Dana Point, CA was named for Richard Henry Dana, the son of a wealthy family on the East Coast. Eschewing his family’s money and lifestyle, he instead chose to work as a greenhorn on a boat that made its way from the East Coast to what is now California. He wrote a book based on his experiences called Two Years before the Mast.

Dana Point, California has one of the few natural coves along the Orange County coast. Argentinean pirate Hipolito Bouchard used the harbor to dock his boats while he and his men pillaged the area. Today, Dana Point moors over 2,500 boats.