Doheny, the first California state beach celebrated its 75th birthday in 2006. The activities that celebrated the event were a beach bash including educational booths, displays of old woodies and surfboards, and tours.
Quirky characters through the years have claimed this as a favorite haunt, including a white-haired man in his 60s named "Pop" Proctor, the first lifeguard at Doheny Beach in 1944. Proctor used to fish from his paddleboard, and was always under the watchful eye of the California Fish and Game for his abundant catch. "He was just a little old man who came here to retire," said Jim Sapa, Doheny supervising ranger. "All the old-time surfers knew him."
One of the towers was named for him, so the order went: "Lifeguard tower number 9, 10, 11, then Pop's," Serpa explained. Pop's tower was changed to No. 12 in the past few years, to ease confusion for rookie lifeguards. The 1.5-mile stretch of beach, between Dana Point Harbor and San Clemente, has had a bad rap through the years.
Doheny routinely winds up on the annual "Beach Bummer" list put out by the environmental group Heal the Bay because of chronic contamination problems. But the sometimes dingy water doesn't keep away more than 1.5 million beach-goers who flock here each year, as this piece of coastline has more to offer than the waves: bird- and bat-watching, volleyball courts, bonfires, a butterfly exhibit, and of course, surfing too. Not to mention a man-made tide pool filled with 500 gallons of water with sea creatures such as grunion, crabs and lobsters.
Perhaps the biggest draw is the campground - one of few spots along the coast where visitors can pitch tents close enough to hear waves lapping at night. On a recent day, three generations of one family were enjoying a beachfront campsite, lounging around with surfboards, a metal detector, a kayak, body boards and beach towels.
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Timeline 1931: Edward Doheny Sr., on May 31, donates about 44 acres to be used for public recreation. The land is valued at $1 million.
1930s: The beach is used to unload bootlegged liquor.
1940:The state starts regulating camping.
1944: Doheny takes in the most revenue of any campground in the state park system.
1957: The State Park Commission orders the park closed because of contamination of the water, the first time this happens at a state park. Day use reopens not too long after.
1959: The entire park - including overnight camping - is reopened, with 425 parking spots.
1965: Capistrano Pier removed.
1966: Surfing popularity is booming, and 200 boards were counted here at one time on a January day.
1967: The camping fee goes from $2 to $3, and day use goes up from 50 cents to $1. Annual pass costs $10.
1969: Dana Point Harbor opens.
1973: The Coastal Commission in November OKs a plan to add 234 campsites and an interpretive center. Locals and motels protest campground expansion. Because of opposition and the threat of a suit, plans for expansion are later dropped.
1982: A "no nukes" rally is held against the addition of two new reactors at San Onofre; 7,000 to 10,000 attend. Thundershowers break it up.
1988: Liquor is outlawed in the southern part of the park. North day-use restriction comes two years later.
1997: The first Doheny Blues Festival is held.
2005: An estimated 2,000 people gather for a Hawaiian-style surf funeral for Dale Velzy, who was considered the father of the surf industry. About 800 surfers join a "paddle-out."
Source: California State Parks |
