Dana Point History
The Dana Point area was originally known as Capistrano Bay, although the city takes its name from author and seaman Richard Henry Dana, who mentioned the cliffs just south of town in his classic 1830s sealog "Two Years Before the Mast."
Dana Point was first surveyed for residential purposes as a massive upscale housing development and resort in the 1920s, but the stock market crash in 1929 wiped out the local contractor, and put a stop to local real estate expansion for the next several decades. It wasn't until the 1980s that the Dana Point real estate area finally began to boom, with the city incorporating in 1989.
The 1920s concept for Dana Point called for a Spanish-style town with wide kerosene lantern-lit streets, and classic southwest architecture. While most local homes and buildings follow modern styles, the town's original lantern motif has been preserved in a few downtown street names, such as Street of the Crystal Lantern, and Street of the Goldern Lantern.
The most ambitious aspect of Old Dana Point was a large hotel and bar, the remains of which can still be found resting above the downtown harbor. Some of the town's original Spanish-style buildings are also still intact, including a few beautifully preserved as homes and commercial buildings.
Dana Point became a popular boating destination in the early 1970s, while it was still a sleepy coastal village. The local harbor was officially dedicated in 1971, with its advanced two basin layout, two marinas, and 2,500 slips for a variety of vessels. Now a thriving small city, Dana Point's busy oceanfront is matched by a strong downtown and commercial corridor.
Back to Dana Point Real Estate