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Dana Point is a city located in southern Orange County, California, United States. The population was 33,107 at the 2020 census. It has one of the few harbors along the Orange County coast, and with ready access via State Route 1, it is a popular local destination for surfing. It was recently designated the 'Whale Watching Capital of the World'. The city was named after the headland of Dana Point, which was in turn named after Richard Henry Dana, Jr., author of 'Two Years Before the Mast', which included a description of the area. Dana Point and the neighboring San Juan Capistrano are described as "the only romantic spot on the coast".