In 1971, the original Dana Point Harbor was still being built, and Don Hansen started a sportfishing business out of a trailer. Fifty-five years later, Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching is going back to a trailer. As Dana Point Times reported, co-owner Donna Kalez called it "a full-circle moment for us."
The new trailer will sit next to the Dana Point Harbor parking structure. That location tells you how this holiday season is set up. Dana Point Harbor Partners told The Log that "the Wharf will close to the public effective November 1, 2026, with all businesses terminating operations by October 31, 2026." For the first time in decades, the harbor's holiday season will run without its usual shopping and dining strip. Errands and boat departures shift to the parking structure, and the celebrations shift to the Island.
The Wharf's last day is Saturday, October 31
The Wharf is closing for Phase 4 of the Commercial Core revitalization. Phase 4 is part of the $600 million Harbor Revitalization Project, and Dana Point Times reports it will deliver about 20,000 square feet of new waterfront space with eight new tenants and as many as four returning ones. Wind & Sea Restaurant closed September 15 because Building 1 needs major construction work. That ended a run of 54 years in the harbor. The remaining Wharf tenants are scheduled to close Saturday, October 31:
- Turk's, a family-owned restaurant and bar here since 1984. Owner Candy Varteresian told Dana Point Times the team will be "pouring and serving daily through Oct. 31 on the Wharf." She also said Turk's plans to return after construction.
- Proud Mary's, part of the harbor since 1977. Owner Steve Zdrakas says he is considering reopening somewhere else if he finds an existing restaurant space.
- Golden Galleon Boutique, run by mother and daughter Marla and Briana Balmuth. In a statement quoted by Dana Point Times, Marla Balmuth said the two are "actively searching for the perfect temporary location in our local community."
- Frisby Cellars. The winery will keep serving at its Rancho Mission Viejo location, and Dana Point wine club members will get their benefits there.
- Art Sea Gift Chateau and Top Brass are also closing. Vintage Yacht Club is looking at relocation options.
None of these businesses has announced a temporary address. Harbor Partners says Art Sea Gift Chateau, Golden Galleon, Turk's, Frisby Cellars and Wind & Sea are still in talks about returning to the finished project. Katie Sorensen of Burnham-Ward Properties, one of the three firms in Dana Point Harbor Partners, explained the timing in the same Dana Point Times story: "this timeline is critical to achieving harbor opening ahead of LA28."
The parking structure becomes the harbor's storefront
Once the Wharf businesses leave, most of the harbor's day-to-day business gathers around the parking structure. Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Catalina Express will both run without interruption from on-site trailers next to the structure. The Wednesday Certified Farmers Market keeps its 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. hours but moves behind and inside the parking structure, according to the harbor's event listing. The harbor's construction schedule says the structure still offers four free hours of parking, and that pedestrian access to shops, restaurants, docks and the boardwalk stays open.
The holiday shopping moves there too. Harbor After Dark, Holiday Edition is a new night market curated with Modern Makers Mart. It sets up at the parking structure with rotating food trucks and seasonal drinks from Coco Bloom Coffee. The harbor's event calendar lists five dates:
Date | Hours |
|---|---|
Thursday, November 12 | 4 to 8 p.m. |
Thursday, November 19 | 4 to 8 p.m. |
Thursday, December 3 | 4 to 8 p.m. |
Thursday, December 10 | 4 to 8 p.m. |
Thursday, December 17 | 4 to 8 p.m. |
The first market opens on November 12, the same night the holiday lights come on. That Thursday is the season's first evening and its best single night for a visit. You can park, shop the market and walk out to the lights without moving the car.
Businesses outside the construction zone keep their normal access. The Log names Ocean Institute, Captain Dave's Dolphin Safari, Pure Watersports, Dana Point Yacht Club, Dana West Yacht Club and Aventura Sailing Association. For coffee, Coffee Importers has moved its café into the Ocean Institute's former Chambers Gift Shop space, Dana Point Times reports.
The Island hosts the celebrations
Nearly everything with a Santa, a stage or a statue happens on the Island. According to the harbor's Holidays at the Harbor page, the 2026 light display has more than 700,000 LED lights. It covers the all-new harbor entrance, the Island, and Bump Out Park near Baby Beach, and includes the whale sculpture, the harbor VW bus and the Merry Kiss Me display. The harbor's Happy Harbor Days listing has the lights on from November 12 through January 10, 2027.
Over December, most of the Island's events gather around one landmark, the Richard Henry Dana Jr. statue:
- Santa Paws, December 12 and 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Holiday pet photos with Santa and the harbor VW bus cost a $15 donation, and all proceeds go to the Pet Project Foundation.
- Little Folk Club, December 19, in front of the statue. Expect holiday music and photo spots, and bring blankets or chairs.
- Modern Makers Mart: Holiday Edition, Saturday, December 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 50 vendors, live music and kids' crafts. Pets are welcome.
The Chanukah menorah, a 12-foot display presented with the Chabad Jewish Center of Dana Point, will be lit for Hanukkah, December 4 through 12, at the Dana Point Fishing Pier. Earlier in the season, the 49th annual Turkey Trot runs on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, according to the race's official site. Sorensen also listed the Turkey Trot among the events that will keep going through construction.
The parade, seen from the Island or the water
The 51st Annual Boat Parade of Lights runs December 11 through 13. It starts at 6:30 p.m. each night, and this year's theme is "Dana Point's HARBORITAVILLE." The harbor says the public can watch from the Island park areas or the boardwalk. You can also book a parade charter with Dana Wharf or Captain Dave's, and the harbor warns those cruises sell out.
Santa Paws begins the morning after the parade's first night. On December 12 and 13, you can walk the dog to the statue in the morning and come back to the same lawn to watch the parade that evening.
Dana Wharf also has several other December sailings, all boarding from its new trailer by the parking structure:
- Holiday Harbor Lights Cruise, December 4, 5, 18 and 19
- Boat Rides with Santa aboard the Dana Pride, December 5 and 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds benefit Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay, and reservations are required.
- Holiday Wine Cruise, December 20 and 27, 5:30 to 7 p.m. It is a 90-minute trip with four tastings and live music.
Two items on the harbor's own pages that predate the closure
The Whale on the Wharf scavenger hunt starts December 1. The harbor's description sends families to participating stops "throughout the Wharf and the Village," and anyone who finds 10 or more whales can enter a grand prize raffle. The Wharf will be behind construction fencing by then, so the stops will be limited to businesses that are still open. Pick up a game card before you plan your route.
Parade parking is the other one. The harbor's parking page still shows a notice from last year's 50th parade. The Holiday Map & Guide linked from the holidays page is the 2025 edition. Neither one describes this December's layout. Until a 2026 version appears, the four free hours in the parking structure are the only parking information the harbor has confirmed for this season.
If you'd rather leave the harbor for an evening, two Del Prado additions from this year are a short drive up the hill in the Lantern District. Truly Gelato opened July 31 next to Truly Pizza at 24422 Del Prado Avenue, the OC Register reported. Shelter Distilling was open at 24701 Del Prado by early July, according to the Register.
If you're thinking about how the harbor revitalization could affect homes nearby, reach out to Adam Nelson. Adam's Agent Concierge service gives you personalized help and priority showings. Let's Connect.
