The final piece to the planned $550 million overhaul of the Dana Point Harbor is about in place, with the California Coastal Commission giving its OK for the construction of two new hotels in the 53-year-old harbor.
To be located along the harbor’s promenade, the Dana House will be a boutique-style hot
Renderings of hotels planned in Dana Point Harbor. There will be two new hotels: the Dana House and the Surf Lodge. Both were approved for development by R.D. Olson Development by the California Coastal Commission. The hotels could break ground next year if all permits are issued. (Photos courtesy of Bob Olson)
Renderings of hotels planned in Dana Point Harbor. There will be two new hotels: the Dana House and the Surf Lodge. Both were approved for development by R.D. Olson Development by the California Coastal Commission. The hotels could break ground next year if all permits are issued. (Photos courtesy of Bob Olson)
The Dana Point Marina Inn has about a year left before it is torn down to make way for two new hotels in the harbor. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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el and the Surf Lodge a more affordably priced option geared toward watermen, said developer Bob Olson, president of Newport Beach-based RD Olson Development.
Olson has been working with the California Coastal Commission for four years to get the necessary permits to develop the two new hotels that will replace the 167-room Dana Point Marina Inn that, if all goes as expected, could be demolished next June.
“We’re thrilled to move ahead; we have all our permits now for the commercial core,‘ Olson said, adding that work on a three-level parking structure is moving forward.
“It will be a year before we can start construction and two years to build the hotels,” he said, adding a few last permits are being finalized.
Olson is one of three developers who make up the Dana Point Harbor Partners, which won a 66-year lease in 2018 from the OC Board of Supervisors to renovate the harbor, including with a new 120,000-square-foot commercial core that will house shops, restaurants and public gathering spaces and an expansive boardwalk connecting Doheny State Beach to Baby Beach.
Another partner, Joe Ueberroth of Bellwether Financial Group, has already built about a third of the new 2,265-slip marina.
And, work began in February on the three-level parking structure, marking the start of construction on the landside commercial core. That development is led by Bryon Ward, president of Burnham Ward Properties.
The 984-stall parking structure is being built on the left side of Golden Lantern at the harbor’s entrance. It will have boater services, including restrooms, showers, changing rooms, e-charging stations, and dedicated parking for people going sportfishing, whale watching, and transiting on the Catalina Express.
“They’ve been going like gangbusters,” said Donna Kalez, who operates Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching and has been keeping an eye on the renovation’s progress. “We’re so excited to have ample parking for our customers, that we just can’t wait.”
“The new hotels will provide affordable options for my customers, many of who travel long distances to go on fishing and whale-watching trips,” Kalez said, adding connecting the commercial core to hotels is something “we’ve lacked for 53 years.”
Olson described the Dana House, which will have three levels and a rooftop deck, as similar to the Lido House in Newport Beach.
“It will be an updated version, but with more of a beach-house style,” he said. “The interiors will be timeless and feel modern with white wood paneling and white wood beams. It will be a beach house boutique hotel with a Nantucket flair.”
The 130-room hotel will have a rooftop lounge and restaurant with “beautiful water views,” he said.
Four townhouse-style, two-story units will accommodate families or larger groups. Each will have its own outdoor space with barbecues, TVs and fire pits.
Olson said he expects room rates to range from $300 to $500 per night.
The Surf Lodge, where overnight stays will start at $125 and go up to $250, will also have a rooftop lounge and a big yard with space to store surfboards, paddleboards and other smaller watercraft, Olson said.
“It will really be for the active traveler,” he said.
While the Dana House will have a historical nod to Richard Henry Dana, the town’s founder and author of “Two Years Before the Mast,” Olson said the lodge will represent Dana Point’s surfing heritage –the town identifies as the birthplace of the surfing industry – with a tribute to Killer Dana, a popular wave off Dana Cove’s rocky shoreline that never broke again after the county began constructing the harbor’s breakwater in 1966.
The Surf Lodge will “reflect the culture of Dana Point done in a fun and light-hearted way,” Olson said.
As part of the Coastal Commission’s approval process, Olson agreed to some stipulations benefiting the greater Orange County community. Included are programs to serve underprivileged youth and disabled people, who will be able to learn about water safety and take part in swimming and sailing lessons at the harbor, internships promoting indigenous land stewardship and exercise classes for fixed-income seniors.
The hotels will also help fund programs at the Sailing and Events Center, which is something Olson said Fifth District Orange County Supervisor Kristina Foley spearheaded.
“Over the past 18 months, our office spent countless hours negotiating with the city, Coastal Commission, and the Dana Point Harbor Partners to ensure this project supports and uplifts the social and nonprofit programs in Dana Point Harbor through a comprehensive community benefits package,” Foley said in a statement.
Olson said he is excited to start and said the two hotels are already taking shape “in my mind.”
“Now, it’s just putting it together,” he said.
“Our community will love these hotels,” he added. “These will be the crown jewels of lodging in Dana Point.”
