FEBRUARY

Saturday, February 16 - (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

St. Valentine's Day Love Your Beach Cleanup

Join us for our first Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup of the year as we “love” Doheny back to good health after the runoff from winter rains.  The cleanup is from 9:00 am – Noon.  All beach cleanups meet at the new Lifeguard Headquarters (adjacent to the mouth of San Juan Creek).  Thank you for bringing along working gloves.

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MARCH

City of Dana Point's Annual Festival of Whales

Saturdays, March 1 & 8 - (6:00 p.m. at the Campfire Center)

Doheny State Beach Campfire Programs

Learn about some of the majestic creatures that grace the oceans of the world at these evening programs beginning at 6:00 pm. at the Campfire Center.  Please dress for weather and rain cancels.

Saturday, March 8 - (Noon - 3:00 p.m.)

Doheny State Beach Traveling Marine Mammal Museum

Visit Doheny’s Whale Walk for an opportunity to see and feel authentic marine mammal artifacts (cool replicas, too!).  Just look for Naturalist Vicki along the Whale Walk.

Doheny State Beach Fish-feeding Programs

Please Note:  There will be no Fish-feeding programs this year due to the closure of our Visitor’s Center…our apologies!

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APRIL

Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup Projects

Saturday, April 19

Earth Day Native Tree Planting Projects

Please help Doheny State Beach plant large native trees in areas throughout the north day-use area to replace diseased fallen trees.  We will also be cleaning the creeks and shoreline.  This project meets from 9:00 am – Noon.  Thank you for bringing along some type of working gloves and your favorite shovel!

Southern California Woody Club and Car Show

Start your springtime Southern California style by visiting the annual Woodie Club and Car Show at Doheny State Beach!  Woodies start lining up the south day-use area at dawn and begin departing in the mid-afternoon.  Don’t miss out on this fun-filled day!

Saturday, April 26 - (9:00 a.m. to Noon)

Earth Day Beach and San Juan Creek Cleanup

Let’s clean San Juan Creek and the beach again in honor of Mother Earth Day.   This project meets at the new Lifeguard Headquarters (adjacent to the mouth of San Juan Creek) from 9:00 am–Noon.  Please join us anytime.  Happy Earth Day Everyday!

MAY

Friday, May 23 - (Beginning at 10:00 p.m.)

17th Annual Grunion Night

Join us as we greet the grunion back to the shores of Southern California at this annual event.  This evening program begins at 10:00 pm. with a slide-show presentation about grunion and other marine life mysteries.  Please come a little early for our traveling ocean environment museum.  Dress for weather and rain cancels.  Please this program is for grunion viewing only as grunion season is closed.

Saturday-Sunday, May 17 & 18

Doheny Blues Festival

Enjoy blues music on the shaded grass of Doheny’s north day-use lawns with this 2-day music festival.  There will be a flavorful assortment of music and snacks for everyone’s taste buds!  Please see www.omegaevents.com for details of this event. Have Fun!

JUNE

(Tentatively scheduled to begin the week of
June 23, 2008)

Summer Season Interpretive Activities Begin

Please join us for some summertime fun State Park style with activities for the whole family!  Junior Rangers during the daytime and Campfire Programs in the evening.  Summer activities begin towards the end of June.  Please call for exact start date (949) 496-2704.  Thank you for keeping the campground and beach clean!

Saturday, June 14

Surf-A-Rama - (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Experience surfing culture at its finest with this second annual surf expo featuring a variety of vendors and artists from the surfing industry.  There will also be live music and an assortment of good grub!  This event runs from 10:00 am–3:00 pm.  Don’t miss out.

Saturday and Sunday, June 14 & 15

Dewey Weber Longboard Surf Contest

The Dewey Weber Longboard Surf Contest will be held this year in conjunction with the Surf-A-Rama.  This contest is open to all ages and styles of longboard riding!  Information:  www.deweyweber.com.

Saturday, June 28

DLSA's Menehune Surf Contest

The Doheny Longboard Surfing Association (DLSA) hosts this annual surf contest designed for children and teenagers to share their unique style of surfing among fellow peers!   All proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Orange.  For information, please see www.dohosurf.com.  Peaceful surfing vibrations!

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JULY

July Campfire Programs

On various days throughout the month of July a variety of interesting Campfire Program presentations has been scheduled. All will meet at the Campfire Center. Topics range from the nocturnal creatures at Doheny to the marine mammal food chain to grunion to the bats that thrive in the Park. Most of the programs will start just after dark at 8:30 p.m., but the Thursday, July 10 program will begin at 8:00 p.m. Be sure to dress comfortably for the evening coolness.

Friday, July 4

Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza

Start out early in the morning if you’re planning an Independence Day celebration at Doheny State Beach as this is the busiest day of the year!  Doheny’s day-use opens at 6:00 am.  The fireworks show off the barge outside of the harbor begins at 9:00 pm.  Doheny closes a 10:00 pm. Remember, no fireworks are allowed!

Saturday, July 5

Independence Day Aftermath Park and Beach Cleanup

The staff at Doheny State Beach would sure appreciate any help from volunteers to clean up after the masses of picnickers!  This is considered the messiest day of the year.  Thank you everyone!!

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AUGUST

Saturday, August 4

Whitey Harrison Classic Outrigger Race

Outrigger paddlers from all over California will compete in this long-distance roundtrip race from Dana Point to Laguna Beach.  Cheer them on as they head out to the wild, open ocean to test all their months of training!  For information, www.danaoutrigger.net.   

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SEPTEMBER

Saturday, September 20 (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

24th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day

Volunteers will gather in places all over the world to remove trash from the oceans, beaches, watersheds, and beyond.  Doheny will focus upon the beach and San Juan Creek. Please join us from 9:00 am-Noon.  We will provide everything including snacks and water.

OCTOBER

Saturday, October 25 (6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.)

Doheny State Beach Haunted Campground

The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association will once again host Doheny's Halloween Haunt from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, California.  We'll transform a section of the campground into a spooky area with a variety of educational booths on animals such as spiders, sharks, venomous marine animals, bats, etc. that many people are afraid of.  By answering a question at one of the interpretive booths not only do guests learn about animals they may consider scary, but they'll earn a card for  snacks or to use in the game area.  This event is completely free, and the ten dollar parking fee is waived for the event.  Each person is asked to donate one non-perishable food item which will be given to a local food bank!

NOVEMBER

Saturday, November 22 - (9:00 a.m. - Noon)

Thanks to the Ocean Beach Cleanup

Everyone is invited to participate in the last Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup of the year as we give “thanks” to the ocean for the year-round joy that it gives to us!  This cleanup meets from 9:00 am – Noon at the new Lifeguard Headquarters (adjacent to the mouth of San Juan Creek).  Thank you for helping Doheny State Beach stay naturally clean!

DECEMBER

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For additional information about other Special Events,
Surf Contests, or Volleyball Tournaments, please contact
Picnic and Special Events Coordinator Denise Estrada at (949) 496-3617.