Lots to Sea

If you think you’ve got another Jacques Cousteau on your hands, it might be well worth a trip to Dana Point, where the sea meets science every day of the year.

Upcoming events such as the kickoff of whale watching season the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas carols around a roaring fire on Doheny State Beach and rides around the harbor with Santa make this seaside location a great holiday destination for the entire family.

Sea Creatures Close-Up

The Orange County Marine Institute (24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive; [949] 496-2274) is where kids can study the sea’s past, present and future, all in just a few hours.

Known nationally for its outstanding maritime educational programs, this nonprofit organization will host some 78,000 schoolchildren this year. But weekends (Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) are great times for the kids to show the place off to parents. A few hours could do it, but you could easily spend a day there.

Start with a tour of the institute’s brig, the Pilgrim, where kids can step off the dock and back in time to the days of Richard Henry Dana Jr. As he documented in his book “Two Years Before the Mast,” Dana sailed the Pilgrim as a common sailor from Boston in 1834 after temporarily dropping out of Harvard because of a bout with the measles.

In the 19th century, the Pilgrim and other ships stopped at what is now Dana Point Harbor to trade shoes, food and ironware for cattle hides used by Boston’s leather industry. Crews would toss the skins down the 200-foot cliffs.

Today, kids can get a sense of the crews’ cramped quarters and the muscle needed to work the sails. They can also see a cattle hide in the ship’s main hold. Stories of the sea are plentiful, thanks to costumed docents (Sundays, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free).

Educational programs are available throughout the week for groups, including overnight stays on board from 3 p.m.-9 a.m. for fourth- and fifth-graders ($52 per student).

For your own sea safari, consider a two-hour Marine Wildlife Cruise aboard the institute’s 70-foot sea laboratory, the R.V. Sea Explorer. Spot the occasional sea lion or poisonous scorpion fish. Dolphins are almost always sighted.

When the motor is turned off, the boat becomes a floating laboratory where instructors and lab specialists collect sea samples and mud from the ocean’s floor to scrutinize under a microscope.

“You can learn a lot about the health of the environment by looking at the local mud” in the ocean, says Dan Stetson, who oversees the institute’s operations. Even larger creatures, such as jellyfish, tongue fish and crustaceans, are brought on board for a look-see. ($20 adults, $14 children ages 4-12. Reservations required. Today, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, 1:30-4 p.m. Call [949] 96-2274 for future schedules.)

Or consider a 2 1/2-hour bioluminescence cruise, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. Dana Point’s glittering night light of glowing plankton, fish and worms are common sights.

If you don’t have your sea legs yet, you can still get up close and personal with sea creatures at the institute’s 400-gallon viewing tank. Peek in on sea stars, hermit crabs, angel sharks and sea urchins every Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. “It’s a great opportunity to learn and to see and touch things,” said lab director Linda Blanchard.

If you want to roll up your pant legs, the institute offers tide pool exploration at its Marine Life Refuge for ages 4 and up. This picturesque spot has been designated as a “no-take area,” meaning what’s found stays put. “I like to say: ‘Take only pictures and leave only footprints,’ ” said Stetson (today, noon-1:30 p.m.; call for future schedules).

Brown Bags

Hungry for a no-frills lunch? Pull up a bench or find a spot on the grass for a picnic on the harbor. You can’t beat the view. If you’ve forgotten to pack a brown bag, Bart’s Bait is next door to the Marine Institute. No one’s really sure when the shore shack is open for business because proprietor Paula Hops, a regular in the seaside community since 1981, isn’t telling. If the weather’s nice, she’s there. If it’s hazy, she arrives later in the day. A hot dog is $2, a chili dog $2.25 ($2.50 with cheese).

On the Lookout

Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the official kickoff to the whale watching season. Thirty- to 40-ton gray whales from the icy waters off Alaska will pass Orange County’s doorstep en route to Baja’s warmer climes. Two-hour, fully narrated excursions are offered daily by Dana Wharf Sportfishing ($14 adults; $8 kids; $10 seniors 55 and older. 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. 34675 Street of the Golden Lantern. [949] 496-5794; https://www.danawharfsportfishing.com).

Yuletide

There’s lots to do at the beach during the dead of winter. Consider Doheny State Beach’s Christmas Carols in the Park, where families can decorate the park’s Christmas tree with seashells, seaweed or something handmade (25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dec. 10, 7 p.m-9 p.m.). There’ll be caroling, hot cider and cookies by a roaring fire on the beach. Bring beach chairs. Call (949) 496-6172 for information.

The 25th Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade begins at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11 and Dec. 17-18. This year’s theme is Silver Bells. If you want to join the parade, catch a ride with Dana Wharf Sportfishing for a 1 1/2-hour lap around the harbor ($15 adults; $10 children). Grilled food, snacks, beer and soft drinks available. Call (949) 496-5794 for information.

Kids might also enjoy a free 20-minute Boat Ride With Santa, Dec. 11 and 12 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.). “It’s wonderful for kids who haven’t been on a boat before,” said Donna Kalez, manager of Dana Wharf Sportfishing. “It’s a good alternative to the mall.” Polaroid photos of the kids on Santa’s lap are $1.

IF YOU GO

GETTING THERE: Exit southbound Interstate 5 at Pacific Coast Highway or northbound Interstate 5 at Beach Cities. Turn left on Dana Point Harbor Drive.

NOW THAT’S A PIT STOP: Gray whales are seen each year stopping off at Dana Point to snack on organisms that live on the ocean floor. Scientists believe the area’s shallow waters and abundant kelp supply attract the whales for this pit stop on their long journey.

IF YOU LOOK HARD: Walk the rocky shoreline under the Headlands at the Marine Institute Refuge area and see if you can spot the hidden face in the rocks. Walk to the farthest point along the rocky shoreline and discover a secret hidden cave, but only during low tide.