Dana Point Community Info
The city of Dana Point was named after Richard Henry Dana, author of the classic sea journal Two Years Before the Mast, which included a description of the area known as Capistrano Bay as “the only romantic spot in California.” Today, Capistrano Bay is known as Dana Point. In 1923 Harry Chandler, publisher of the Los Angeles Times, and General M.H. Sherman, Director of the Pacific Electric Railway Company, created the Dana Point Syndicate to purchase 1388 acres of local land. Promising tree-lined, paved streets, electricity, telephones, sidewalks, water mains, storm drains, sewers, and other amenities, several dozen homes and a number of commercial buildings were built. Depression caused construction to halt and the project was abandoned. Dana Point was incorporated in 1989. As of the census of 2000, there were 35,110 people and 14,456 households residing in the city. The city is served by Capistrano Unified School District. For detailed school information, log on to the School District’s website at www.capousd.org.
Dana Point, characterized by almost seven miles of prominent coastal bluffs and rolling hills along the Pacific Ocean, is a popular local destination for surfing and is home to a legendary surf break called Killer Dana. There is great surfing history here! Few people probably remember Boneyard Beach at Doheny. I never went, but I’ve heard of it! Apparently it was THE place to surf in South Orange County prior to building the marina. Dana Point Harbor, providing slips and mooring for thousands of boats, is one of the most significant man made alterations to the Orange County coastline. I myself spend as much time there as I can. The Harbor attracts thousands of visitors annually for dining, shopping at over fifty specialty shops, sport fishing, walking and jogging for miles, bicycling, para sailing and many other recreational activities. You can get a really great plate of fish and chips at John’s Seafood in the harbor or a really great bowl of chicken soup at the deli next door. Gemmell’s is a nice French restaurant. I’ve heard great things about it, but I haven’t eaten there yet, but I will. The harbor is slated to be completely redone and the slips reconfigured, but the renovation is years away.
A famous little beach nearby is Baby Beach which has a lifeguard overlooking the little children. The Dana Point Harbor is also considered the gateway to Doheny State Park, one of California’s most popular beach facilities which also offers bicycling, picnicking, camping, swimming, surfing and tide pool exploration. The Tall Ships Festival is held every September. It is one of the largest annual gatherings of its kind on the West Coast of the United States. ??Dana Point boasts some gorgeous ocean-front communities the newest being the Strand which is composed of both oceanfront and non-oceanfront lots. Very expensive homes are under construction right now. The gate-guarded communities of Niguel Shores and Monarch Bay boast oceanfront homes. Expect a lot of renovation in the downtown area over the next ten years!
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More from Dana Point
31622 Paseo Rita San Juan Capistrano
November 23, 2009
Stunning huge flat view lot located in picturesque and historic San Juan Capistarno. Aprox. 14,000 sq parcel. Affords stunning views of the valleys hillsides and mountains. Located in the prestegious and hidden Aguacate estates area. Preeliminary plans for single level estate included.
$995,000
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City of San Juan Capistrano/ Summer 2009 Programs, Classes, and Events…
June 9, 2009
For a city events calendar, click here…
For the Summer Newsletter, including class schedules for a variety of things, click here…
Find out about popular community events such as the City’s San Juan Summer Nites concert series, which kicks off at 6 p.m. June 17 at Historic Town Center Park, and the July 4th celebration from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the San Juan Capistrano Sports Park.
The newsletter also contains information on everything from flower arranging, CPR, youth music and kids’ cooking to ballet folklorico, tennis, dance and a senior trip to Laughlin.
For more information, call 949-493-5911.
Be sure to also follow the City of San Juan Capistrano on Twitter at http://twitter.com/cityofsjc.
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City of San Juan Capistrano Considers 132 Acre Purchase from Rancho Mission Viejo…
June 3, 2009
The City of San Juan Capistrano may acquire 132 acres from Rancho Mission Viejo, a 23,000 acre cattle ranch operation in Southeast Orange County. The City Council reported after closed session Tuesday that the property would preserve and enhance the eastern gateway to the City and become part of San Juan Capistrano’s ever expanding open-space portfolio.
For original story, click here…
For an overview of the city’s Open Space Initiative (Measures X & Y), click here…
For a map of the general area in question, click here…
Officials have been working with the Ranch on details to possibly purchase the property, known as “the old ranch headquarters and lemon grove” area next to Ortega Highway and the “rodeo or polo grounds” south of Ortega Highway from City limits to La Pata Avenue. The property would only be used for equestrian, organized sports, agricultural and open space/creek habitat preservation. Other than the possibility of one equestrian facility and the annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo, no commercial, industrial or residential use would be allowed on the property.
“I am extremely excited about the opportunity for our City to preserve this key piece of Open Space,” said Mayor Mark Nielsen. “With this acquisition, we can reverse the loss of a defining entry to our City that reflects our equestrian and rural history. I applaud the leadership of Rancho Mission Viejo for their willingness to work with the City to preserve this property for future generations and give up a large amount of development that was already approved on this site.”
The City is in a 60-day “due diligence” period to appraise the property and review the title report and other conditions affecting the land. Once that’s complete and a purchase and sale agreement is prepared, the City would acquire the property within 180 days. Funding would come from the $30 million open space bond approved by voters in November and any other available funding sources.
Purchasing the property east of the City would benefit the community as a whole – providing more recreational and agricultural areas and preservation of the creek/open space lands. It would also add to the City’s and Open Space Committee’s recent acquisitions and victories. In January, members of the Open Space Finance Subcommittee were responsible for the City and Redevelopment Agency entering into an agreement with Continuing Life Communities (CLC) for an option to buy 116 acres of open space land in the Northwest area of town. The committee and City also worked together to buy 109 acres of land from the J.F. Shea Co., and committee members lead the campaign for Measures X and Y, which added additional protections for open space and approved the $30 million open-space bond.
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City of San Juan Capistrano Youth Advisory Board/ Application Deadline Extended to May 28th…
May 21, 2009
The City of San Juan Capistrano has reset the deadline to make application for a seat on the City’s Youth Advisory Board. The extension was made in an effort to give local youth more time to apply.
New Deadline…
5:30 PM on Thursday, May 28th
Apply at…
Office of the City Clerk
32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
To visit the official Youth Advisory Board webpage, click here…
For a youth member application, click here…
For a adult supervisor application, click here…
For directions to the Office of the City Clerk, click here…
For information regarding the application process, please call (949) 493-1171
San Juan Capistrano’s Youth Advisory Board acts as a liaison between youth and city government. Board members serve a one-year term, which coincides with the school year. Adults interested in working with the board on an array of projects and activities are also sought to apply. The City Council is expected to make board appointments early this summer.
For more information, contact…
Maricella Moreno
(949) 443-6392
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City of San Juan Capistrano Youth Advisory Board/ Application Deadline…
May 12, 2009
Here’s something that would probably look great as an accessorie to a student’s college application when the time comes. The City of San Juan Capistrano has 15 slots it fills every year for the Youth’s Advisory Board, appointing two adult supervisors as well. The Youth Advisory Board is a panel that acts as a liaison between youth and city government, and submits recommendations to the City Council for special events, programs, and fund raising events for the City’s youth. Obviously, this a great opportunity for those seeking experience with leadership in local government affairs.
Appointments to the Youth Advisory Board normally take place in June, with appointees taking office in August and actively serving through May of the following year. Meetings are held every 2nd & 4th Mondays at 5:00 p.m., in the City Council Chamber (this is the real deal!)
All applicants must be residents of San Juan Capistrano. Members are selected on the basis of their knowledge, leadership skills and involvement in youth activities. The geographic areas of the City where the applicant resides and the school that the applicant attends shall also be considered.
For a full description of the board and it’s duties, click here…
For a Youth Advisory Board application, click here…
For a Adult Advisor application, click here…
Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted at the Office of the City Clerk, until 5:30 p.m, Thursday, May 14.
For more information call…
Maricella Moreno
949-443-6392
For assistance with the application and appointment process, please contact…
The City Clerk’s Office
(949) 493-1171.