What if one of Southern California’s best summer adventures didn’t require a boat ticket, a reservation, or even a set itinerary? What if all it took was a clue, a passport, and a willingness to look a little closer at the town you thought you already knew?
That’s exactly the idea behind the return of the 3rd Annual Dana Point Citywide Scavenger Hunt, a month-long community adventure designed to turn Dana Point into one giant treasure map.
Running June 1 through June 30, 2026, the free, self-guided event invites participants to crisscross the city in search of clues, uncover local stories, complete interactive challenges, collect stamps, and discover corners of Dana Point many visitors and even longtime residents may have overlooked.
Organized by Stand Up To Trash, the scavenger hunt blends local history, environmental education, ocean culture, and family-friendly exploration into a citywide experience that stretches from Salt Creek and Lantern Village to Dana Point Harbor and Capistrano Beach.
What started as an effort to encourage people to get outside and engage with their community has quickly evolved into a local tradition.
Participants receive an official Dana Point Scavenger Hunt Passport, then follow a series of clues leading them through ten different destinations across the city. At each stop, explorers uncover fun facts, local history, environmental insights, hidden stories, and interactive activities before collecting a stamp and moving to the next destination. Completed passports are entered into a grand prize drawing featuring experiences and giveaways ranging from whale watching excursions and paddle adventures to sponsor gift certificates, harbor swag, and electronics prizes.
According to event organizers, the goal goes beyond simply reaching each destination.
“This event is about bringing people together through exploration, education and community connection,” said Vicki Patterson, Founder of Stand Up To Trash. “We love seeing families discover places they’ve never visited before while learning about Dana Point’s incredible history, culture, coastline and environmental importance.”
The experience begins at Young’s Beach Shack, where participants are invited to channel classic surf culture through an “Endless Summer” recreation challenge inspired by the iconic surf film imagery connected to Salt Creek Beach. Explorers are encouraged to strike their best surf pose and create their own version of Dana Point history.
From there, the route moves into Lantern Village, where clues reveal the colorful origins behind the district’s street names and participants are challenged to hunt for the lantern colors that once defined Dana Point’s identity as the “Community of Enchantment by the Sea.”
Nature takes center stage at the Dana Point Headlands, where visitors become explorers searching for native plants, marine wildlife, and reasons why the protected habitat remains important to the local ecosystem.
History fans will find plenty to uncover as well.
One stop sends participants in search of the former Scenic Inn, once known for oceanfront gatherings and coastal picnics. Another highlights Richard Henry Dana, challenging visitors to imagine arriving by ship nearly 200 years ago and documenting what the untouched California coastline may have looked like before roads and development transformed the region.
Dana Point Harbor’s own history appears throughout the route.
At Don Hansen Plaza, participants dive into whale-watching history and test their knowledge of the harbor pioneer who helped build Dana Point’s reputation as a destination for marine wildlife experiences.
Surf culture also gets its moment in the spotlight.
Stops include Killer Dana Surf Shop, where participants learn about Motorcycle Hill lore and the personalities that shaped Dana Point’s surf identity, as well as Watermen’s Plaza, where trivia celebrates legends including Hobie Alter, Bruce Brown, and the creators behind surfing, sailing, and media milestones that helped define California’s coastal culture.
The adventure finishes with stops inspired by Capistrano Beach’s historic beach club era and Louise Leyden Park, where visitors are encouraged to slow down, take in the blufftop scenery, and create their own artistic interpretation of Dana Point’s coastline.
Participants are encouraged to hold onto their passports even after collecting stamps because the booklet doubles as a discount guide throughout June.
Offers include a 25% savings on whale watching at Dana Wharf using code “Scavenge26”; opportunities to enter for complimentary dolphin and whale watching experiences through Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari; and discounted paddleboard and kayak rentals through Westwind Sailing.
Community sponsors helping support this year’s event include: Dana Point Harbor Partners, Frank’s Irvine Subaru, Dana Wharf, Young’s Beach Shack, Sunsets Bar & Grill, Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari, Visit Dana Point California, Westwind Sailing, Killer Dana, and the City of Dana Point.
Passports and event information will be available online, through participating sponsor locations, and at the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, beginning June 1.
For families looking for a summer activity, longtime residents wanting a fresh look at their hometown, or visitors searching for an excuse to wander a little farther than the harbor, Dana Point’s biggest treasure hunt may prove that some of the city’s best stories have been hiding in plain sight all along.
