2026-Jan: Dana Point Sea Caves-Low Tide at sunset/Happy NY/Level 1+/2/Slow Pace

Happy New Year Special! (Open window between rains)

MEETING TIME: 3:30 PM

MEET at THE SIGN "OCEAN INSTITUTE" BY THE RESTROOM in the parking lot, not near the building Ocean Institute. We then will walk to the covered stairs between the tide pools and Ocean Institute building together.

If you haven't been to this area, please read more info from "Ocean Institute's website (http://www.ocean-institute.org/programs/directions.html)" and map out your direction before hand besides using your GPS.

General Rating/Difficulty: Level 1+/2 (Slow Pace) for rocky trail. Click RATING TABLE to learn more about hike levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating

SUNSET 4:55 PM. Low tide is at 2:12 PM (-1.6). This fun short hike is best during Winter months when we have low tide at sunset time.
On 2014 New Year Day https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/19322542/321438782/, the group had gone passed the main cave (low tide -1.7). We hope to make it this time as well. After the first cave, it is a wondrous place to meditate with its surf reverberations and to watch the sunset. Whereas the main cave is big and easy to access, the next cave is harder to reach to if it's higher tide. The end of the route will lead us to Strand Beach.

Photos from past events:
Jan 2025
Jan 2024
Feb 2023
Jan 2022
Dec 2020: https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/31197805/
Jan 2020 https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/30669564/488147211/
New Year 2017 photos (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/27518068/),
Xmas 2015 photos (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/26633434/445504378/); December 2014 photos (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/25810249/)
Feb 2014 photos (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/20060652/432310347/)
New Year Day 2014 photos (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/19322542/321438782/)
Feb 10, 2013 photos (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/13091842/203968452/)
Feb 9, 2013 photos (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/13064152/203911992/)

Hikers are welcome who wish to go only up to the main cave. A straight shot to the main cave requires little more than a 20-minute walk and a tiny bit of scampering, after which we will break for tide pooling, hidden cave exploring, and meditating, but with the main cave as home base.

Best for exploring the nearby tide pools are hiking boots with ankle protection that you will get wet. Bring a windbreaker and flashlight for the hike back-- just to be safe.

Safety note: At low tide, rocks are slick as snot. Don't step on top of them; step between them (hence the need for ankle protection). And look to see whom you're stepping on -- sand and eel grass are OK, anemones and live shells are not so OK, we hurt them. Collect only pictures.

REMINDER:

By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings
>>>YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.
>>> YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY.
***Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks, mountain lions, coyotes, snake bites or wildlife. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike***