Wonderful place post hiking. It's casual and has great quality food and service!…read more Our waitress was so kind! I wish I got her name for this post. Thanks for taking care of us! And hats off to the chef.

French onion soup was a joke. Piece of bread with a dab of cheese on it. Really? Don't they know…read morewhat it should be like? Tasty enough but a fraction of the cheese. They also seemed to use a Swiss, which didn't seem to be the appropriate cheese. Had the salmon. Tasty. Butter on top of the skin? What's the point? On mashed potatoes then with roasted potatoes? Why two potatoes? Vegetables didn't exist. Friend ordered a salad to start. Specifically selected a dressing. Salad didn't come. Well at the soup came, had to check on it. Overall, mediocre

Great view of the ocean and passing trains. Relaxed vibe. The food is interesting and great. I like…read morethe Spicy tuna Bites. The drinks are excellent. The 1945 Mai Tai is better than the ones I have had in Hawaii. Joey the bartender is great. It gets very busy, so it's best to go early for a relaxed time.

Great bar with beachside views. It's super casual with good vibes. The drinks are fantastic and the…read morequesadilla was big enough for us to share for date night. Service was good but not super attentive. Personally, that's how I like it. They have TVs and billiards. I would definitely recommend.

I love Jimmy's tavern. It can be difficult to find a place that the kids will also enjoy and this…read moreis it. Everything from the salads, to the sandwiches, and the cocktails is perfection. Service has always been top notch.

I came here once before for an event. This time we came to dine. We were seated in their nice…read morepatio area. Our waitress did a good job even though they seemed to be understaffed. There was a huge party behind us so it took an awhile. Luckily it gives you a chance to just enjoy the atmosphere. I remember enjoying their kalifornia salad so I ordered that with salmon. While it's a little on the pricer side, it was delicious! It could have used a few more autumn squash but it's a great salad! I subbed corn for almonds though. Friends got the fish tacos with yummy sweet potato fries and poki bowl. We enjoyed our dining experience. We did make reservations as well since they did have a line, Definitely worth a visit! SYOY!

We came down to Dana Point for our annual tattoo trip and always try to stay somewhere new. We…read morespecifically look for places with ambiance and character rather than chain hotels like Marriott or Hilton. Some boutique hotels are hits, others... not so much. This one absolutely surprised us in the best way. El Caminante Bar & Bungalows is right across the street from the beach and instantly stands out. The interior design is exquisite - thoughtful, warm, and stylish without feeling pretentious. Our room had half doors on both sides that open up so you can enjoy the ocean view and fresh air, which was such a unique and relaxing touch. There's also an in-room record player that even connects to your phone via Bluetooth (such a fun detail). The bed was extremely comfortable, the shower had piping hot water with great pressure, and the Le Labo shower products were a luxe bonus. The on-site bar and food were super convenient, the staff was genuinely kind, and the location is perfect, right in the heart of Dana Point and a short drive to San Clemente. We also loved lounging on the outdoor daybeds outside our room and hanging out on the patio with the chimineas at night. The rooms are on the smaller side (mainly because of the massive king bed), but it honestly didn't feel unbearably cramped. There's plenty of storage with space under the bed for luggage, drawers built into the bed frame, and wall-mounted hangers, which made everything work well. As for the cons: it is close to the train tracks, so it can get a bit noisy, but earplugs are provided and we personally slept just fine without them. There's no fan, so the room can get a little warm, we just kept the windows open. Unfortunately, during our stay the internet wasn't cooperating, so we couldn't screen-cast to the TV, which made it pretty useless, but that was a minor inconvenience overall. We also really loved that this is a small, family-owned property. We will 100% be back. This is officially our new favorite spot in Dana Point--full of charm, comfortably close to the ocean, and reasonably priced without sacrificing style or comfort.

I am so sad you closed! I was just trying to rebook and find you guys and found an article that in…read moreJanuary you closed. The community really missed out as this was a super awesome experience that made me feel like I wasn't in Southern California anymore. Deeply saddened but thank you for the original experience. I just wish I got to stay in that upstairs suite, which is what I was going to book. Best of luck and I hope to see the hotel open soon.

The decor is quirky, different and interesting; always something to catch your eye. Staff,…read moremanagement and bartenders are all very kind. I came here years ago to try the clam chowder, followed by the fish and chips. It's always so delicious I've never tried anything else! I will definitely keep coming back. Keep up the excellent work!

Turk's never disappoints!…read more I don't get down to Dana Point often, but when I do Turk's is a must. The food, the drink, the service, and the ambience are always great! We had a fun and great meal. Shout out to our server, Cheri. She delivered our meal perfectly and helped make it fun. Pro tip: Get the fried Zucchini! It's generously portioned and awesome. I washed my meal down with a couple of Maker's rocks and a Coors Light as one does. Long live Turk's. Cheers!

When I was telling a friend about this place, I pulled up my handy dandy Yelp and was surprised…read morethat I hadn't written a review about this place yet! We spent a few nights in Dana Point and was really close to this restaurant. We got it to go and ate it back at our hotel, but wow, the pizza was memorable for sure. We got the vampire and the original and they both were great choices. Definitely a great spot for pizza in Dana point!

As someone who knows what actual New Haven pizza should be (think Sally's Apizza), Apizza Doho…read moremisses the mark completely. The dough was nothing like the authentic thin-crust style; instead, it was thick, burnt, and strangely covered in butter. The Margherita sauce was essentially tomato sauce and lacked balance. The Clam Pizza was the biggest disappointment--it was buried under so much cheese and garlic that you couldn't even taste the clams. It was so greasy that oil was running down our hands, tasting more like a heavy, cheesy garlic bread with overpowering chunks of raw garlic than a refined white clam pie. To round it out, the zucchini chips were flavorless and mostly just fried breading. The only silver lining was the calamari, the cherry peppers were a nice touch and it genuinely reminded me of Rhode Island-style calamari. That said, I definitely won't be back for the pizza and do not recommend this place if you're looking for New Haven style pizza

Walking into Proud Mary's Restaurant in Dana Point felt really relaxing and exciting at the same…read moretime when I visited with someone. The place has a lively atmosphere that teenagers would enjoy a lot, and I saw so many teenagers there that day. They were taking pictures by the water, laughing together, and fitting into the environment so naturally that it made the whole restaurant feel even more vibrant. The marina view looked almost like a postcard, and teenagers especially seemed to love taking photos with the boats in the background, which made the place feel even more fun and creative. It was my first time visiting Proud Mary's, and I did not realize how much there was to enjoy until I walked around and took in the whole scene. I really appreciated how easy it was to have a good time there without feeling rushed. The staff kept everything moving smoothly, and the upbeat energy made the experience feel even better than I expected. I never doubted that the visit would turn out the way I hoped it would, and it honestly ended up being one of the most refreshing places I have been to in a long time. I have only visited Proud Mary's one time in my life before making this review, but it left a strong impression on me. The combination of the waterfront view, the friendly atmosphere, and the playful energy from all the teenagers around made it feel like a place that understands how to make people feel comfortable and inspired. I would highly recommend that teenagers go there because it gives them a space to relax, take pictures, enjoy the scenery, and feel creative.

Food was not good. We originally went there for brunch but they still serving at 12, so we were…read morestuck with the lunch menu. The clam chowder was horrible. Tasted like bad flour gravy with little to no potatoes or clams. Don't order this. My Cesar salad came with chicken, anchovies, croutons, and like 4 cherry tomatoes. The anchovies were whole and there were 3. I like that they asked if I wanted them (I did) but I wish they were chopped up instead of whole. The cheese on the salad was hard like it had been sitting out and the chicken seemed like it was some cheap breast defrosted. They could have grilled the chicken, had fresh black pepper to make it a lot better. The French fries on my son's plate were honestly sad looking. Cold and soggy. My husband ordered fish tacos and chili and admitted he's had better meals in his life. We drove pretty far to try this place and honestly wish we went next door for better food. Service was ok, our soups came out before we got our drinks, which I didn't like. The food is super overpriced for the quality. The best part was the view.... Hence the second star. I won't go back.

Hi Foodies, have I got a treat for all of you. Doheny State Beach with a pass or pay for parking…read moreis cheap and park right by the Cafe. Adian and all the people are great. Adian is the one who cooks up these delicious soups and meats for tacos and sandwiches. The patio is facing the ocean and lots of lounge chairs and tables with umbrellas for shade. The food is the best in town, take my word! Delicious burgers, tacos, poke and salads and Mexican corn fabulous. Tomato soup and potato soup deserve an award, best I've ever tasted. The brisket is beyond amazing, tasty and so tender you can cut it with Your tongue! Poke is big and full of goodies with crab and tuna. Shakes are cool and refreshing while sitting in the sun. Being there is like being on vacation..... but we live here! Enjoy and say Lenore sent you.

What an unexpected surprise, this beach front gem gave us at sunset tonight…read more The grilled chicken and pesto sandwich was grilled to perfection, tender and flavorful! Service was window service but with humor, youthful exuberance, and a smile! They had HAPPY HOUR- yet another unexpected surprise with specials! All local vibe!!!! It was a cool and relaxed sunset last mini date w my hubby man!

Justin is amazzzing and he knows the menu and what to recommend! Sit at the bar and enjoy the hang…read more 20% is included so you don't have to tip extra but he soooo deserves it. A+ experience tonight 12/7/25

Uniqueness: Nothing too crazy, standard hotel dining…read more Wait Time: *** (Quick seating, but can get busy during peak hours) Food Quality: *** (Decent but not outstanding) Service: *** (Friendly but a bit slow) Setting: *** (Standard hotel ambiance) Cost: *** (A bit pricey for the quality) This hotel restaurant is fine, but there's nothing crazy special about it. The food is decent, but not worth the higher price tag. Service was friendly, but a bit slow at times. The atmosphere is just what you'd expect from a hotel restaurant--nothing unique or memorable. If you're staying at the hotel, it's a convenient option, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here.

Olamendi's in Dana Point is one of those places that feels like a local secret once you're sitting…read moredown with a plate of great food in front of you. I had the Pollo Tomatillo, which was absolutely delicious - tender, flavorful, and nicely balanced for such a simple recipe. My friend ordered the 2-taco combo plate, and it did not disappoint. Everything tasted fresh and well prepared. The salsa had a great flavor with a nice little kick at the end that sneaks up on you in the best way. The location is a bit wonky and the parking lot is tight, but once you're there, it's worth it. The patio is surprisingly comfortable, and inside is the most eclectic collection of tchotchkes you've ever seen - it's like dining inside a little museum or a shop on Calle 16 de Septiembre in Cabo. Even if you eat on the patio, be sure to go in and take a look around. Service was friendly and attentive, and our meals were complemented perfectly with ranch waters - tequila, mineral water, and fresh lime juice. Simple, crisp, and refreshing. We'll definitely be back.

A group of nine of us decided to visit Olamendi's in Dana Point. The patio's view is beautiful and…read morewe asked to be seated there. Although there were two large tables that could be joined, they refused. We were seated inside. Our server, Claudia, approached our table with a sour attitude. She never greeted us and coldly asked for our drink order. She brought our drinks, and proceeded to take our order. I politely asked if she would break down the bill individually, she said no. Our food was mediocre at best. I ordered a shredded beef Chimichanga which completely tasteless (and to my surprise was charged $4.00 extra for Birria which I did not order). I later discovered the Birria was the shredded beef I ordered). Everyone at the table was disappointed with the taste of the food. We visit many restaurants, especially Mexican Food; we had never encountered the added charges for the basics, i.e. chips and salsa (refills were $3.50 for each item). The carnitas were dry, the Guacamole ordinary, and the tacos were served without salsa. My friend ordered Pico de Gallo and was charged $4.00 for it. We do not recommend Olamendi's.