Dana Point Historical Society

About Dana Point Historical Society

The Dana Point Historical Society is a volunteer-run nonprofit museum that preserves and celebrates the history of Dana Point. Visitors explore exhibits, archives, and photographs at the museum location housed at the Ocean Institute. The society maintains thousands of archived photographs documenting the city's past, from the hide trade era of the 1830s through the founding of Dana Point Harbor. A self-guided historic walking tour takes visitors through the oldest section of Dana Point on an easy route under two miles, passing harbor views, lantern-named streets, and the 1920s Mediterranean village architecture designed by S. H. Woodruff. The museum offers guided group tours by appointment. The society also provides volunteer programs and connects visitors with Dana Point history spanning over 200 years. Founded in 1987, the organization works with local nonprofits and the city to preserve historic buildings and landmarks that define the community's unique character.