Dana Point launches new travel app to help locals and tourists navigate the beachy town

Dana Point’s Lantern District is drawing more businesses and restaurants and will be featured on the city’s new App. (File photo by Nick Koon, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Want to know what restaurant is new in town, what the town’s most popular trails and parks are and where, or if there’s a cool event happening like a car show or art fair?

A new travel app that helps locals and visitors navigate Dana Point was recently launched and offers this and much more information, such as real-time trolley schedules and where to find lodging.

The app is a collaboration between the city and Visit Dana Point and will also highlight special events such as fun happy hours and other community happenings. It’s also conveniently linked to the city’s trolley tracker, so visitors and locals can get real-time info on when they’ll get their next ride while finding out cool things to do or eat near their exact location.

The collaboration built the app on the framework of an existing one and pays a $1,950 quarterly maintenance fee for it.

Dana Point – always known as a laidback beach town – is growing up and becoming a bit more of a popular destination. Overall, hotel occupancy is close to 2019 levels.

Trademarked as the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World and designated as North America’s only Whale Heritage Site by the United Kingdom-based World Cetacean Alliance have certainly been helpful. Two annual events – Festival of the Whales and Tall Ships Festival – draw thousands to the community each year. Its July Fourth fireworks show off of Doheny Beach is among South Orange County’s most popular.

“Whale-watching is what makes us unique,” said Heather Johnston, who heads up Visit Dana Point. “It’s what makes us unique up and down the coast. Our whale watch charters have amazing sightings that get picked up around the world. Every other week, I’m astonished by what they see. We can’t buy that kind of promotion.”

But Johnston said there’s also more to the quaint little beach town than what swims offshore. In the past few years, a host of new businesses have opened

“Dana Point has changed so much; there are so many restaurants and businesses to experience,” she said. “Having an app that covers the Lantern District will show you places to eat and shop. We haven’t had that before. Before, it was always about Dana Point Harbor.”

The harbor remains popular, of course, especially as it undergoes a $600 million renovation that is expected to also bring more unique experiences and businesses to the area. New marinas are already in, and landside construction has begun with a three-level parking garage.

Once the app is even more developed, it will highlight special events in town, such as a trendy happy hour and live music.

“We’re this quaint, charming beach town that also happens to have world-class luxury resorts,” Johnston said, referring to the Ritz Carlton and the Waldorf Astoria of Monarch Beach. “While those are full-service resorts, the app would give people an opportunity to go off-property and find other restaurants that visitors might not otherwise be aware of. Also our locals, they won’t know about a new restaurant unless it comes up on social media.”

In addition to helping people navigate things around town, it also points out where to see public art.

Included in that is Watermen’s Plaza – on the south end of town – with life-size bronze statues of surf industry icons who made their name in Dana Point and “Stairwave,” a mosaic that flows along a 118-step staircase at Lantern Bay Park. The mosaic was created by artist Mia Tavonatti and was unveiled in August.

Mayor Jamey Federico said that, though Dana Point still retains its small-town charm and community character, the town is “more on people’s minds now as a destination.”

“The hard work the Visitor’s Bureau does getting our name out there and the new restaurants we have has really made a difference,” he said. “While we’ve grown up a bit, the community is the same. It’s popular because it’s a small town and a close-knit community. The character hasn’t changed, and people are finding out and remembering why Dana Point is such a fun place to come.”

For Johnston, the app – which also lets users request city services – is a first step in collaborating more with City Hall.

“The city came up with the idea,” Johnston said. “It’s a good collaboration. There’s lots of overlap with details and getting this app is the beginning of finding ways to get information to our community and visitors. It’s something to open the dialogue of what else we can partner on.”

It can be found at Apple – Dana Point on the App Store – and Google Play – Dana Point – Apps on Google Play.