This is the southern California of every American's imagination. The one with surfboards and Beach Boys' songs. With kids on bikes and adults firing up the barbecue. With walking to the beach to spend a day in the sun. With the unhurried attitude and tropical drinks. Dana Point is all of this and more. As the birthplace of the skateboard, Dana Point can take credit for some of the traits associated with the region. It is a beach community with rugged coastal bluffs, rolling hills, the Pacific Ocean and mild temperatures that vary between 45 and 70 degrees.

There are approximately 35,745 residents here, with a median age of 40. The average household income is just over $65,178 and median home value of about $900,000. It lies within the border of Orange County, which has invested money and manpower in developing amenities and infrastructure for Dana Point.

Orange County is a convenient drive to both Los Angeles and San Diego. Its modern incarnation began as farm country, full of orange groves and grape vineyards. In the 1940's and 1950's, housing started to spring up as people moved out of Los Angeles, seeking more affordable housing and a quieter way of life. In the early days, folks commuted into L.A. for work. As more and more dissatisfied Angelians moved to this little bedroom community, Orange County grew to become its own metropolitan center, with services springing up to accommodate the increasing population.

An interesting bit of the county's history centers on the time of this initial development into a modern suburb. It was during this time that the United States was immersed in World War II. Cars traveling the Pacific Coast Highway were not allowed to use their headlights, as government officials had decided this would confuse any potential planes or submarines who might try to utilize the cover of darkness to bomb the west coast. Obviously, this wasn't a particularly safe precaution, especially since the still largely rural Orange County residents were commuting to and from work. Rest assured that this hasn't been a law in quite some time, and that the drive along the Pacific Coast Highway is a gorgeous route to travel.

Within Orange County, Dana Point residents enjoy a relaxed lifestyle focused on community, family, and the outdoors. With its mild climate, you will be able to swim, boat, jog, or simply watch the sun set over the ocean all year round. There are numerous festivals to participate in, including the Festival of Whales, the November Turkey Trot, and Fourth of July fireworks. To commemorate a special event, you could take a charter cruise around Dana Point Harbor, or even take the ferry to Catalina Island for a romantic getaway.

As you can imagine, this is the kind of place where visitors from around the world come to get a little taste of the southern California lifestyle. But when you live in Paradise, everyday is a vacation opportunity. Because of this, it can be a fun experience to "play tourist" in your own town. You could start the day with a round at the Monarch Beach Golf links, then move on to a few hours of sport fishing off of Dana Wharf. Rejuvenate at one of the many elegant and relaxing spas, catch a sunset on Doheny State Beach, and wrap it all up with a candlelit dinner at a coastal restaurant.

Dana Point is a vibrant yet relaxed community. Residents may tell you that living close to the ocean fosters a certain state of calmness not evident in other areas. While this may not be scientifically proven, there is enough anecdotal evidence in the region to support this idea.

If you're thinking of moving to Dana Point, California, our relocation packet is yours for the asking.