A week in Dana Point

A May 2003 trip to Dana Point by ahhsland

One of my best friends got married in Laguna Beach, CA. We stayed in Dana Point, CA. We visited Tijuana and Santa Catalina Island.

  • 3 reviews
This is a very relaxing town. Small shops and restaurants line Pacific Coast Hwy. It was smoggy most of the time, but that didn't stop us from hitting the beach. The water was freezing and my 8-year-old still swam the entire time.

Quick Tips:

Dana Point is a small town and rolls up the sidewalk by 9pm. If you're looking for nightlife, this isn't the place.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking or a bike is the best transport.
Well, at first we thought for the price we had got a great deal. Little did we know, we'd find many problems throughout our stay.

The shower drain didn't have a screen and was stopped up. We had enough room to slip sideways from the bed into the bathroom. There was a broken window that the owner promised to fix and didn't. This window faced Del Prado, a very busy street and we could hear every car zooming by -- this will really kill you. By our third day, I realized something black inside the water resevoir in the coffee pot. Turned out it was MOLD!!! Our friends had reserved us this room and while we were grateful, it wasn't the room they had reserved. I guess that they leave a certain number of rooms open for walk in customers and didn't want to give up one of their good rooms for us! On their website, it states that the room comes with an ice machine, iron and ironing board, and a clock radio. The room had none of these. I went to the office to get ice. The owner went to his freezer and cracked an ice tray for me. The day of the wedding, I needed to iron my dress. I went to the office to ask for an iron and was told by the owner's wife I could use her PERSONAL iron.

I seriously thought I was being too critical. My husband and I usually stay at hostels, so I was not expecting luxury, but this place was ridiculous.

  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by ahhsland on July 15, 2003

Dana Marina Inn
34111 PACIFIC COAST HWY Dana Point, California 92629
1949-496-1300

Mega BurgersBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Mega Burger"

By the name, you wouldn't think of stopping here. Don't let it fool you! This place has Greek, Mexican, and American food. We ate here five out of the seven days we were in Dana Point. Definitely get the chorizo and eggs -- great buy and it'll easily feed two people.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by ahhsland on July 15, 2003

Mega Burgers
34122 Pacific Coast Hwy Dana Point, California 92629
(949) 488-0849

About the Writer

ahhsland
ahhsland
Kansas City, Missouri

Get the Word Out

Share this travel journal beyond IgoUgo with your favorite sharing tools.