The Strands

Dana Strand Beach is a public beach at the base of a gated housing development in Dana Point called “The Strand.” These are huge beachfront and hillside homes just north of the Dana Point Headlands that face southwest. The beach here is a nice sandy sunbathing spot that is also popular with surfers.
To get to Dana Strand Beach, turn west onto Selva Road from Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) and park in the large parking lot signed “Salt Creek Beach Park.” At the center of this lot is a fenced-in path and stairs that meander downhill between the homes to the beach. Once you get to the beach there is a boardwalk that makes it easy to walk north or south to other spots. There is a funicular (small slow tram) at the north end of the parking lot for those that can’t hike down. North of the funicular the beach narrows in front of the Niguel Shores neighborhood. If you walk north around the point you’ll get to the main part of Salt Creek Beach.

You’ll find excellent tide pools at the point on your way if the tide is low. Another access to Dana Strands Beach is a switchbacking concrete path that begins just past the gated entrance to The Strand. Street parking is available at this access.