The Great Dana Point Lunch Crawl

Perched along Orange County’s southern coast, Dana Point may only cover 6.5 square miles, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. With its iconic harbor tucked into the cliffs, the city opens to the Pacific in one direction while rolling neighborhoods climb inland in the other. Home to just over 32,000 residents, Dana Point leans older and more established than many of its coastal neighbors, with a median age of 48 and a population that blends affluence with a love of the ocean. The vibe is equal parts laid-back and polished — boutique shops, galleries, and waterfront dining give it a refined edge, while surfers, sailors, and whale-watchers keep its adventurous spirit alive. Coined the “Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World™,” the town is dotted with million-dollar homes overlooking Doheny State Beach — California’s very first state beach — and adorned by trails that wend through the headlands with sweeping views of Catalina Island. Once famed for the thundering surf break known as “Killer Dana,” Dana Point has grown into a hub where coastal living meets sophistication, offering visitors and locals alike a chance to relax, explore and, in this case, eat their way through...