Salt Creek Beach (Dana Point, California)

It was a whirlwind of a weekend. 20 hours of driving, for one day in paradise. Just beyond the concrete jungle and bumper to bumper traffic of Los Angeles are some of the cutest cities and most gorgeous beaches California has to offer.

My goal for the weekend was to attend my cousin's wedding, (Which by the way, was lovely. If only all brides could be so stunningly beautiful...) But how can you drive 10 hours each way and not go to the beach?

I picked up my sister in law on the way down (because 10 hours in a car by myself is not really my idea of fun...). My niece and her husband live in San Juan Capistrano and were the best tour guides you could ask for. They took us to one of their favorite spots, Salt Creek Beach Park in Dana Park.

It was very clear why they love this beach. My pictures of it don't do it justice, but even so my unfiltered, unaltered pictures taken with my phone give you some idea of what it was like.

The Stats: Salt Creek Beach Park
Location: 33333 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA

Cost: Parking $1/hr

Hours: 5am - 12am

Amenities: Grassy Area with: restrooms, picnic tables, water fountains, BBQ's, & basketball court

There are A LOT of steps down to the beach, but don't worry too much, there is a little tram to help those that don't want to or can't walk down/up the stairs. We tried to get my 6 month pregnant niece to use the tram but she was a trooper and hiked it all the way down and back up!

I love all the plants and flowers that grow near the ocean. (Oh how I wish plants like that would grow up here in the fiery furnace of Shasta County! But that 115 degree heat is brutal on vegetation.)

I'm not a surfer, but my nephew-in-law is and he said this was a great beach for surfing. The ocparks.com website says, "Salt Creek Beach Park is a popular surfing location. A small, offshore reef creates some of the best left swells along the entire coastline. Swimming, body surfing, sunbathing, and tide pool exploration (all tide pool inhabitants are protected) are other beach activities."

The houses along the beach were incredible. We imagined what it would be like to live there and what type of jobs people must have to be able to afford a house on the beach in Dana Point. <sigh>

We definitely will be back next month for a day of relaxing on the beach after we take the kids to Disneyland.

Have you been to Salt Creek Beach? What's your favorite beach in Southern California?