POPCULTURE · HISTORICAL MARKER
Surfin' Dana Point
San Clemente, California
· The Waves Were Killer
Pop Culture
4
Killer Dana was Dana Point’s notorious wave, known in calm weather as Dana Cove but famous when the surf rose above 10 feet and its thick, right-breaking curl lived up to its nickname. The 1966 construction of sea walls to protect Dana Point Harbor quelled the wave, and surfers mourned its demise even as its name and reputation endured. Harbor construction spared Dana Point’s other famous surf destination, Doheny, known locally as Doho, with four surf breaks—Boneyards, Reef, Second Spot, and Rivermouth—along with nearly a century of surfing history and a place in iconic Beach Boy songs. Doheny was California’s first state beach, donated for public use in memory of Edward L. Doheny Jr. in 1931.
FIND IT
San Clemente, California
CITY · 31 STOPSExplore San Clemente, California
Hear every story as you drive
4.8 Stars · 800+ Ratings
© 2026 MainEngine