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For the last 50 years, Dana Point has been home to the first and longest running annual whale festival and was recently deemed the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas. Dana Point is centered on its relationship with the sea, enjoying the cool, salty air and beautiful views of the ocean, which is home to these spectacular mammals.

San Clemente's connection to the sand and the surf gives the town its laidback vibe. The 50+ year old lifeguard headquarters with its clock tower overlooks the pier and the accompanying beach, making sure that residents and visitors have access to ocean safety resources at one of the finest and most complete beach destinations in Orange County.

Despite being a town that is world-renown for it's beaches, the Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach may be one you aren't familiar with if you aren't a local. Only accessible at low tide, this locked, enclosed stairway from one of the private residences on the cliff is as much of an art piece as it was a functional access to the Pacific.

Mission San Juan Capistrano, "the Jewel of the Missions" features the oldest in-use building in CA, dating back to 1776. The mission, and its bells were the heart of the region while the mission was functioning - signalling the changes to the day. The bells were installed in the wall in the early 1800's, after the main church was devastated by a major earthquake.

Housing around 9,000 boats, Newport Harbor is one of the largest recreational harbors on the west coast and features the unique Christmas boat parade, that dates back to 1908. In addition, the Newport to Ensenada boat race has been a prominent fixture in sailing for over 70 years.