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Tuesday 1pm - 3pm Thursday 1pm - 3pm Saturday 1pm - 3pm

Dana Point Historical Society

Name: Dana Point Historical Society
Address: 33282 Golden Lantern Street, Ste 104, Dana Point, CA, 92629, US
Telephone: +19492488121
Price range: $

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Dana Point Historical Society

Celebrating and preserving the history of Dana Point, Capistrano Beach and Monarch Beach, California.

The Dana Point Historical Society advocates to formally acknowledge the collection of historic buildings that contribute to the eclectic visual character of the community and serve as reminders of Dana Point’s rich and colorful past, for the enrichment of current and future generations.

06/01/2026

ON THIS DAY IN DANA POINT HISTORY --- Doheny beach is donated to the state in 1931 by oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny making it the first state beach in California.

05/14/2026

Special Events Chair Elizabeth Bamattre introduced our program last week, which featured Chris Lobo, a 9th-generation Mission Indian, whose family has been intimately involved in tribal affairs since the early 1900s. His presentation highlighted the history of the Mission Indians in southern California. In 2002, he founded his own wine company, Native Hands Wines. Chris discussed his Native American heritage as well as his years of experience with crafting wine selections. A reception followed the presentation at our museum where Chris served samples of his wines and sold specially discounted bottles, of which he generously donated the proceeds to our Society. A few bottles of cabernet remain for sale at our museum ($20 each). If you miss out, you can purchase his wines at BarVino, conveniently located at La Plaza in downtown Dana Point.

05/09/2026

Outreach Booth Chair Gary Macrides managed our booth for May's Redo Market. Tile painting for the Baby Beach Tile Wall was a popular item, run by Chair Randy Roberts, pictured on left, with Membership Chair Jeff Lander, who helped with merchandise sales. Also pictured is the Garcia family taking part in tile painting. Society Vice President Bob Minty (in white shirt) showed off his Woody Wagon classic hotrod to interested passers-by.

05/03/2026

Remember to join us on Wednesday, May 6, in City Hall Council Chambers at 6 p.m. where our featured speaker will be Chris A. Lobo, a 9th-generation Mission Indian, with ancestral ties to three Mission Tribes: Juaneño, Luiseno and Diegueño.
In 2002, he founded his own wine company, Native Hands Wines, focusing on sales and marketing.
Chris will discuss his Native American heritage as well as his years of experience with crafting wine selections. A reception follows the presentation at our museum where Chris will allow us to sample his various vintages.
Board members will be on hand to help any members who need to renew their dues and to help any newcomers who wish to join the Society.

05/02/2026

Remember to stop by the Dana Point Historical Society's outreach booth during Sunday's Redo Market on Del Prado. We will have our popular "Last Day of Killer Dana" t-shirts as well as our Hawaiian shirts which feature landmarks of Dana Point. Our booth will also include a separate tent where you can create a tile to be permanently installed on the seawall at Baby Beach. Look for us near the original 1920s Woodruff sales office which is located at the west end of Del Prado.

04/27/2026

Join us at our outreach booth on Sunday, May 3, at the Redo Market on Del Prado from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Board vice-president and Outreach Booth Chair Gary Macrides will have a large variety of merchandise for sale including our historic photos, local history books, Dana Point Hawaiian shirts, collectible ornaments, Dana Point Afghans, T-shirts, caps and a variety of other items. Tile Wall Chair Randy Roberts will also have a full setup of blank ceramic tiles and paints for you to create your one-of-a-kind plaque to be later installed on the seawall at Baby Beach. Stop by to say hello and have a fun day of vintage shopping along the way!

04/17/2026

This photo, recently featured in the Dana Point Times, was used by developer Sidney H. Woodruff for the promotion of Dana Point properties. It shows the Blue Lantern Gazebo in its original condition, which included windows. The faux wood fencing (actually made of concrete) indicates it was probably taken around 1928. The gazebo is presently fenced off. The Historical Society is currently in talks with Orange County deciding how to preserve this structure. This photo is available in higher resolution from our Society or by purchasing online (item P11) through our website. Our museum hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 1-3 p.m., 949-248-8121.

04/13/2026

SPECIAL PROGRAM ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 6

Join us Wednesday, May 6, in City Hall Council Chambers at 6 p.m. where our featured speaker will be Chris A. Lobo, a 9th-generation Mission Indian, with ancestral ties to three Mission Tribes: Juaneño, Luiseno and Diegueño. As one of the core families of San Juan Capistrano, his lineage can be traced through Mission sacramental records to at least eight village sites. Currently, he is an active citizen of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians. His family has been intimately involved in tribal affairs since the early 1900s. His great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles were fierce advocates for Indian rights, serving in leadership roles within the Mission Indian Federation and Tribe. Notably, Chris’s uncle, Clarence H. Lobo, served as Chief of the Juaneños for 39 years, advocating for federal acknowledgment of their people and ancestral territory.

Professionally, Chris’s beverage experience spans more than 38 years, beginning as an opening team member at the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point and culminating in a 15-year tenure as Beverage Director of Operations, which he completed in 1999. In 2002, he founded his own wine company, Native Wines, focusing on sales and marketing. During this time, he collaborated with many iconic brands and some of the finest restaurants and retailers in the region.

Chris will discuss his Native American heritage as well as his years of experience with crafting wine selections with Native Hands Wines. A reception follows the presentation at our museum where Chris will allow us to sample his various vintages. Please join us for a very special evening.

04/06/2026

A reminder that the Dana Point Historical Society will be awarding two $1000 scholarships honoring prominent women in the history of our community. The deadline for submittal is fast approaching!

Doris I. Walker was a historian and the author of many books about local history as well as a founding member of the Dana Point Historical Society. Barbara F. Johannes is President Emeritus and Historian of the Dana Point Historical Society.

ALL graduating High School students who live in the City of Dana Point (92629 or 92624) and are planning to attend community college, university or trade school are eligible. The award is based on need, interest in history and community service.
The deadline for submitting applications is April 17, 2026. Please include a transcript and 1-2 letters of recommendation.

The application can be filled out electronically here and will be sent to DPHS:

https://forms.microsoft.com//pages/responsepage.aspx?id=hvJjzbO2IUefgPRsajMobpLN6l8rZQNHgNxbfJsWlFpURENHMElIVTY0VUxCMUdSMFVOMVpGTjMxUy4u&fromie=true

Interested students can also contact their school guidance counselor for an application.

03/30/2026

This Day in Dana Point History: March 29, 2020: Overnight, the replica of the brig Pilgrim sinks at her slip in Dana Point Harbor. Photo courtesy of Picket Fence Media.

Address

33282 Golden Lantern Street, Ste 104
Dana Point, CA
92629

Opening Hours

Tuesday	1pm - 3pm
Thursday	1pm - 3pm
Saturday	1pm - 3pm

Telephone

+19492488121

Website

http://www.danapointhistorical.org/

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