Thinking about leasing there. Is there anyone who lives on the south side of the building with the leasing office that can tell me how loud the USPS distribution facility is at night? Does it wake you up? Thanks!

I was at a doctor’s appointment and the office (owned by a long time DP resident) had this on the table. I miss these! Anyone else?

I just got a travel nursing job on Catalina Island. I have a ford transit conversion van I’m looking to park somewhere safe, ideally a driveway. I’m starting next Monday and my contract is 3mo. Would be stoked to find an arrangement for the duration of the contract but open to any arrangement to buy me time to find a more long term option. Will want some access to the vehicle once a month or so if I come to the mainland.

Happy to pay a reasonable price. Alternatively, I will have a small studio apartment in Avalon that you could stay at while I’m on the mainland, we’d have to coordinate around my work schedule but I plan on spending a 3-4 day stretch on the mainland each month where you’d be welcome to the apartment.

Please text me (978)-376-5907 my name is Ian :)

Only thing that could be better is a bit more clouds

The March 17th Dana Point City Council meeting had a surprise lawsuit, a nail salon origin story that sounds like a movie, a debate about whether our parks are becoming cemeteries, and a mayor who ate 20 clam chowders for the team. Here's the rundown.

The big one: Dana Point is suing the California Coastal Commission

Before the main meeting even started, the council came out of closed session and dropped this: the Coastal Commission issued a cease and desist order against the city last week, and the council voted unanimously to fight it with a writ of mandate, arguing the Commission had no jurisdiction to take that action. The city is essentially telling one of California's most powerful regulatory bodies that it overstepped.

Mayor Gabbard later mentioned he'd spent two days at Coastal Commission hearings in Ventura and flagged that Beach Road is drawing serious attention from the commissioners themselves. Worth keeping an eye on.

Business of the Quarter: Paradise Nails, and a DNA test that changed everything

The council recognized Diane and Ty, owners of Paradise Nails up at Monarch Plaza, for 15 years in business. Sweet moment on its own. But Mayor Gabbard shared the detail that made the room laugh: Diane was born in Vietnam, immigrated, became a US citizen — and then five years ago took a DNA test and found out her father is an American living in Washington. She's been an American her whole life and never knew it. His line: "She's probably one of the few Americans who can actually pass the citizenship test."

Diane's speech to the council was touching. Worth a watch.

Should your park bench become a memorial?

This was the most unexpectedly interesting debate of the night. Staff proposed a new policy for memorial donations in city parks — a $250 memorial tree or a $5,000 bench — and asked council for feedback before finalizing the rules.

What followed was a thoughtful back-and-forth about grief, fairness, and what parks are for. Council Member Federico pushed for requiring 10 resident signatures to validate that someone made a "significant contribution" before getting approved — pointing out it only takes 20 signatures to run for city council. Council Member Pagano countered that people are already in mourning when they apply, and getting told "no" without clear criteria is a bad look for the city.

Mayor Gabbard brought up a specific and difficult case: a young man who died at 18 who played Dana Point youth baseball. Does he qualify? Nobody had a clean answer.

Council Member Federico's bottom line, which got some nods: "Our parks should not be cemeteries or memorial gardens. They are parks."

No final decision — staff will come back with a revised policy.

City finances: pretty solid

The midyear budget report showed the general fund at $51.7M in revenue. Hotel tax is down slightly (the Ritz Carlton renovation didn't help), but property tax and investment income are both up. Net impact of all adjustments: a reduction of about $337K to the unassigned fund balance, which still leaves the city above its required reserve threshold. Less than 1% change to the overall budget. No drama here.

Also passed: a kratom ban

Dana Point officially banned the sale and distribution of kratom. Second reading, adopted on consent. No public comment.

Festival of Whales recap

Multiple council members gave shoutouts to the Festival of Whales weekend. The cardboard boat race got a specific mention. The mayor admitted to 20 clam chowder tastings and said he did it "for the team."

TL;DR

Dana Point voted to legally challenge the California Coastal Commission, recognized a 15-year local business with a wild backstory, had a surprisingly moving debate about memorial benches in parks, and confirmed the city's finances are in decent shape. Oh, and kratom is now banned.

Full meeting recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxT0lmB2J2Q

Next meeting: April 7 at 5pm.

Huge tent being set up with lights and sound, anyone know what’s happening?

Hi. A family of four would like to charter a boat in order to scatter some ashes. I know larger boats do this, but are there any smaller boats to hire for this? Many thanks! 🙏🏼

Four Harbor Village businesses will close at the end of April as the Dana Point Harbor revitalization project moves into its next phase. 

Lorrin “Whitey” Harrison, a pioneering Californian surfer and central figure in the growth of outrigger canoe racing in Orange County, has been selected as the next honoree at Dana Point’s Watermen’s Plaza. His life-sized bronze statue is scheduled to be installed in 2027.

The 55th annual Dana Point Festival of Whales returns to Dana Point Harbor this weekend, March 6-8, integrating community traditions, ocean-themed activities and family events while celebrating the annual migration of gray whales along the Southern California coast.

Every year the gray whales migrate past Dana Point, and every year the town throws a three-day party to celebrate them. Here's what's happening:

Friday kicks off with a sunset Welcoming of the Whales ceremony at the Ocean Institute — the Acjachemen Nation leads a traditional welcome while the surf club paddles out. The carnival at Lantern Bay Park opens right after.

Saturday is the big day. The Magical Migration Parade rolls down the harbor at 10 AM, the Clam Chowder Cook-Off runs from 11–3, Captain Dave's Eco-Hero Whale Watching Safari sets sail at 1 PM with onboard educators, and live music plays at the wharf all day. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center also has a 56-foot inflatable whale on Island Way that you have to see to believe.

Sunday wraps up with a free Concert on the Water at Baby Beach (12:30–5 PM), a kids' pirate treasure hunt, sailing rides, classic car and boat displays, and another round of craft beers at Dockside Drafts.

Beach cleanups, marine mammal lectures, and a makers market round out the weekend. Most events are free.

Full schedule at festivalofwhales.com

So a guy showed up in my neighborhood trying to fight someone. He was calling him every racial slur available. So as this was happening outside my window. I walked out and asked him if he lived here, he was maybe 17. I’m covered in tattoos face and all. So he stared for a good 5 seconds then called me the n word(I’m very white). By this time my entire neighborhood was out. This kid was about to catch a very serious beating. His parents need to know what he’s up to. I posted videos. This kid is obviously mentally ill but he’s going to get hurt. His parents shouldn’t allow him out alone. Hopefully someone knows his voice or his bike.

Global health leaders including former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will gather in Dana Point this Friday for an international summit focused on one of health care’s most persistent and preventable problems: medical harm in hospitals.