2009 BEST OF
DANA POINT
PEOPLE’S CHOICE L A N T E R N
AWA R DS
BEST HOME DÉCOR AND FURNISHINGS
Gold Lantern
THE DOWNSTAIRS STORE
34525 Golden Lantern Street, 949.496.1424, www.downstairsstore.com
“We know most of our customers by name, even regulars from out of state. We love to provide a high level of customer service and it keeps people coming back,” said owner Louise Olson. Head to The Downstairs Store located in the Dana Point harbor! With constantly rotating merchandise no two visits to the store are the same. Give it a visit and see what treasure you can discover. —AS
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BELLA BAZAAR
34091 Pacific Coast Hwy,949.429.6200, www.bellabazaar.com
NOMINEES • Bella Bazaar • Downstairs Store • Ganahl Lumber • Jeddy’s Interiors • McCool Flowers • Ocean Institute Gift Shop • Stats • Timeless Teak • Treasures • Tutta Bella • Upstairs Store • 2008 WINNERS • Gold: Upstairs Store; Silver: McKee & Co.
BEST PLACE TO BUY FLOWERS
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McCOOL FLOWERS
32585 Golden Lantern, Suite J, 949.488.7988, www.mccoolflowers.com
From formal dance corsages for high schoolers to wedding flowers for your special day, McCool Flowers has it all. Stop in to speak with a talented floral designer eager to create a beautiful design you are sure to love. If you’re in a hurry, they also stock gorgeous freshly made arrangements every day. McCool Flowers has become a community favorite and part of many local families’ holiday traditions by hosting an annual Holiday Open House complete with refreshments, carolers and a visit from Santa himself. —AS
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BROWNE’S FLOWERS
31456 Pacific Coast Hwy., 949.661.4748, www.brownesflowers.com
NOMINEES • Beach Flower • Browne’s Flowers • Farmer’s Market • Flower Girl • Iva Bloom • McCool Flowers • Ralph’s • Salt Creek Flowers • 2008 WINNERS • Gold: Browne’s Flowers; Silver: McCool Flowers
Killer Dana’s Eric Simons. Photo by Sara Borman
BEST SURF SHOP
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KILLER DANA
24621 Del Prado, 949.489.8380, www.killerdana.com
Unbeatable selection at unbeatable prices is why Killer Dana has once again nailed down the gold for the second straight year. Not only is the surf apparel sharp and couth, but the gear is solid. Also, if you’re ever looking for a new or used board to dig on for that next sweet barrel this place will get you moving again and hook you up without breaking the bank. Ride on! “This is a local spot where everyone comes,” Kayla Brawner, floor salesperson, said. “I would say the staff that works here handle customers really well, providing excellent customer service, while at the same time trying to make every visit that much better so you’ll come back again and again.” —DZ
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HOBIE
24825 Del Prado, 949.496.2366, www.hobie.com
NOMINEES • Girl in Curl • Hobie • Infinity Surfboards • Jack’s Surfboards • Killer Dana • OC Surf and Sport • 2008 WINNERS • Gold: Killer Dana; Silver: Hobie
BEST SURF BREAK
Gold Lantern Cathy McCool of McCool Flowers. Photo by Sara Borman
SALT CREEK
33333 Pacific Coast Hwy., 949.923.2280, www.ocparks.com/saltcreekbeach
Salt Creek has always been a fave among surfers. The waves here are often fast, steep and challenging offering up thrills for recreational and competitive surfers alike. Long lefts peeling off the point and rights straight out front often
stay hollow giving surfers many chances at getting barreled. —AS DOHENY STATE BEACH
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25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, 949.496.6171, www,ocparks.com
NOMINEES • Doheny • Gravels • Salt Creek • Dana Strands • 2008 WINNERS • Gold: Salt Creek; Silver: Dana Strands
BEST BEACH
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SALT CREEK BEACH
makes this park an ideal setting for a wedding. Heritage Park plays host to a number of city events such as the Shakespeare Festival. —AS
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LANTERN BAY PARK
25111 Dana Point Harbor Drive, 949.248.3530
NOMINEES • Baby Beach • Bluff Top Trail • Badlands Park • Canyon Park • Capistrano Beach • Creekside Park • Dana Point Harbor • Doheny State Park • Dana Point Harbor Island • Palisades Gazebo • Harry Otsubo Community Gardens • Heritage Park • Highland Park • Lantern Bay Park • Ocean Institute • Pines Park • Sampson Overview Gazebo • Salt Creek Beach Park • Sea Canyon • Sea Terrace Park • Shipwreck Park • Sunset Park • Thunderbird Park • Vista Park at Strand • 2008 WINNERS • Gold: Pines Park; Silver: Strands Park
33333 Pacific Coast Hwy., 949.923.2280, www.ocparks.com/saltcreekbeach
With ample parking, a snack bar, showers and restrooms this beautiful stretch of sand is a favorite among both locals and tourists. The beach sits below the Ritz-Carlton and can be accessed easily via a paved path from the parking lot on Ritz-Carlton Drive. Though the walk down is easy, some may find the uphill return trip a bit strenuous. Most visitors agree that the walk back up to the parking lot is worth it—and a good workout for the “glutes” too. —AS
With top-notch dining, boutique shops, fishing trips, legendary bars, the Catalina ferry and much more, Dana Point Harbor is a must-stop for all visitors to town. —NG
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DANA STRAND BEACH
NOMINEES • Baby Beach • Capistrano Beach • Doheny • Monarch Beach • Salt Creek • Dana Strands • 2008 WINNERS • Gold: Salt Creek; Silver: Dana Strand
BEST PARK
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HERITAGE PARK
25111 Dana Point Harbor Drive, 949.248.3530
One of the most picturesque parks in Dana Point, Heritage Park offers a great view overlooking the harbor and the large grassy area
2009 Best of Dana Point | Page 9 | www.danapointtimes.com
BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS
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DANA POINT HARBOR
949.923.2255, danapointharbor.com
OCEAN INSTITUTE
24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., 949.496.2274, ocean-institute.org
NOMINEES • Beach House • Bella Napoli • Blaz’n Blenders • Blue Lantern Gazebo • Brio Tuscany Grille • Cannons • Capt. Dave’s Dolphin Safari • Cassanova Ristorante • Chart House • Coffee Importers • Dana Point Harbor • Dana Point Yacht Club • Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching • Doheny State Beach • Gemmell’s • Harbor Grill • Harpoon Henry’s • Hennessey’s Tavern • Heritage Park • Infinity Surfboards • Jon’s Fish Market • Killer Dana • Kings Club Barbershop • Laguna Cliffs Marriott • Lantern Bay Park • Luciana’s • Mahe’ • Monarch Bay Club • Ocean Institute • Proud Mary’s • R.J.’s Cafe • Renaissance • Ritz Carlton • Salt Creek Beach • Scoop Deck • Smokey’s House of BBQ • St. Regis Monarch Bay Resort • Strand Beach • Taco Surf • The Ocean Institute • Turk’s • Vista Park at Headlands • Wind & Sea • 2008 WINNERS • Gold: Dana Point Harbor; Silver: Chart House