This was a great stop for us with our husky while driving between Carlsbad and LA. We came in the late afternoon and the large free parking lot was mostly empty except a few folks having car picnics and waiting to watch the sunset. There are several stairways down to the beach, but dogs are prohibited from going down. There is some grass but just around the edges of the parking lot, not like a big grassy field. There is also a memorial at one end and some pull up bars at another. Very peaceful place to stretch our legs and enjoy a beautiful view. read more

Strand Vista Park - Path and view - Parks Near Me - Dana Point, California

See all

Best place to park and watch the sunset! Best place to get in a morning walk! Best place to meet friends for a hike and then a coffee or breakfast in Dana Point! Best place for sandcastles and playing in the waves! Stairs down to the beach and then a steep climb back up but totally worth it! Clean restrooms at the top and bottom! And if you can't handle all the stairs, there is a golf cart service to get you down into the Strands neighborhood to make the climb much more manageable! I'm here almost daily hiking through and enjoying the ocean breezes - and often see dolphins while beach walking! read more

Gorgeous views of the ocean from the parking lot (which is free to park). Access to the beach (lots of stairs but just take it slow). The stairs are very well maintained and don't have to worry about them being slippery or sandy. read more

As of Nov 5 2025 there is no more parking in the park or street. You will be fined if you are sleeping in your vehicle and no parking from 11pm to 7 am. Word has got out about this gem and too many junkers are so obvious, are lining the streets to sleep and day living in the parking lot of this quiet upper class neighborhood beach community. It was a great place to enjoy but some people spoiled it for all by not respecting the neighborhood. read more

Ocean views with free parking... what's not to love? Nice to park here and stroll down to the sand -- just a few minutes' walk away. Strands Beach is less crowded than Salt Creek Beach or Dana Point Harbor or even San Clemente, for that matter. It's almost like a little hidden gem that's sometimes forgotten about -- I know I regularly overlook it when thinking about where I'd like to watch the sunset. There are restrooms at the north end of the parking lot, which is very convenient. 2023: 58/100 read more

This is our favorite beach in Orange County, with free parking and lots of spaces, overlooking beautiful multi-million dollar homes that's next to the ocean, just enough to look & dream about, without having to pay property tax or house cleaning fees. read more

Plenty of safe close parking and a laid back atmosphere make this a great park to visit on its own or when checking out Dana Strands Beach or walking over to the Dana Point Preserve. read more

What a hidden find! This is a great spot to watch the sunset. There is great free parking and lots of green patches to sit alongside and look out over the ocean. Picture perfect views. Bathrooms available. read more

Strand Vista Park - Parks Near Me - Dana Point, California

See all

I wanted to hate this park because at first it felt like some breadcrumbs thrown to the masses from the ostentatious and frankly ugly--most of them, at least--mansions recently built in the gated community between Selva Road and the beach, but the more time I spent here, the more I realized that the selfsame owners of those mansions are probably very annoyed that we riffraff have more or less complete access to the beach and even get to traipse down stairs right through the middle of their neighborhood to get to the beach. We don't even have to pay for parking, which is a rarity for beach parking in Orange County. You probably come here just to park and go to the beach, but if you forget your bathing suit or flip-flops or just don't want to get sand in your car or don't have much time, there are little trails up near the park that are good for wasting a half-hour or so, and you can catch some beautiful ocean views without going down a single step. The park is pretty well hidden, and it wasn't too crowded on the beautiful weekday we went. It's also very clean, and there is a constant trickle of people walking along the path, so it feels very safe. It really was nice to come across this spectacular place almost by accident. read more

See all

Breathtaking views. Free parking. What more can you ask for. Perfect for sunset watching. Stairs down to the beach. Loved it. read more

Strand Vista Park - Breathtaking views! - Parks Near Me - Dana Point, California

Such a beautiful and quiet beach. It was a spontaneous stop on the Pacific Coast Highway on my way to San Diego. I was surprised how secluded it was. Maybe it gets packed during the weekend, but I was there in the middle of a Thursday, and there were only about 5 people. There's a long paved stairway down to the water, which is nice if you want exercise. However, you can bypass the by taking an elevator down to the boardwalk. There's still a ramp you need to go down to get to the beach. It really makes you work to see it, but it's worth it! I wish I were loaded and could live here, I'd come here every day and walk the boardwalk, and admire the cliffs. The weather's perfect, scenery's beautiful, and how can you go wrong with a beach in town that shares my name. read more

I have never been to this location after being here for 12 years. I was impressed by this location. Free parking in the lot which is decent size. Beautiful view uptop and you can also take the stairs down to the beach. You do have to lug all your stuff down so pack light. there is an elevator but I heard it's not always working so you don't want to rely on that. There are lifeguards down on the beach and you can walk over to Salt Creek Beach as well. No weeds on the beach so that's always a plus. I would totally go back! SYOY! read more

Strand Vista Park - Sidewalk up top - Parks Near Me - Dana Point, California

See all

This is a grassy plot of area within the Strand Beach Parking lot overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There is a Veterans Memorial park to honor war veterans. It's nice to remember them. There are places to sit with a chair and look at ocean and catch cool breezes. There is paved area where you can walk and view ocean and beautiful sunsets. At end of parking lot you can descend the staircases to Strand beach. read more

We came to visit the OC for the day, planned on visiting the beach, find a spot to have dinner and catch the sunset. 2 out of 3 isn't bad, we found this spot in Dana Point with plenty of free parking, you have to walk down a multitude of steps to get from the parking to the beach, google says its 174 steps but I don't think its that many, I didn't count them, its a little workout but not too too bad, unless you have packed heavy, we tried going finding a place in Laguna Beach, but it was just too hard to find parking. read more

Well worth the effort to get here! Large parking lot with free parking at the time of this writing. The used to have a lift for people to ride up and down instead of using the stairs. However, it appears to be out of order. The times we have been there has been no lifeguard on duty, although there are huts along the beach. (Perhaps during the summer they are there). Even if you don't want to be on the beach itself, the view from the top is spectacular. You can view from your car or sit outside at one of the small tables. (Probably sits 4 each). No pets permitted on the beach itself, but plenty of people walking their dogs through the park. read more

By far one of the best beaches in Southern California. If you are visiting or even if you live locally you have to come to Strands. The walk down to the beach is steep but it is well worth your time. There is a elevator that goes down to the beach on the right side of the parking lot. You can choose between stairs or a pathway down with some stairs as well. This beach is definitely where a lot of locals hang out. This is my go to beach during the summer. The parking at strands is free and there is usually plenty of spaces available. It's a huge parking lot. Don't fight for parking at another beach or pay for parking at another beach. read more

Strand Vista Park - Gorgeous view!! - Parks Near Me - Dana Point, California

Great view from the top, especially in the sunset time, you can walk to the beach from there. I had a great experience, definitely I will go back there. read more

See all