California - Must sees/Must eats in/around Dana Point?

My wife and I will be spending five nights at the St. Regis Monarch Beach during the fourth week in October. I'm useless in Orange County and appreciate any recommendations for must-do activities and restaurants that a foodie would enjoy.

Many thanks!

What are you in to? Shopping? History? Beaches? (altho will be a little cool)

Dana Point Harbor
San Juan Capistrano - the Mission & Los Olas (?) district
Laguna Beach
Balboa Island
Newport Harbor
San Clemente
Corona del Mar Tidepools
Crystal Cove Cottage District

Some people really like Stonehill Tavern at the St. Regis - I was somewhat underwhelmed, but at least try to get one of those cosy little room nooks off the bar - not sure if they serve full menu there, but they look like fun!

For Food, check chowhound.com for all of these towns. Stand-outs are:

Laguna - Mozambique, 230 Forest, Cafe Zoolu
Newport - Sage in Eastbluff, Blue Water Grill
Corona del Mar - Bungalow, Banderas
Crystal Cove - The Boardwalk (right on the beach - does not take resvs, so get there early & be prepared to wait)

Lots of stuff, just tell me what you're in to!

San Juan Capistrano - Ramos House Cafe for breakfast or lunch. Highly recommended. The town itself is worth the drive.

Drive over to Montage and walk around. You'll wish this was the place that was part of Starwood. You might even decide to eat lunch or dinner there.

Thank you both! I'll put all these on the list of possibilities :)

I was recently went to San Clemente and tried to eat at the seafood place on the pier, but was an hour wait. There is a Mexican restaurant La Racherita(?) that is great in the downtown area (I wasn't driving so don't remember any of the streets although it did have a black sign and was on the way to the beach from 405/5) I had the Lobster Quesadilla and it was surprisingly delicious. I hear the shrimp quesadilla and the Bloody Mary's are equally great.

San Juan Capistrano - Ramos House Cafe for breakfast or lunch....

Highly concur ^

I would also say the mission at San Juan Capistrano. A fascinating place.

The Chart House in Dana Point, while a chain, is a very neat building and has great views of the harbor and ocean...could be worth a stop for a cocktail or two.

This post may be too late, but here goes:


Since it's relatively warm now, you might want to go visit Laguna Beach and walk around.
Good eats can be found at the Beach House, which has a great beachfront view.
There's Las Brisas on PCH just north of Broadway/133, which has great Mexican/seafood.
There's also The White House, which is just south of Broadway on the land side. They have great food and even better breakfasts. It's also got live music on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

In Dana Point, I went on an evening cruise a few years ago. It was out of the Dana Point Wharf on the Dana Pride. It was light appetizers, drinks, and live music, as well as a scenic cruise from Dana Point Harbor to Laguna Beach. I wanna say it was only $25 per person. I'm sure you can ask the concierge and they will have the info.

In Dana, there's also Agostino's on PCH. Great Italian food with a view of the beach.

Hope this helps!
Steve :)

Also in Laguna Beach is Hush. (http://www.hushrestaurant.com) Great spot! ^