SOUTH OC’S COASTAL GEMS WORK TO PRESERVE UNIQUE CHARMS
DANA WHARF SPORTFISHING OFFERING SUMMER OF FUN
“Everyone enthusiastically supports protecting our roots and welcoming visitors to experience it for themselves,” Dana Point whale-watching tour operator Gisele Anderson says. (Jay Spring/Contributor)
BY JIMMY MAGAHERN
From the Festival of Whales in Dana Point to the Fourth of July office chair races in San Clemente, tourists have always had plenty of reasons to flock to the South Orange County coastal cities — not the least of which being the coast itself.
But increasingly, Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano are each confronting their own challenges accommodating the surging tourist numbers while maintaining the unique qualities that have made them such a draw to visitors in the first place — and, most importantly, to the locals who’ve chosen to live here.
All three cities face common challenges with the visiting hordes. Ensuring that new developments enhance the tourist experience without compromising the natural and historical integrity of the areas — and clogging up traffic — is a big one.
So is implementing practices that protect the environment and local communities from the adverse effects of all these trampling, littering but economy-boosting out-of-towners.
So what are each of the cities doing to continue accommodating visitors while protecting the character, natural beauty and diversity of their locales? Go. See. Do. takes a coastal vacay to check each one out.
Dana Point
Like many in Dana Point, Gisele Anderson has one foot in the local tourist economy and one on the ground in her neighborhood — or, more often, on a boat in Dana Point Harbor.
Together with her husband Dave, she runs Capt.
Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Safari, one of the two top whale-watching tour companies in what the city has trademarked the “Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World.”
Obviously, tourism significantly contributes to keeping the Andersons’ boats afloat, but the couple is also deeply passionate about marine conservation, with Dave initiating Orange County’s first whale disentanglement team in 2008 to raise awareness of the thousands of whales and dolphins that die in fishing-gear entanglements every day worldwide, and hosting beach cleanups to keep plastic and trash out of the ocean.
Yet when asked if she’s concerned that increased tourism could lead to harming the natural environment and sea life, Gisele sounds unconcerned.
“We’ve not noticed any negative impacts from either DP’s increased popularity nor the early stages of the revitalization,” she said, referring to the ongoing revitalization of Dana Point Harbor that aims to enhance tourist facilities by upgrading retail and dining as well as public access to the waterfront. “Honestly, all the locals love our city’s and harbor’s special charm and work together to preserve it. Everyone enthusiastically supports protecting our roots and welcoming visitors to experience it for themselves.”
Nevertheless, tourism in Dana Point has led to some challenges, particularly related to traffic congestion and environmental impacts, especially during events like the Festival of Whales. The revitalization projects in the harbor, funded through a public-private partnership, are intended to address some of these issues by improving infrastructure
and public access while promoting sustainable tourism practices to protect the local environment.
Efforts are also focused on sustainable tourism practices, such as maintaining the cleanliness of the harbor and enhancing water quality. However, managing the balance between tourism growth and maintaining the city’s small-town coastal charm and environmental integrity remains a continuous effort
Tourism plays a substantial role in San Clemente’s economy, too, especially through its beaches, surfing events, and cultural attractions like the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens.
The economic value of San Clemente’s beaches alone is estimated at $37 million annually, according to its tourism board, with significant revenues generated from beach-related activities, parking fees and transient occupancy taxes — currently a tax equal to 10% of the rent charged by the operator of a hotel or short-term lodging unit (STLU) such as an Airbnb.
That last one may rise soon. A new California bill, SB 584, passed by the Senate, could add a 15% tax to STLUs on top of existing city and county occupancy taxes and would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. Proceeds would go back to local governments as grants to create more affordable housing.
But as much as tourism adds to San Clemente’s economy and boosts local business revenue, some locals are already becoming wary of “tourism gentrification,” defined by one critic as “the commercialization of local culture,” which can undermine
the authentic character of places and, more crucially, lead to rising home prices and rental costs, potentially displacing long-term residents and altering the community’s character.
This can be seen even in something as whimsical as San Clemente’s annual office chair race, that unique Fourth of July tradition where participants gather to race down Avenida Rosa on souped-up office chairs amidst a friendly street-wide water balloon fight. Locals on Reddit complained that last year’s event turned violent, with some observers tossing frozen water balloons.
“The frozen water balloons weren’t coming from apartments,” one commentator wrote. “They were from idiots on the street. Visitors ruined a beloved neighborhood event. Social media and the need to share cool (stuff) for ‘likes’ sucks.”
Increased traffic congestion is another significant problem, particularly during peak tourist seasons. The city has implemented measures such as the open-air trolley service to alleviate traffic and promote eco-friendly transportation options, and is also focused on enhancing its infrastructure sustainably, upgrading sidewalks, streets and parks.
But more urgent than saving residents from tourist-tossed frozen water balloons is saving its buildings from sliding into the sea. Coastal erosion remains a serious environmental challenge in San Clemente, and increased crowding of its beaches and coastal environment doesn’t help.
Significant efforts are being made to preserve and restore key historical sites like Casa Romanti-
Did that painting just wink at you? Rub your eyes and lean closer, because at the Pageant of the Masters, the line between canvas and reality blurs in a breathtaking display of living art. Witness real people transform into iconic masterpieces, brought to life with stunning costumes, captivating storytelling, and a live musical score that will leave you breathless. Don’t miss it!
Goin’ Native Therapeutic Gardens is marking its 10th anniversary as a nonprofit. The organization works to connect people of different ages to nature, as well as promote conservation and pollinators through the use of native plants.
The anniversary features the annual Festival of Butterflies on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Los Rios Park. The event will have live entertainment, educational talks, interactive activities, butterfly art, a beer and wine garden and prize giveaways. First Tee of Orange County will also set up a putting green, where young people can learn how to golf.
Founder Marianne Taylor said the organization used to have an event called the Eco-Garden Festival. In 2019, it pivoted to doing a butterfly festival as a result of an influx of the insects to the area.
“All of the purple lupines and the orange poppies covered the desert and the mountains,” she said. “It was just all of the right elements, with the weather, the climate and the rain, and with that super bloom, it created a massive migration of the Painted Lady
NAVIGATING from page 12
ca, which suffered some damage following recent landslides. The city has invested substantial funds in repairing and stabilizing this historic site, to ensure it remains a vibrant cultural hub.
San Clemente is also engaged in a long-term
BY LAURA LATZKO
butterfly, which looks like a tiny monarch.”
Taylor said that through the festival, she hopes to encourage people to interact with butterflies in more natural environments, such as butterfly gardens, instead of artificially created environments like enclosed butterfly cages.
“No. 1, butterflies don’t want to be that close to people in a small cage, and No. 2, they are released after those events,” Taylor said. “They are released in environments that don’t have the host nectar plants for them to be able to survive. So, these very little precious things that we’re trying to sustain actually die. … If you spend some time in a certified butterfly garden, you’ll see the butterflies flying back and forth and around. That is what we need to steer people to is watching nature in nature.”
Taylor also hopes that the event will encourage children to get outside, which she said is important to their growth and development.
“Having kids out in nature 20 minutes a day makes our kids smarter, healthier and happier,” said Taylor, who teaches 13- to 22-year-olds with
sand-replenishment project managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. This project aims to deposit large quantities of sand to stabilize and enhance the beaches, which are crucial for both tourism and local quality of life.
San Juan Capistrano
disabilities.
The butterfly festival had around 3,000 attendees in 2019 and had grown to between 6,000 to 7,000 last year.
During the event, Goin’ Native Therapeutic Gardens raises money through beer and wine sales, sponsorships, and the sale of paper and wood butterflies, which will be located on welcome arches. They are available for $1 to $5, depending on size.
Money raised during the event will help to support the organization’s nature programs at Los Rios and Reata parks, the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, and Casa de Amma. Los Rios and Reata parks are certified butterfly gardens, which volunteers help to care for and maintain.
“While caring for the gardens, they are learning about the different habitats that have their home at the parks and the type of fauna and flora that they need to survive,” Taylor said.
The park programs are open to volunteers of all ages and abilities.
As part of the children’s hospital program, Goin’
If you want to gauge the environmental impact of tourism in South Orange County, look no further than the swallows of Capistrano.
Some years ago, rampant development and increased tourist activity at Mission San Juan Capistrano, which annually draws over 330,000 visitors and serves as a cultural and historical focal point for the city, drove the celebrated cliff swallows from Argentina away from their traditional spring home in the mud nests built high on the mission’s stone cathedral walls.
In 2012, mission Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams launched her own mission, to woo the swallows back by enlisting the help of ornithologist Charles Brown, who built 30 plaster nests on the east wall and began broadcasting recorded calls of cliff swallows to attract nesters back to the spot they traditionally flocked back to each March. It took about five years, but the birds eventually returned.
Visitors have never stopped coming to San Juan Capistrano, though, which remains a popular tourist destination. The economic impact of tourism extends to local businesses, restaurants and shops that benefit from the influx, and the city regularly hosts events that celebrate its rich history and culture, further enhancing its appeal as a must-see spot.
But tourism in San Juan Capistrano, focused primarily on its historical and cultural sites, also brings challenges related to traffic and preservation. In-
Native Therapeutic Gardens works with children with mental health challenges, who help to care for on-site gardens. Taylor said this gives them a chance to learn about soil, plants and pollinators, including butterflies. The festival is accessible, as it is close to the San Juan Capistrano Metrolink station. Goin’ Native Therapeutic Gardens is partnering with Metrolink, which will have fares for $10 round trip for adults and free for children and teens under 17 on the day of the festival. Attendees are also encouraged to walk and bike to the event.
Strolling mariachi performers will lead guests from the train to the event. The festival will also have entertainment from butterfly stilt walkers and dancers, the Round About Players, and a threepiece acoustic group called the Salty Suites. Taylor said visitors often get into the spirit of the event with their attire.
“What’s really been fun is watching how people who are attending are all dressed up,” she said. “It’s
See BUTTERFLIES on page 18
creased tourist numbers have led to congestion, particularly around the mission and downtown areas. The city continuously works on infrastructure improvements to manage traffic flow, but it’s a constant battle between enhancing visitor experience and preserving the town’s historical integrity.
As the city’s primary tourist attraction, Mission San Juan Capistrano is meticulously maintained and continually enhanced to provide educational and cultural value to visitors. Outside of that, the city also regularly hosts events that celebrate its rich history and cultural heritage, walking the tricky tightrope between attracting more tourists while fostering community pride among its residents.
As cities go, San Juan Capistrano can be tough and uncompromising when it comes to ensuring that tourists don’t mess with its historical sites and natural beauty.
The city enforces restrictions on littering, vandalism and the destruction of natural habitats. Clear guidelines, disseminated through brochures, informational kiosks and digital platforms, are provided to visitors on how to respect and preserve the city’s historical and natural resources.
But if you violate them, look out. Violations can result in fines and other penalties to ensure the city’s motto, “Preserving the Past to Enhance the Future,” keeps visitors from ever driving those persnickety swallows away again.
BY ED CONDRAN
usic fans in Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano can kick back and enjoy the sun and sounds of the summer because the troika of SoCal cities will host an array of concerts from July through September.
Veteran blues rocker Ian Moore will perform July 3 at The Coach House. The Austin-born/Seattle-based singer-songwriter, who has opened for such icons as Bob Dylan and ZZ Top, will draw from his deep, eight-album canon.
Mr. Hand and Jeff Spicoli will be MIA at the Fast Times show, but the event featuring the ’80s cover band will roll on July 13 at The Coach House. Expect versions of songs crafted by Guns ‘N Roses, Depeche Mode and Bon Jovi. Score tickets now or you might be scalped by Mike Damone.
Classic soul and R&B will be delivered by Family Style as the group kicks off San Juan Capistrano Summer Nights July 17 at Historic Town Center.
Lovers of covers should enjoy a double bill of Billy Nation and Elton: The Early Years on July 14 at Dana Point: Concerts in the Park. The former is a Billy Joel tribute act, and the latter tips its hat to Sir Elton John. The Concerts in the Park series continues July 21 with ABBAfab, which will render songs from the
greatest Swedish band of all time. The second half of the double bill features the Spirit Band, which delivers Earth, Wind & Fire songs.
Veteran hard rockers Y&T, who are on their 50th anniversary tour, will perform July 20 at a sold-out Coach House.
The soulful Haley Reinhart, who made some noise as Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox’s featured vocalist, will play July 24 at The Coach House. The “American Idol” alum, who is an engaging live entertainer, will showcase her pop/R&B tunes.
One of Austin’s most revered singer-songwriters, Bob Schneider, will deliver his mix of funk, folk and rock July 27 at The Coach House.
Uptown Funk, a tribute to pop star Bruno Mars, will co-headline with Black Eyed Tease, a group that, naturally, covers the Black Eyed Peas, on July 28 at Dana Point’s Concerts in the Park.
God only knows how long the Beach Boys will continue to tour. Venerable Beach Boy Al Jardine and his Endless Summer Band will play the hits Aug. 2 at The Coach House.
The Reflexx, a Duran Duran cover band, and Saved by the ‘90s, who will perform hits from the Clinton era, are slated for Aug. 2 at Dana Point’s Concerts in the Park.
Midge Ure led Ultravox, which was one of the most-successful bands in the United Kingdom during the ’80s. (Midge Ure/ Submitted)
Inventive Mexican punk-pop band Division Miniscula hits the stage on Aug. 7 at the Observatory. Sweden’s second greatest band of all time, the Hives, will deliver its visceral alt-rock Aug. 8 at the Observatory.
The 1950s-flavored swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, who became a sensation during the ’90s, will perform “Zoot Suit Riot” and other hits Aug. 9 at The Coach House.
The underrated Bus Boys will perform Aug. 10 at The Coach House. The R&B veterans of “The Boys are Back in Town” fame still possess the energy that made the group one of the better live acts of the ‘80s.
Not many cover bands play two consecutive nights at a venue with the capacity of The Coach House, but not many tribute acts are on the level of Super Diamond. The Neil Diamond tribute act, which will hit the stage Aug. 23 and Aug. 24, plays the hits.
Fear, the legendary LA punk band, will play Aug. 27 at the Observatory.
One of the Bayou’s finest singer-songwriters, Tab
Benoit, and under-heralded songsmith Anders Osborne will co-headline Aug. 27 at The Coach House. Folk icon Tom Rush will perform Aug. 28 at The Coach House. Rush, who is the fodfather of singer-songwriters, wrote and recorded the folk standard “No Regrets,” which is aptly the signature song of his 60-year career.
Former Deep Purple bassist Glenn Hughes will perform an entire Deep Purple set Aug. 30 at The Coach House.
One of the most unsung figures in rock, Midge Ure, will play Aug. 30 at The Coach House. Ure is known by many as the co-writer of the Band Aid single “Do They Know It’s Christmas.” However, Ure is much more than the musician who co-wrote the classic benefit tune with Sir Bob Geldof. Ure led the brilliant Ultravox, which was one of the most-successful bands in the United Kingdom during the ’80s. Catch Ure perform such baroque Ultravox standards as “Vienna” and “Dancing with Tears in My Eyes.”
BY KYLIE WERNER
The Fourth of July is the perfect time to meet up with friends and family and show your patriotic pride. Whether it’s grabbing a spot to watch fireworks light up the night sky, racing down a Slip ‘N Slide, or relaxing on a beach as the Condor Squadron flies over your head, make this Independence Day one to remember.
JULY 4
This family-friendly event is new to the city of San Clemente, with activities, entertainment, food and drinks for everyone. The activities include a 300-foot Slip ‘N Slide, a 17-foot water slide, a giant inflatable 75-foot obstacle course, a pop-a-shot basketball contest, a community sidewalk chalk art mural, water-balloon-toss competitions, face painting and temporary tattoos, a bubble display, laser tag arena, and a military vehicle display by Camp Pendleton. Admission into the event space is free, and attendees can purchase an all-access activity wristband. The wristband is $7 for residents and $12 for nonresidents during presale until July 3, and $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents on-site the day of the event.
Downtown San Clemente, Avenida Rosa and Avenida Victoria (200 blocks), tickets start at $7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., sanclemente.org
JULY 4
The Condor Squadron Flyover is an annual tradition that features four AT-6 aircraft World War II trainers. The aircraft will fly from Huntington Beach to San Clemente after doing a 360 in the air and making two passes through each city. The flyover is expected to start at 5:30 p.m. in Huntington Beach, at 5:35 p.m. reach Newport Beach, at 5:45 p.m. get to Laguna Beach, at 5:50 p.m. over Dana Point, and conclude at 6 p.m. in San Clemente.
Condor Squadron Flyover, multiple locations, free, 5:30 to 6 p.m., san-clemente.org
4th of July Fireworks Cruise with Captain Dave’s
JULY 4
Residents and visitors can grab their friends and family to hop aboard one of Capt. Dave’s “funfilled” boats to witness Dana Point’s fireworks display. Attendees will be able to take in the coastal skyline while the sky lights up in vibrant colors and patterns.
Captain Dave’s, 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, tickets start at $72.20, 8 to 10 p.m., dolphinsafari.com
Dana Point Fireworks Show
JULY 4
The city of Dana Point is celebrating Indepen-
dence Day with its fireworks show, which has been recognized as Southern California’s best firework display. The city shoots off fireworks from a barge on the water off the coast of Doheny State Beach and even has a playlist of music for attendees to listen to while watching the show.
Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, free, 9 p.m., danapoint.org
Residents and visitors can head to the athletic fields located at Marco Forster Middle School for the annual San Juan Capistrano Fourth of July Celebration. The family-friendly event will feature live music, food, games, activities and a fireworks display. The activities will include face painting, a mechanical car ride, multiple bounce houses and several midway-type games. There will also be food trucks and small vendors for attendees to shop from.
Marco Forster Middle School, 25601 Camino del Avion, San Juan Capistrano, free, 2 to 9:30 p.m., sanjuancapistrano.org
City of San Clemente’s Annual Independence Day Celebration
The city of San Clemente is hosting its annual Independence Day celebration, which includes a 20-min-
ute firework display. To prepare for this, the city has some reminders for residents. At noon Wednesday, July 3, the end of the Municipal Pier will close for preliminary fireworks preparation; the entire pier will close at 8 a.m. July 4 for the day. The Fisherman’s Restaurant will remain open and accessible to patrons. Ocean access including swimming, surfing and wading will be closed 1,000 feet in both directions from the pier from 8 to 10 p.m. The beach and pier will also be closed to the public immediately after the fireworks display until the morning of Friday, July 5. The city reminds visitors and residents that overnight camping, smoking, and the consumption of alcohol are prohibited on all city beaches and park sites. The San Clemente Trolley will operate on a different schedule, and routes will be adjusted to accommodate street closures; to learn more, visit the city’s website and search “trolley.” For pedestrian safety, as well as to avoid major traffic problems, vehicular traffic will be restricted from approximately 7 to 10 p.m. in the lower Pier Bowl area adjacent to the pier. San Clemente Police Services will be present to conduct traffic control and assist people in exiting the Pier Bowl. San Clemente Pier, 622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, free, 9 p.m., san-clemente.org
BY KAILA MELLOS
For the past few months, Dana Point whale sightings have picked up, putting the namesake of the city to the test. As the dolphin and whale-watching capital of the world, it is a great summer activity for those who want to be out on the water exploring.
Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching has activities all summer long for those interested in both being on the water and engaging in active whale watching.
Live Music Cruise Series
Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching
is offering its annual live music series in the harbor starting in July. Those interested in joining the company for a music-filled night will board their 95-foot Dana Pride boat.
There is a mix of bands and genres for the eight shows, starting with Joint Committee, a rock/reggae band, on July 13; Sonic Gold, an ’80s and ’90s rock ’n’ roll band, on July 27; Grand Junction, a country band, on Aug. 10; Bunch of Guys Band, a rock ’n’ roll band, on Aug. 24; Sonic Gold, again, on Sept. 7; Rebel Robbie on Sept. 21; and Bunch of Guys Band on Oct. 5 and Oct. 19.
“There’s a mix of genres in the bands we will
have on board,” Nicole Lindstrom said on behalf of Dana Wharf. “The bands are all local, and one of them, Bunch of Guys, they play often with us and have a pretty big following. We have them on pretty often for our events.”
The live music cruises plan to stay in the harbor for a 90-minute journey at sunset.
“We don’t leave the harbor, so it’s perfect for people who are kind of nervous about being out on the open water or about getting seasick,” Lindstrom said. “We just stay within the harbor for our entertainment cruises.”
The boat also features a full bar, including wine,
beer (domestic and imported), and mixed drinks, meaning these events are 21 and above. Prices start at $38 with a limited-time sale, but regular-priced tickets are available for purchase on its website starting at $49.
As one of the whale-watching tour operators in the harbor, Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching is offering a special eight-hour tour twice this summer, one on June 30 and the second and
See DANA WHARF on page 18
6/28 THE BACON BROTHERS
6/29 SKELETON CREW (Grateful DeaD tribute)
7/3 IAN MOORE
7/5 WALTER MICHAELS BAND
7/6 SHINE ON (Pink floyD tribute)
7/12 YYNOT (rush tribute)
7/13 FAST TIMES - the ultimate 80s tribute!
7/14 THE CREAM OF CLAPTON BAND
7/19 THE 5TH DIMENSION
7/20 Y&T 50th Anniversary
7/24 HALEY REINHART
7/25 THE RAT PACK
7/26 KEN GARCIA
7/27 BOB SCHNEIDER
7/28 BOBBY GRAY
8/1 CASH’D OUT
8/2 Beach Boy AL JARDINE
8/3 CUBENSIS
8/4 TAIMANE & Her Trio
8/9 BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY
8/10 THE BUSBOYS
8/11 JAMES KELLY BAND
8/17 PIANO MEN
8/23 SUPER DIAMOND
8/24 SUPER DIAMOND
8/27 TAB BENOIT & ANDERS OSBORNE with sPecial Guest JD SIMO
8/28 TOM RUSH
8/29 THE PETTYBREAKERS
8/30 GLENN HUGHES
8/31 MICK ADAMS
& THE STONES
9/1 MIDGE URE
9/7 SOUTHERN ROCK THROWDOWN
9/12 GRAHAM BONNET
9/13 RICHIE KOTZEN with sPecial Guest Mark Daly
9/14 JOURNEY USA
9/15 BENISE: Fiesta!
9/19 THE MAN IN BLACK
9/22 JANE MONHEIT
9/25 ANA POPOVIC
9/27 DAVE MASON
10/3 ZEBRA
10/4 MIRAGE
10/5 KIMBERLY PERRY (of The Band Perry)
10/6 DAVE HAUSE
10/10 HENRY KAPONO
10/11 HENRY KAPONO
10/16 JIMMIE VAUGHAN
10/18 GARY PUCKETT
& THE UNION GAP
10/20 YOUNG DUBLINERS
10/31 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS / UNTOUCHABLES
11/1 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS / UNTOUCHABLES
11/2 VENICE
11/3 THE WINEHOUSE EXPERIENCE
11/8 COMMON SENSE
11/9 TYRONE WELLS
11/13 JOHN HIATT
11/15 RONSTADT REVIVAL
11/16 JOSHUA RADIN
& RON POPE
11/22 SPACE ODDITY
11/23 RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
11/26 LEONID & FRIENDS
11/27 BEATLES VS STONES
11/29 THE PLATTERS
11/30 LEE ROCKER
of the Stray Cats
12/4 LIVINGSTON TAYLOR
LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III
12/11 DAVID BENOIT
12/12 KY-MANI MARLEY
12/15 THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA
12/29 L.A. GUNS
12/31 THE ENGLISH BEAT 1/24 GENE LOVES JEZEBEL BOW WOW WOW
2/16 INCENDIO w/Ardeshir
Farah (of strunz & farah)
last on Aug. 30.
Blue whales made their debut during the last eight-hour adventure on April 28. Captain Todd Mansur and guests witnessed the blue whale, a male about 60 feet long, about 6 miles off the coast of Laguna Beach. Guests watched the whale feeding for several cycles as well, along with porpoising from Laguna Main Beach to just north of Dana Point Headlands.
“Right now, we are seeing a lot of blue whales and fin whales, which are the second-largest animal mammal on earth, and we see more of them than blue whales,” Lindstrom said. “The eight-hour adventure is more for people who want to take their whale watching to the next level of experience.”
Blue whale season runs until November, as it coincides with the start of gray whale season, which gives these adventure cruises a chance to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Guests also get to observe sightings of fin whales, known as the “Greyhound of the sea,” as they are the fastest whales that can reach a speed of 25 mph; humpback whales; minke whales; several types of dolphins; sea turtles; as well as the mola mola along with various kinds of fish.
Along with the sights, the cruises feature naturalists with a wealth of knowledge to share about the mammals and fish of the ocean.
The June trip will feature Alisa Shulman Jager, an instructor for the Cabrillo Whale Watch Program. Jager has been an onboard naturalist in Southern California, Monterey Bay, Baja California and Alas-
ka; a staff scientist/naturalist in Massachusetts; and a NOAA staff scientist/marine mammal observer from Alaska to California.
Jager, along with naturalist/educator Laura Lopez, will narrate the trip. Jager will discuss the blue whale’s migration on this eight-hour trip and highlight humpback whales and the large numbers of fin whales we have been seeing.
“With the naturalists on board, they will go into deep detail about the wildlife that we see here in Dana Point as it happens,” Lindstrom said. “It’s a huge bonus if you’re really into whale watching and the two-hour cruises just are not enough. This is the perfect thing, and we’re only offering it in June and August.”
Tickets are available now for the upcoming eight-hour Adventure Trips on June 30 and Aug. 30. For both dates, tickets start at $199 and have a limit of 25 passengers to make the experience unique for everyone.
For more information about both cruises and how to purchase tickets, visit danawharf.com
created a culture of fun, art, playfulness and a sense of belonging. That is everything that I could hope for, is to have people build connections in nature.”
Throughout the park, there will be butterfly-themed artwork created by local artists.
“Wherever you go, you’re going to see every shape, size and color of a butterfly in art form as well as real-life butterflies flying around,” Taylor said.
Experts will give talks on conservation, nature and butterfly-related topics, including fermentation of summer dill pickles, ways to create and maintain a butterfly garden, steps to become a better steward of the environment, and the benefits of getting children out into nature. Volunteer docents will also be out at the park to answer questions about butterflies. There will also be pictures and handouts detailing the life cycle of butterflies.
Doug Feremanga, the environmental manager for Transportation Corridor Agencies, will give a keynote speech on butterflies, conservation and global connection.
Finally, guests can take part in a passport activity where they collect stamps throughout the festival. They will turn in the passport books to be entered into hourly drawings for gift baskets.
Gifts within the baskets, which include gift cards and merchandise, were donated by local mer-
chants on Los Rios Street.
Taylor said it has always been important to involve local businesses and organizations in the festival.
“Everyone matters, and we are all a layer to our environment,” she said. “It really gets back to a healthy environment means healthy people. By having a variety to offer, it gives people more resources and services to learn about.”
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3
WHERE: Los Rios Park, 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano
PRICE: Free admission
INFO: goinnative.net
