Capistrano Beach Park
Dana Point, CA
A low key stretch of Orange County coastline that locals call Capo Beach, sitting in the shadow of its more famous Dana Point neighbors without the crowds that come with them. The sand is wide, the surf is manageable, and parking is easier than almost anywhere else nearby.
Easier parking than Doheny or Salt Creek up the coast makes this the practical local pick, though it doesn't have either of those beaches' scenery.
How we score beachesParking here tends to be easier than at Doheny or Salt Creek just up the coast, especially on weekends.
Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach year-round except during summer, when they are banned from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. between June 15 and September 10.
This stretch of Orange County coast warms slowly through the June gloom pattern common to Southern California, with water not reaching its most comfortable, low 70s range until late summer into fall. Winters stay mild enough for a walk on the sand even when the water is too cold to get in.
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