Directions to Race

FROM THE NORTH

Take I-5 South to the Pacific Coast Hwy/Camino Las Ramblas exit just past San Juan Capistrano (approximately 15 miles South of the 405/5 interchange). As soon as you exit, you will come to a fork - bear to the right. You are now on Pacific Coast Hwy (northbound). Drive 1 mile and turn left onto Dana Point Harbor Drive (it will be the second light you see and it’s just past the pedestrian bridge).

FROM THE SOUTH

Take I-5 North to the Beach Cities/Camino Las Ramblas off-ramp. On the offramp, you will veer left back under the freeway and then merge onto Pacific Coast Hwy. Continue about 1 mile to the second light and turn left on Dana Point Harbor Drive (just past the pedestrian bridge).

PADDLERS - Once on Dana Point Harbor Drive, take your first left into Doheny State Park. The park opens at 6:00 am and charges $15 per vehicle for all day parking. Metered parking is also now available.

CANOES & ESCORT BOATS - continue past Doheny State Park and turn left onto Embarcadero Place to access launch ramp. It will be the second left after you pass the Doheny State Park entrance. Gate fee is $18 per canoe. Overnight parking is an additional $18 per canoe and $10 per trailer. THERE IS NO PUBLIC PARKING FOR PASSENGER CARS AT THIS LOCATION. This is a public launch ramp so GET THERE EARLY! It might be full by 6:30 am on Saturday. THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT, PLEASE READ FURTHER BELOW.

For this event, the operators of the launch ramp have arranged for a separate parking area for canoe trailers and rigging away from general public parking. The canoe parking area will be open on Saturday from 4:30 AM to 7 PM. Should you decide to bring your trailer down on Friday, you will most likely have to park in the general public parking area but you will be required to move into the designated canoe trailer parking area on Saturday morning.

NO UNLOADING OR RIGGING OF CANOES WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC PARKING AREA.

Upon entering the launch ramp access gate on Saturday, you will be directed to the canoe trailer parking area. At the entrance to the canoe trailer parking area, you will be required to unhook your tow vehicle from your trailer, and launch ramp staff will use a motorized yard donkey to move your trailer into the designated parking/rigging area. Parking in an adjacent lot will be provided for tow vehicles. We recommend that you bring cradles to rest and rig your canoes on as this area is completely paved. At the completion of the event, launch ramp staff will assist in maneuvering your trailer to a position where you can attach your tow vehicle and navigate from the parking area safely. All trailers must be removed from the parking area on Saturday.

Please note that the launch ramp and parking area is now being operated by a private vendor under a long-term, 66-year lease, from the County of Orange. The vendor is making a big effort to accommodate our race but should they find a lack of cooperation from event participants, they could, at their discretion, decide not to allow this event in the future. Please be courteous to the launch ramp staff, and follow all of their directions.

Boat Launch - Gate Fee is $18 per canoe. We strongly recommend that all Clubs and Escort Boat operators arrange to bring their boats down on Friday before the race. Overnight parking is an additional $18 per canoe and $10 per trailer. This is a public launch ramp so it could be full by 6:30 am on Saturday. The Dana Outrigger Canoe Club does not accept responsibility for canoes and/or escort boats that are unable to gain entry due to a full launch ramp. There is no other launch ramp in the area should you arrive late and be turned away. We also recommend that you bring cradles to rest and rig your canoes as this area is completely paved. All trailers must be removed Saturday night after the race.

Registration - All registration should take place online before midnight on

August 10th. If you wait until race day to register, there is a $50 late fee per crew. Check-in and Registration will close at 8:00 am. Even if you only have a men’s team racing in the afternoon, you still must register and pay your race fees in the morning before 8:00 am. If you don’t pay your race fees before 8:00am, a late fee will be applied. Coaches must submit a signed SCORA waiver and a certificate of insurance for their escort boat when registering. Pick up a driver instruction packet for each escort boat driver when registering - reviews safety precautions, proper etiquette, maps, towing instructions, and women’s crew to men’s crew change-out procedures.