The Dana Point Caves

Also known as the Pirate's Caves, these caves in Dana Point, CA offer beautiful secluded views of the Pacific ocean. Because they face out to sea and are located at the tip of a headland, many people don't even know they exist since you can only see them from the outside via boat. The entrance to the main cave is also completely out of sight up to the point you are about five feet away from the entrance due to a sharp corner than gives off the illusion of a dead end.

Legend has it that when the old San Juan mission was invaded by pirates, they took with them a beautiful woman whom was later rescued by her lover and taken off the pirates' vessel. The couple apparently stayed in these caves for safety. However, they never made it out and their bones were later discovered in the caves. The legend says a diablito in the form of an octopus lived in one of the caves and ended up eating them alive [Los Angeles Times, August 29, 1888].

Legends aside, the only thing to be mindful of is the half mile walk along rocks to get to these caves. Also, it's ideal to go during a lower tide and smaller surf. During high tide, there's a good chance the entrance to the main cave will be flooded with water and, if there's larger waves, will make getting the the second cave alongside the main one much more difficult.

Along the way, keep an eye out for dolphins and seals as these animals tend to pass through the area fairly often thanks to the concentration of kelp forests and fish.

More often than not, the caves are empty of other people and provide a great place to enjoy the view and sounds of crashing waves in a secluded area. In the winter, the sunset usually lights up the cave before sinking below the horizon adding to the surrounding beauty.

Parking is usually pretty easy unless you're visiting on a weekend in the summer. The lot near Baby Beach is your best bet, just make sure not to park where the Ocean Institute is as that is a private lot reserved for visitors to the institute. You'll walk past that lot and onto a dirt path behind the institute that eventually turns into sand. From there, veer to the right and you'll see a set of stairs with fencing around it - that's the entrance!

Sources: Olvera, Carlos. “It's History: Cave? Pirates? Rumrunners?” Dana Point Times, 8 July 2013, https://www.danapointtimes.com/its-history-cave-pirates-rumrunners/.