Doheny Beach
4.3(3)beach
beginner
**Doheny State Beach** offers Orange County's second-easiest learning wave after San O' Dogpatch, rated 4/10 overall but 6/10 for beginners.
Dawn patrol surfing in Dana Point
Dana Point, California
Sunrise and first light times for planning your dawn patrol session.
First light in Dana Point means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 4 spots are worth the 5am alarm.
Sunrise
6:43 AMFirst Light: 6:13 AM
Day length: 12h 26m
+2 min vs yesterday
Sunrise
6:43 AM
First light: 6:13 AM
Sunset
7:09 PM
Last light: 7:39 PM
Data from Doheny Beach · Updated daily
7-Day Sun Schedule
| Day | Sunrise | Sunset | Day Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today(Today) | 6:43 AM | 7:09 PM | 12h 26m |
| Tomorrow | 6:42 AM | 7:10 PM | 12h 28m |
| Wed, Apr 1 | 6:40 AM | 7:11 PM | 12h 30m |
| Thu, Apr 2 | 6:39 AM | 7:12 PM | 12h 32m |
| Fri, Apr 3 | 6:38 AM | 7:12 PM | 12h 35m |
Today(Today)
Sunrise
6:43 AM
Sunset
7:09 PM
Day Length
12h 26m
Tomorrow
Sunrise
6:42 AM
Sunset
7:10 PM
Day Length
12h 28m
Wed, Apr 1
Sunrise
6:40 AM
Sunset
7:11 PM
Day Length
12h 30m
Thu, Apr 2
Sunrise
6:39 AM
Sunset
7:12 PM
Day Length
12h 32m
Fri, Apr 3
Sunrise
6:38 AM
Sunset
7:12 PM
Day Length
12h 35m
Best dawn patrol spots in Dana Point
Featured Beaches
4 spots
Doheny Beach
Beginner friendlyDoheny State Beach offers Orange County's second-easiest learning wave after San O' Dogpatch, rated 4/10 overall but 6/10 for beginners.
Doheny State Beach
Beginner friendlyDoheny State Beach offers Orange County's second-easiest learning wave after San O' Dogpatch, rated 4/10 overall but 6/10 for beginners.
Salt Creek
Beginner friendlySalt Creek delivers 8/10 quality across three distinct sections. The Point produces extremely rippable left pointbreaks when sandbars align; Middles offers wedgy A-frames year-round; Gravels reef breaks with board-breaking power.
Strands
Beginner friendlyStrands is a beach break in Dana Point, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.
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Featured Beaches(4)
Dawn patrol access guide for Dana Point
Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.
Doheny State Beach
4.0(13)beach
beginner
**Doheny State Beach** offers Orange County's second-easiest learning wave after San O' Dogpatch, rated 4/10 overall but 6/10 for beginners.
Salt Creek
4.1(17)beach
beginner-intermediate
**Salt Creek** delivers 8/10 quality across three distinct sections. The Point produces extremely rippable left pointbreaks when sandbars align; Middles offers wedgy A-frames year-round; Gravels reef breaks with board-breaking power.
Strands
3.8(18)beach
beginner-intermediate
Strands is a beach break in Dana Point, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.
Dawn patrol tips
- Glassy morning conditions before onshore winds
- Less crowded lineups at sunrise
- East-facing beaches for sunrise views
- Spots with easy parking for early arrivals
Surf Guides for Dana Point
Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
About surfing in Dana Point
- Dawn patrol in Dana Point typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.
- Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.
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