Things To Do In Dana Point

Dana Wharf Whale Watching's expert crews and skippers glide their watercrafts on the open seas so visitors can soak up sunshine while searching for rare and endangered whales as they migrate south to avoid tax season. Expert captains steer crafts through frothy spumes and narrate each trip, educating passengers on the abundant life beneath the glassy waters. Voyagers can either venture into the boat's full-service galley for a hot meal or bring their own food and nonalcoholic drinks to stave off hunger and resist eating the ocean's jagged, hamburger-shaped coral.

The elegant artisan-styled Romance on the Water bridal fair exhibits an eclectic array of resources and local vendors to assist brides-to-be in crafting their vision for matrimonial merriment. Delectable hors d'oeuvres and live music from an on-site DJ sate gallivanting bridal buffs as they seek inspiration in chic surroundings designed by a modish crop of top-notch vendors that, in past fairs, have included Crate & Barrel, The Cupcake Store, and Krista Jon Floral & Botanical Stylist. Jo Malone, Disney Fairy Tale Weddings, and Frette Linens are set to join the May 22 fair's roster.

Snorkeling provides land-lubbing humans with an easy, thrilling opportunity to meet their distant marine neighbors and escape the summer heat. In one two-hour joyride, the skilled seafarers at Riviera Yacht Charters will board passengers on a gorgeous Coast Guard-certified vessel for a breezy tour of the ocean surface, leaving dazzling figure eights and calligraphy spelling out the names of famous horses in its wake. They'll then outfit each explorer in snorkeling gear in preparation for an underwater tour of coastal kelp forests, reefs, and coral sandscrapers, where a certified PADI underwater naturalist will take the time to identify the marine creatures that cross your goggled pathway. Call ahead to schedule your trip.

From the shores of Big Bear Lake and Dana Point, it's not uncommon to see someone flying high above the waves. But they're not using a hang-glider or an albatross on growth hormones. They're riding one of Action Aqua Flight's flyboards, contraptions that allow their riders to shoot into the air and cut through the surf atop plumes of water. A board beneath the rider's feet thrusts them upward via two massive jets, while two arm-based streams allow the wearer to stabilize and turn. All the while, an instructor follows behind on a jet ski, supplying the board with pressurized water and relaying instructions via headset. Sessions are bookended by calming cruises aboard a pontoon boat, and riders can opt to have their flights recorded for posterity.

Spout jets shoot from beneath your feet, launching you from the water's surface, over boats and wildlife. But the experience doesn't hinge on magic or a bribe slipped to Aquaman. Instead, Fly Jet Sports' licensed instructors teach guests how to control their own FlyBoards—water-powered jetpacks strapped to boots and fueled by a current shot through a long, flexible hose. Instructors send FlyBoard users out off the coast of Dana Point, Newport Beach, and Long Beach with the skills to travel nearly 30 feet high or down to 8 feet below the surface. The boards also let their operators reach speeds up to 18.5 miles per hour when towed by a jet ski or chased by an amorous whale.

Fashion Destination Group strives to bring local designers, brands, and businesses into the fashion spotlight through various events throughout the year. On Saturday, June 9, their Summer Fete showcases myriad designs, exhibitors, and stylish ensembles to be explored by fashion-forward audience members. During the afternoon, participants can stop by seminars helmed by industry insiders to learn about new trends, and attend the afternoon fashion show on the grand lawn, where models donning the creations of renowned designers strut their wearable pieces of art.