1769Infrastructure
The arrival of European settlers in the area began with the Portolá expedition (1769–1770).
1776Culture
Starting in 1776, people from the village of Ubange, located near Dana Point, were brought to Mission San Juan Capistrano for conversion to Christianity and to be exploited as l...
1778History
By 1778, dissatisfaction with the missions led to the formation of a revolt by tribal leader Cinquanto that was preemptively stopped by the Spanish.
1818History
In 1818, Argentine sailor Hippolyte de Bouchard anchored there while conducting his raid on the mission.
1835History
Richard Henry Dana then visited the area in 1835 while serving aboard the sailing brig Pilgrim on her voyage along the California coastline.
1923History
=== American era ===
In 1923, Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler and General M.
1926History
In 1926, Woodruff, Chandler, and Sherman created the Dana Point Syndicate.
1928Military
=== Capistrano Beach ===
In 1928, a corporate entity of the American industrial giant Edward Doheny, who had built his fortune in oil production in Southern California and Mexi...
1930Infrastructure
After a celebratory groundbreaking in 1930, a three-story foundation was poured and a 135-foot (41 m) shaft was dug for an elevator to transport hotel guests to and from the beach.
1931Economy
In 1931, as a memorial to Ned, Petroleum Securities Company, Doheny's family-owned business, made a gift of 41.4 acres (168,000 m2) to the State of California, which is now Dohe...
1935Military
The unimproved Capistrano Beach properties passed back to Edward Doheny, and, upon his death in 1935, to his wife and heirs.
1939Infrastructure
Although Woodruff continuously sought financial support through the years, this project was abandoned in 1939.
1944Culture
By 1944, all of the properties had been sold to private parties.
1954Architecture
Hobie Alter opened the world's first retail surf shop in Dana Point in 1954.
1960Government
== Demographics ==
Dana Point first appeared as an unincorporated community in the 1960 U.S.
1966Architecture
The Killer Dana wave was destroyed when the Dana Point Harbor was built in 1966.
1971Culture
Dana Point is home to the longest running Festival of Whales in the World that started in 1971.
1972Culture
== Arts and culture ==
Dana Point has held a Festival of Whales since 1972.
1980Government
The community was redesignated a census designated place in the 1980 United States census and after incorporation, as a city in the 1990 U.S.
1988Education
The cross country program at Dana Hills High School won California state titles in 1988, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
1990History
=== Marine life ===
One of a few known specimens of the megamouth shark was caught off Dana Point in 1990.
1997History
In 1997, the surf group The Chantays recorded an instrumental track named "Killer Dana".
2003Government
NOTE: The totals listed for the 2003 governor's special election are the aggregate totals for all Republican candidates, all Democratic candidates, and all Independent candidates.
2006Architecture
After extensive infrastructure construction, lots were offered for sale in the fall of 2006.
2007History
Retrieved February 13, 2007.
2008History
Dana Point has hosted the Dana Point Concours d'Elegance since 2008.
2019Government
Dana Point was trademarked as the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World® in 2019 and Dana Point was named a Whale Heritage Site in 2021.
2020History
The Pilgrim was used as a classroom by the Ocean Institute until it sank in 2020.
2022Economy
In October 2022, the California Coastal Commission approved the Doheny Desalination Plant at Doheny State Beach capable of producing 5 to 15 million gallons of fresh water per day.
2023History
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $127,246, and the per capita income was $78,103.