The steps at Strand Beach are temporarily closed. I’ve been walking on this beach for the past six years, knowing this was coming. But reality sank in when I found the steps blocked off. This very large construction project at Dana Point has been underway for many years; originally locked up in a city battle by a few lone souls trying to find a balance between progress and history. The beachfront homes in The Strand at the Dana Point Headlands are priced from $20 million to $24 million for homes about 6,100 square feet on next to what will be a future private beach club. Some homes include an infinity-edge pool with underwater sound systems and stools next to a swim-up bar that connects to an outdoor kitchen. They have a nice website, don’t you think? Way in the background you can see a surfer heading down the hill via the old (soon to be changed) dirt path.
I guess the bigger question is: Are you shovel ready? Having some projects ready to go is a good thing to do while we are being diverted from our previous routes.
Construction at The Strand, Dana Point CA, Photo by Jain Lemos
Thanks for posting this photo. Was searching for 70’s surf art which ultimately got me to thinking about Dana Strand. I lived there in the trailer court/beach club in the 1970’s & early 80’s. Officially The Dana Strand Beach and Tennis Club. I learned to surf there, cracked my ribs on the reef near the center north of the subdivision, and caught lots of fish from the headland rocks. Alas, the longterm lease to the land ended in the late 80’s or early 90’s, and all 90 trailer/homes (half trailer & half permanent immobile structure) had to be removed. There was also a clubhouse next to a large pool, with an outside bar & grill & an indoor dining/dancing room.Separately there was an office to manage the units, a groundskeeping building and two tennis courts on the top tier, and at the bottom of the beach, a parking area and mens & womens shower & bath facilities with lockers. There was a guard gate at the entrance and a locked gate at the beach,to keep all of the riff raff out. Am glad to see that others share my admiration for the area. Sorry the change is bumming you out, but ultimately you will have your beach access back, and just think now you will be beach-walking and sharing the lifestyle of the hoi poloi. Thanks again.
Hi Andy, thanks for your comment and for finding this post! The old beach club was humming in those days, for sure. One of my dearest friends used to play on that beach as a girl growing up in the 70s and she often went to the club events with family and friends. She just loved Strand Beach in those days and described many of the same buildings and areas you have. I wish we had some photos of the settings from its heyday! Please let me know if you come across any.
Hi Jain,
I found your site while searching for old pics of the Dana Strand. Used to go down there in early 80’s; lking for photos of area pre-Headlands development to see it as it was then. Could you direct me to some historical photos; overhead images of the area? Thank you. You have a great website!