Orange County Real Estate and Events Information.

It's that time of the year again!!! (Really?) And we wanted to already share the activities that we know of that are happenning in the gorgeous city of Dana Point as part of the Holiday Season, with an early start this November 2012. 

Quick commercial: if you are interested in moving to this wonderful city, and are curious about what's currently listed for sale, visit our Dana Point Real Estate section for information. 

Back to the fun!

During November, we have:

• Saturday, November 17, 2012 : Surfing Santa Competition (starts at 7:30am)

Dress up like Santa, surf Salt Creek and raise money for Surfers Healing and children with Autism. The Third Annual Surfing Santa Competition includes divisions for Santa’s Helpers (15 and under), Santa’s Elves (16-20 year olds), Toymakers (ages 20+), Yule Loggers (open long board), and Flying Rudolph (big air). There is a $1,000 prize for the Big Air Flying Rudolph winner. Entry fee is $40 per person; $50 per person after November 15 and includes the contest and a Surf Swag Bag.$40 per entry; $50 per entry after November 15th.

• Sunday, November 18, 2012; 4 p.m. Holiday Tree Lighting

Resort guests and the local community are invited to the annual Tree Lighting at the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point. The festive event includes holiday music and a visit by Santa Claus.

• Thursday November 22, 2012 : Dana Point Turkey Trot

The Dana Point Turkey Trot is a USA Track & Field sanctioned event and is part of the Southern California USATF Championship, 2012 Road Running Grand Prix Series. Tour the beautiful beaches, majestic cliffs and coves of Dana Point. Feel the pounding surf and cool ocean breezes as you sail through the Dana Point Marina and Doheny State Park

• November 17 through December 31, 2012 : Holiday "FantaSeaLand" Gingerbread Display

Sugar, spice and everything nice. You are invited to come to the resort to see the Holiday "FantaSeaLand" Gingerbread Display at the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point. The pastry team will spend more than 400 hours to create the gingerbread display that will highlight a Holiday "FantaSeaLand" theme. The display is made from gingerbread, doughnuts, sugar cubes, waffles, pretzels, cream puffs, rolls, cookies, crackers, cereal, macaroons, dried fruit, chocolate shavings, candy, candy and more candy.

• November 17 through December 31, 2012: Fifth Annual Holiday Surfboard Auction

Unique surfboards will be auctioned off during the Fifth Annual Holiday Surfboard Auction, where all proceeds will go to Surfers Healing, a surf camp which introduces children with autism and their families to the therapeutic properties of surfing. The surfboard auction features boards from surfing stars, celebrities and artists and will be on display at the Ritz Carlton Dana Point from November 17 through December 31, with the bidding closing at noon on December 31, 2012. Check out the auction at www.biddingforgood.com/surfershealing 

• Sunday November 25 2012: Tree Lighting and Sand Sculpture Dedication

Guests and locals are invited to visit The St. Regis Monarch Beach for this year’s Tree Lighting and Sand Sculpture Dedication. Featuring guest hostess Tori Spelling, festive treats, visits with Santa Claus, holiday carolers and hot cocoa and cider.This year's sand sculpture and raffle proceeds will be dedicated to Make-A-Wish Foundation.

• Friday, Nov 30, 4:30pm - 8pm :  Holiday in the Harbor - Open House ( Mariner’s Village/Alley & Dana Wharf)

Santa will hear your Christmas wishes and is available for photos (bring your camera). The three areas of the Harbor, Dana Wharf Mariners Village and Mariner”s Alley will all host holiday activities geared to families and children. There are many fun activities planned, including photos with Santa, performances by various characters, and holiday crafts, people painting, and a caricature artist. So, bring friends and family down to enjoy the Harbor°s Holiday spirit. Activities start on the grass in front of Harpoon Henry°s at 34555 Golden Lantern, Dana Point Harbor (and Dana Point Harbor Drive).

 During December the fun gets better and continues with:

• Saturday, December 1st and Sunday December 2nd: Boat Rides with Santa 

From 10am-2pm at the Dana Wharf Sportfishing Docks, come aboard for a twenty-minute Harbor cruise with Santa and his helpers. Santa will be hearing those Christmas wishes as you cruise the Harbor. Bring your cameras for pictures with Santa. A $3 Donation to the El Camino Real Junior Woman`s Club would be appreciated. What a unique and fun way for kids of all ages to visit with Santa, so dress warm. Location: East end of Dana Point Harbor at Dana Wharf Sportshing docks, 34675 Golden Lantern, between the Jolly Roger and the Wind & Sea. Boats donated by Dana Wharf Sportshing.

• Thursday, December 6th 2012 : Santa Photos

From 3pm to 5pm, At El Torito Courtyard bring your cameras for a picture and visit with Santa! 

• Friday, December 7th & Saturday, December 8th: 38th Annual Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights! (see below for more information)

• Saturday, December 8th 2012 : Strolling Jr. Carolers

From  4-5pm.

• Saturday, December 8th 2012: Winter Festival at La Plaza Shopping Center

The City of Dana Point will host this event with many activities like cookie decorating, Santa’s Reindeer, Holiday Craft Fair, Carnival Games, Children’s Petting Zoo, Real Snow Play Area, Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Movie in the park. La Plaza is located off PCH and La Plaza in Dana Point.

• Thursday December 13th : Santa Photos

From 3pm to 5pm at the Dana Wharf, bring your cameras for a picture and visit with Santa! 

• Saturday, December 15: Strolling Jr. Carolers

From 2pm - 4pm on the 15th.

• Saturday, December 15th, 2012: Santa Paws!

From 10am-3pm at El Torito Courtyard, the Pet Project Foundation is excited to host the 2nd Annual Santa Paws event. Bring down your favorite pet and have their picture taken with Santa for a small fee. All fees go to support the Pet Project Foundation. www.petprojectfoundation.org

• Friday, December 14th & Saturday December 15th 2012: 38th Annual Boat Parade of Lights

This wonderful event starts at 7:30pm at the Water’s Edge. Boaters from all around Orange County decorate their boats and vie for the awards of Judges Choice, Best

 Theme, Best Use of Lights, Best Animation, Most Colorful, Most Original, Best Sailboat, Best Powerboat and the Perpetual Trophy for the Yacht Club with the Most Entries, along with many other awards and cash prizes! Be part of the parade and enter your own boat, contact us at (949) 496-5794 or pick up an entry form at Dana Wharf Sportshing or online at www.danawharfsportshing.com or www.danapointharbor.com. You can view the parade free from anywhere in the Harbor, or make reservations at  the restaurants to view it from a cozy and warm spot. Come on down and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.

Dana Point Harbor is located at 34555 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA. Take the I-5 Freeway to Dana Point. Traveling South, exit the Pacic
Coast Highway o ramp 86 veer right and turn left onto Dana Point Harbor Drive. Traveling North, exit Beach Cities o ramp 86 veer left. Turn left onto Dana Point Harbor Drive.