1

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 19 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

25th 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 upon 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 for supporting this annual event.

OCTOBER

Saturday-Sunday, October 3 & 4

Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle

Last year was such a success with this upcoming style of ocean paddling that Rainbow Sandals extended it to two days this year.  This contest is open to all levels of stand up paddling everything from beginners to children to even a master’s category.  So, start that training early in the year so you can battle for the paddle in the autumn time at Doheny!

Saturday, October 24 (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 21 (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.