Lorena L.

I love Lantern Bay Park - it's one of my favorite parks in Orange County. It's a big, beautiful, peaceful park, with lots of trees, shade, picnic benches, grills and beautiful views. I was lucky enough to spend every day of my staycation here in the perfect 74-76 degree weather. The Park is adjacent to the Laguna Cliffs Marriot so in the morning, I would leave the hotel, walk Piper, yoga mat over my shoulder, find a spot to do a morning stretch/meditation while the sun was rising. There's a coffee shop at the bottom the bluff so I would get my coffee walk back up the hill, set up my chair, Piper's blanket, got caught up on writing and reading saved Substack articles. I brought my cooler with snacks and juices from Kreation - it was the best way to spend the day. In the evenings, I made it a point to find a good spot to watch the spectacular sunsets and it made me happy to end the day this way. On Saturday, there was a group of women there to take an outdoors yoga class, I asked if I could join and did a class in the park. On Sunday, by the time 1 p.m. rolled around, it was a ghost town, then I remembered that it was Super Bowl Sunday and there was only women, strollers and toddlers at the kids' part of the park. I found a good tree to sit enjoy the quietness of the afternoon. While I was there, I noticed a priest with a group of people in the amphitheater - I thought it was a prayer group but then a family arrived with a loved one in a wheelchair and he looked very sick, everyone started praying and crying. I was not expecting the emotion that overcame me, and cried my eyes out. My family went through something like this a couple of years ago and it hit me pretty good. It was a somber note to end my staycation but a reminder that life is short, none of us are ever guaranteed tomorrow, and to let the people you love know you love them (even if they don't want to hear from you) and to show your love with actions. I would recommend Lantern Bay Park to everyone. It's a great place to chill, bring a chair, read a book, write, bring your family, your pets, spend a day here and watch the sunrises and sunsets - it's beautiful, in a great location with lots to do - ten stars all the way.

Frank P.

A beautiful park with an amazing view of Dana Point Harbor. Its mostly grassy areas with several picnic tables and BBQs. One end has a small playground, restrooms, and a drinking fountain. The side I entered I came up 118 steps. They really need a drinking fountain there too. Overall this is a nice place to relax and enjoy the view.

I.A R.

One of the most beautiful parks I've ever been to, with an incredible view of the ocean and harbor. It's clean, full of green areas, and has big trees on one side. The playground is well maintained, and it's a perfect spot for taking pictures. We had a wonderful time here with my granddaughter.

Angie L.

This playground has the best views! Lots of parking curbside and is fantastic for ages 2+. There is a big grassy area where lots of people do fitness activities and many folks walk their dogs on the trail. One thing I love about the playground is the multiple benches that are around it for parents to sit. The playground scape is challenging for older kids but still simple enough for a young toddler to be able to explore. I will definitely make this my normal playground for my kiddo!

Sandy B.

What a gorgeous park! Beautiful greenery all over with trees, benches and tables. Every spot overlooks the ocean and is breathtaking. It's so relaxing here. There is street parking available for free. They even have Bocce ball courts too. (Which is what I came for). You definitely need to add this one to your list of parks to enjoy.

Mona Q.

Summer, summer, summer time it's time to unwind! By DJ Jazz Jeff Lantern Bay Park is one of the finest parks around to take an easy stroll and to enjoy the stunning, panoramic million dollar ocean views. We love coming to the park which features an amphitheater, is well maintained with lush green grass, with lots of Lily of the Nile and beautiful mature trees. It's a nice park to spend some quality time. They have a few awesomely placed picnic tables and benches to bask in the ocean views, Dana Point Harbor. If you have small kids there is a small playground to keep the little ones happy and entertained. They have yoga as well check the schedule online @ Www.iloveyoga.org There is a free parking lot on Golden Lantern/Dana Point Harbor Drive. Park in the free parking lot and cross the street to walk up the famous steps up to the park - you'll enjoy a nice little workout with a great view as the reward.

Wonderful grassy park with amazing views in all directions. Lots of options for shade and seating, dog walking and people walking including flat areas accessible to all. Parking isn't easy but it's mostly free.

Kelly T.

Nothing beats these views for a kids playground! Parking is an issue when yoga class is taking place on the nearby grass. For some reason these "fit chicks" prefer to take all the closer street parking adjacent to the playground versus walking up from the actual parking lot at the base of the hill (constantly--it's probably 75% of the times we visit).

Marina A.

Beautiful park with amazing views everywhere you look! The ocean, the coastline and the mountains! Doesn't get better than that on a perfect day in Southern California! What's not to love with 75 degrees outside and low humidity. Lots of tables and benches so you can make a picnic lunch and enjoy the views. Located above Dana Point Marina. Came on a week day so not many people, nice and peaceful. If you are a sucker for a view then a definite visit!

Vincent C.

Oh my goodness this park is pretty amazing for it's great views of the ocean. This is a great park to spend with someone you love because in the evening it can be very romantic. This park is all about the views because sits high on a hill. There's one playground but there are a few picnic tables. There are a lot of trees for shade but there are a lot of open spaces if you want to sunbathe. This is a pretty big park and a lot of people do come here. On Sundays I believe there is free yoga in the park because I seen a lot of females in their yoga attire. If you walk up the stairs to get to this park you will be very tired when you get to the top. Or you could just drive up the hill and park on the street but there is a small parking lot where you can park also. Parking maybe an issue on the weekends so you may want to get there early. If you haven't been to this park you must come here if not you are definitely missing out on a beautiful view.

Joseph Y.

This park sits adjacent to Hertiage Park which is across the street of golden lantern. This park is a lot larger and has more places to do things like sports, yoga and jogging. The views are a bit better than Hertiage in my opinion, because you can see more of the coast to the south. It's also a better spot to picnic because there's just so much more wide open space and more trees for shade. There's also a nice path which leads you around the park.

Vincent P.

Been on a mission to find hidden gems around OC and this place fits the bill! This park will present you with a gorgeous vantage point of the Pacific Ocean and cliffs in the far distance, with the boat dock, trees, and rock pier in the near distance. The only thing I wished was different is some of the trees below obstruct the view of the cliffs and the shoreline in the distance. Although it was a cloudy day when I went, the views were still amazing up top and certainly worth the drive. This would be an ideal location to bust out your smartphones and take a panoramic shot. The park itself is clean and spacious. On an off day, you probably have enough empty space to start a pick-up game of flag football lol. There is lots of big trees with many tables beneath them so you can find plenty of shaded areas on a sunny day. The park is near a wealthy residential area so it is well maintained. This would be a good place to get your stair/quad workout going as there is a giant flight of stairs as one of the entrances. There is also a small playground on the south side for the kids. The closest parking would be to park on one of the side streets next to the park. I choose to park at the giant sloping hill next to the park and it was a 1 minute walk to reach the park. That place should be available for you to park any time besides Monday mornings for street sweeping. A short distance away is Heritage Park which will provide you with a different, but mostly similar, vantage point. You can actually see each park, when you stand at the other park. If you're looking for a beautiful overlook, look no further.

Super nice place. No swings or monkey Bars! Some tears in the ground padding but still safe enough. Some pch noise great looking BbQ. Over all worth checking out. Also has just a touch romance for date or picnic or quite walk! This was on a weekday visit.