getting to the festival
Dana Point sets the perfect stage for the annual Festival of Whales, with harbor views, whale watching excursions, live entertainment and family-friendly fun throughout the weekend. Whether you're coming for the parade, concerts, marine
education or waterfront festivities, getting here is easy and convenient.
free & convenient parking
Dana Point Harbor Parking Structure
Parking is a breeze at the new Dana Point Harbor Parking Structure, located in the
heart of the festival action. With hundreds of spaces available, it’s the most central
and stress-free place to park.
- Up to four hours of free parking — fees apply after four hours.
- Just steps from trolley and shuttle stops.
Additional Parking Options
- Free parking is available at Dana Hills High School (festival Trolley service
provided). - Many Harbor lots offer free parking with a four-hour maximum.
- Doheny State Beach offers hourly and day-use parking passes at automated
kiosks.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to review road closures and traffic impacts of the Magical Migration Parade scheduled for Saturday, March 7. Click on the map to the left to expand/print the Trolley route and event locations.
dana point trolley service
The special Festival of Whales trolley route will service most areas of Dana Point Harbor as well as select downtown stops.
Trolley Hours:
- Friday, March 6: 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM
(Stops A, B, C, C1 & G only) - Saturday, March 7: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Due to the Parade, the Trolley will only stop at stops A, B, C, C1 & G from 7am - Noon. Trolley stops D, E & F resume service at Noon. - Sunday, March 8: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
E-BIKE PARKING
The Clean & Green way to travel to the Festival
A FREE e-bike corral will be available for the public at the location below courtesy of Doheny Bike.
Riders must supply their own lock.
Saturday, March 7 & Sunday, March 8
11 AM - 4 PM at Baby Beach
driving directions to dana point harbor & festival events
Click here for driving directions
- From the Los Angeles area, take the Interstate 5 Fwy South and exit PCH/Beach Cities (Pacific Coast Highway).
- From the San Diego area, take the Interstate 5 Fwy North, exit PCH/Beach Cities (Pacific Coast Highway) off ramp.
Both these exits will take you directly into Dana Point.
Drive under the Dana Point Bridge and make a left at the 2nd signal, Dana Point Harbor Drive. Doheny State Beach will be on your immediate left at the first signal, Park Lantern. Just a few more short blocks and you’ll arrive at the Harbor entrance at Golden Lantern & Dana Point Harbor Drive.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - PARADE ROAD CLOSURES
Saturday, March 7
To safely accommodate the Magical Migration Parade, temporary road closures will
be in place on Saturday morning.
- Eastbound Dana Point Harbor Drive closed 7 AM – NOON (West Basin to Golden Lantern)
- Island Way & Dana Drive access restricted starting 9 AM
- Access from Casitas Way & Island Way will be restricted to a left turn only onto Dana Point Harbor Drive beginning at 7 AM.
- Trolley stops D, E & F resume service at NOON
- Westbound Harbor Drive will remain open
We encourage guests to plan ahead, arrive early and take advantage of the Harbor Parking Structure and trolley service to make getting around easy and stress-free.