Dana Point famous with the Annual Whale Festival – The County Orange Register
Dana Point’s headlands are a key navigation point in the migration of gray whales between Alaska and Baja in California and the community famous again this weekend being the capital of whale observation.
With a lot of opportunities to get on a charter boat to see the whales that pass – although you can often spy on them from the rocky outcrops of the promontories – the 54th Annual Whale Festival will include three days of fun activities for families.
The members of the Bang of the Mission of the Indians of Juaneño of the Acjachemen nation, on the left, Debra Cruze, Adelia Sandoval and Mariah Doyle-Sandoval, join the members of the Dana Point Surf Club for the blessing of the opening whales on the beach behind the Ocean Institute on the first day of the 54th Annual Festival of Leonard Organs, Orange, 2025. SCNG)
The members of the Dana Point Surf Club are headed for The Paddle after the official whale blessing by the members of the Juaneño Mission of the Acjachemen Indians on the first day of the 54th Annual Whale Festival in Dana Point on Friday March 7, 2025. (Photo of Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register / SCNG)
People sit on the rocks to look at the sunset reception ceremony by members of the local Acjachemen nation, as well as a Dana Point Surf Club paddle at the marine region protected region behind the Ocean Institute during the first day of the 54th Annual Whale Festival in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo of Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Redgister / SCNG)
The members of the Dana Point Surf Club, on the right, go around a paddle on the first day of the 54th Annual Whale Festival in Dana Point on Friday March 7, 2025. (Photo of Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register / SCNG)
Anabelle Simpson, 12, looks at the members of the Dana Point Surf Club Pagayer on the first day of the 54th Annual Whale Festival in Dana Point on Friday March 7, 2025. (Photo of Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register / SCNG)
The members of the Dana Point Surf Club Catch Waves before sunset on the first day of the 54th Annual Whale Festival in Dana Point on Friday March 7, 2025. The famous rock characteristic of Dana Point, known as “Indian Face”, can be seen on the right of the setting sun. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Register / SCNG of Orange County)
The guests attend the first day of the first day of the 54th Annual Whale Festival at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point on Friday March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register / SCNG)
People participating in the kick -off of whales on the first day of the 54th Annual Whale Festival, take advantage of drinks and a hot fire at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point on Friday March 7, 2025. (Photo of Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register / SCNG)
The members of the Juaneño Indian Mission of the Acjachemen, Debra Cruze, Adelia Sandoval and Mariah Doyle-Sandoval Nation, join the members of the Dana Point Surf Club for the blessing of the opening whales on the first day of the 54th Whales Annual Festival in Dana Point on Friday, March 7.
A couple looks at the sunset behind the Ocean Institute on the first day of the 54th Annual Whale Festival in Dana Point on Friday March 7, 2025. The famous rock trait of Dana Point, known as “Indian Face”, can be seen on the right of the setting sun. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Register / SCNG of Orange County)
The members of the Dana Point Surf Club are headed for The Paddle after the official whale blessing by the members of the Juaneño Mission of the Acjachemen Indians on the first day of the 54th Annual Whale Festival in Dana Point on Friday March 7, 2025. (Photo of Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register / SCNG)
People come together to watch members of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians of the Acjachemen Nation and members of the Dana Point Surf Club for the blessing of the opening whales on the beach behind the Ocean Institute on the first day of the 54th Annual Whale Festival in Dana Point on Friday March 7, 2025.
Adelia Sandoval, on the right, of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians of the Acjachemen nation, blesses the surfers with smoke from Burning Sage during the reception of the kick -off of the whales on the first day of the 54th annual Whales festival in Dana Point on Friday March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register /
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The members of the Bang of the Mission of the Indians of Juaneño of the Acjachemen nation, on the left, Debra Cruze, Adelia Sandoval and Mariah Doyle-Sandoval, join the members of the Dana Point Surf Club for the blessing of the opening whales on the beach behind the Ocean Institute on the first day of the 54th annual festival of Leonard Organs, Orange, on Friday Recording / SCNG)
Develop
A three -day carnival of Lantern Bay Park started on Friday evening, replacing the annual parade during the renovations at the port of Dana Point.
To come this weekend, there will be Wyland art sessions, discussions on the conservation of navies, classic cars and art exhibitions, treasure hunt, entertainment and more activities for children and adults.
If you leave
When: the carnival is from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on March 8 and 3 at 9 p.m. on March 9; The activities go all day on March 8 and 9, see online for time
Where: Lantern Bay Park and around the port of Dana Point; The use of free cart and port shuttle services is recommended to get there, see more online