Welcome to the Dana Point Festival of Whales
Mark your calendars! Come back and see us on March 1st – 3rd, 2024 in the dolphin & whale watching capital of the world (R) for the 53rd annual Dana Point Festival of Whales!
This year’s Festival is dedicated in memory of our founder Don Hansen, (1934-2022).
We look forward to welcoming you back to the beautiful Dana Point Harbor to celebrate the annual return of the California gray whales as they grace our coast during their annual, awe-inspiring migration.
Whale watching excursions operating out of Dana Point will be offered on a special Festival schedule. Keep an eye on the event schedule as new additions will be added continually.
For Harbor information visit DanaPointHarbor.com or call 949.388.3663.
Mark your calendars now! Come back and see us on March 1-3, 2024 in the dolphin & whale watching capital of the world (R) for the 53rd annual Dana Point Festival of Whales!
We look forward to hosting you in beautiful Dana Point Harbor to celebrate the annual return of the California gray whales as they grace our coast during their annual, awe-inspiring migration.
In the meantime, there are several incredible Whale watching excursions operating out of Dana Point all year round! For more information visit DanaPointHarbor.com
2022 Festival of Whales Logo Designed by:
MATT REINHART
The 2022 Festival Foundation Board has named San Clemente resident Matt Rinehart as the logo artist for the 51st annual Festival of Whales.
Rinehart’s design was chosen from among Board favorites of past years’ design contest entries. Rinehart was runner-up in the 2021 Festival of Whales logo design contest.
Rinehart said he’s lived by the ocean his entire life and had the desire to do something for his community, which, in turn, inspired his decision to submit the logo design last year for the yearly South Orange County festival…
Check out last year's 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DANA POINT FESTIVAL OF WHALES Video!
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THE VOTES HAVE BEEN COUNTED
AND THE WINNER IS…
LYNLEA MICHAELS OF IRVINE
From among just over 70 entries and 3,055 votes cast by the public, this year’s beautiful logo by Lynlea Michaels emerged as the official logo for the 50th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales.
“For this design I wanted to capture the energy of the ocean and the thrill of seeing such amazing animals playing and enjoying the California sun,” Lynlea said. “The groovy text and mid-century colors give a nod to Dana Point’s history as a thriving surf community and the city’s eclectic vibes. I hope you love it!”
And love it we did! Lynlea’s design came in at the top of the public voting and the Festival Foundation logo design committee’s vote. The retro feel hearkens back to 1970/1971 when the Dana Point Harbor and its whale watching tradition was just getting started, yet still manages to have a fresh and modern vibe. We can’t wait to offer it for sale on the Festival’s golden anniversary commemorative merchandise.
About the artist:
Lynlea Michaels is a local designer and artist specializing in costume design and fashion illustration. A SoCal native, Lynlea studied fashion and media in New York City before embarking on several years of world travel and exploration. She is now back in Southern California and will be pursuing an advanced degree in Costume Design from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 2021.
Website: LynleaMichaels.com
The logo design contest runners-up were:
2nd place Matt Rinehart
3rd place Gabriella Kohr
4th place Michael O’Connell
Congratulations to all of the finalists and thanks to all who entered.
