Dana Point

Jasmine's take on Dana Point

"Dana Point isn't one market. It's several, and they're priced very differently. Ritz Pointe is a guard-gated community near the Ritz-Carlton where smaller condos can come in under $1 million. Niguel Shores is a guard-gated community popular with families, with its own private beach access. The Lantern District is the city's historic town center, walkable to the harbor. And at the top end are the bluff-top estates of Monarch Bay and The Strand at Headlands."

— Jasmine Sayeed, REALTOR®, Broker / Founder, Melati Real Estate Group

What you'll find for housing

Dana Point is mostly single-family homes. About 54% of its roughly 16,000 homes are detached houses, and two-thirds are single-family once townhomes are included. The rest are condos, apartments and a small number of mobile homes.

Much of the housing is older. About 61% of homes were built in the 1970s and 1980s, so inspections, permits and remodel history are worth a close look.

Source: SCAG local housing data for Dana Point, April 2021, using California Department of Finance and American Community Survey estimates.

Schools

Dana Point is served by the Capistrano Unified School District. Its public high school is Dana Hills High School, which opened in 1972.

Assigned elementary and middle schools depend on the address. Confirm them for the exact home with Capistrano Unified before you buy.

Getting around

Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) runs through the city along the coast, and the 5 freeway is a short drive inland. Dana Point sits about 59 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 65 miles northwest of San Diego.

From the harbor, the Catalina Express runs boats to Avalon on Catalina Island.

Beaches, harbor and open space

Highlights along the coast:

• Salt Creek Beach: a county beach park off Pacific Coast Highway, known for surfing, with an offshore reef that shapes its waves. It also has tide pools, body surfing, restrooms with outdoor showers, and a seasonal snack stand.
• Doheny State Beach: 41 acres given to the State of California in 1931 by the Doheny family.
• Strands Beach (also called Strand Beach): reached by public stairs and a funicular built as part of The Strand at Headlands development.
• Dana Point Headlands: 68 acres open to the public, with a nature center and walking trails. On a clear day the view reaches Catalina Island.
• The harbor: home to the Ocean Institute, nearby tide pools and whale watching. The city has held its Festival of Whales every March since the early 1970s.

The market right now

The median Dana Point home sold for $1,948,710 over the three months ending August 2026, up 6.2% from a year earlier. Homes sold in a median of 43 days, down from 60 a year ago, and 115 homes sold in August.

That citywide median hides a wide range. At Ritz Pointe, eight condos on Corniche Drive closed between April and August 2026 for $599,000 to $880,000. One-bedrooms sold for $599,000 to $645,000 and two-bedrooms for $875,000 to $880,000.

Sources: Redfin, Dana Point housing market, read October 5, 2026; Ritz Pointe sales from CRMLS records via Redfin.

Dana Point questions, answered

What do homes cost in Dana Point?

The median home in Dana Point sold for $1,948,710 over the three months ending August 2026, up 6.2% from a year earlier, according to Redfin. Prices range widely by community, from condos under $1 million to bluff-top estates.

What does a condo cost at Ritz Pointe in Dana Point?

Eight condos at Ritz Pointe, a guard-gated community near the Ritz-Carlton, closed between April and August 2026 for $599,000 to $880,000, according to CRMLS records.

How long do homes take to sell in Dana Point?

The median home sold in 43 days over the three months ending August 2026, down from 60 days a year earlier, according to Redfin.

What school district serves Dana Point?

Capistrano Unified serves Dana Point, and Dana Hills High School is the city's public high school.

What kinds of homes are in Dana Point?

About 54% of Dana Point's roughly 16,000 homes are detached single-family houses. Townhomes, condos and apartments make up most of the rest, and about 61% of homes were built in the 1970s and 1980s.

Is Dana Point its own city?

Yes. Dana Point incorporated on January 1, 1989.

Which real estate agent serves Dana Point?

Jasmine Sayeed, REALTOR®, Broker / Founder of Melati Real Estate Group (DRE 02051340), works with buyers and sellers in Dana Point and across Orange County. Book a call.

Sources: Dana Point, California · Living in Coastal OC — Niguel Shores · Brad Feldman Group — Dana Point neighborhoods · OC Parks — Salt Creek Beach