Doheny State Beach
Coastal Flood Warning issued October 9 at 1:42PM PDT until October 11 at 3:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Warning, significant coastal flooding and erosion possible. For the Beach Hazards Statement, surf of 5 to 7 feet with local sets up to 9 feet. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, minor coastal flooding expected. * WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County Coastal Areas. * WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Warning, until 3 PM PDT Sunday. For the Beach Hazards Statement, from Sunday morning through Sunday evening. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 3 PM Sunday to 2 PM PDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Numerous roads and walking paths may be closed due to high water. Low-lying property including homes, businesses, and some critical infrastructure may flood. Shoreline erosion will occur during high tides in the mornings. Increased surf will lead to a high risk of rip currents. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Greatest impacts on Sunday morning from Tropical Storm Rachel in combination of increased swell, onshore winds, and high tides locally over 7 feet.
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 9 at 1:42PM PDT until October 11 at 10:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Warning, significant coastal flooding and erosion possible. For the Beach Hazards Statement, surf of 5 to 7 feet with local sets up to 9 feet. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, minor coastal flooding expected. * WHERE...San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County Coastal Areas. * WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Warning, until 3 PM PDT Sunday. For the Beach Hazards Statement, from Sunday morning through Sunday evening. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 3 PM Sunday to 2 PM PDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Numerous roads and walking paths may be closed due to high water. Low-lying property including homes, businesses, and some critical infrastructure may flood. Shoreline erosion will occur during high tides in the mornings. Increased surf will lead to a high risk of rip currents. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Greatest impacts on Sunday morning from Tropical Storm Rachel in combination of increased swell, onshore winds, and high tides locally over 7 feet.
Small Craft Advisory issued October 9 at 2:23PM PDT until October 11 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
* WHAT...Hazardous sea conditions. * WHERE...Portions of the coastal waters of southwest California. * WHEN...From 6 PM Saturday to 9 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...See the Coastal Waters Forecast (CWFLOX) for more.
Overview
Doheny State Beach is California's first state beach, established in 1931, located in Dana Point and attracting nearly one million visitors annually. The park is currently open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM with no current restrictions as of December 30, 2025. It operates as two distinct areas: a northern day-use section featuring a world-renowned beginner-friendly surf break (famously mentioned in the Beach Boys' 'Surfin' USA'), five-acre lawn, volleyball courts, and the Doho Cafe; and a southern camping area with 120 sites ranging from $50-65/night, some directly beachfront. Camping reservations show availability through mid-January 2026. The park features a visitor center with aquariums and tide pools (10 AM-4 PM daily), year-round lifeguard service, and bonfire rings available first-come, first-served. Day use vehicle entry is $15 ($20 during summer peak season). Key restrictions for campers: no enclosed tents (must be open on one side), no dogs on beach/sand (only on paved trail), no alcohol without permit, no RV pop-outs/awnings in parking areas. The park is adjacent to Dana Point Harbor and offers wheelchair-accessible facilities including a paved multi-use trail. An upcoming Capistrano-Doheny Beach Nature-Based Shoreline Adaptation Project will create a 'living shoreline' at the south end.
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