OCCNPS Field Trip - Dana Point Headlands - April 6, 2025

Join OCCNPS for a walk at the "The Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area". The Dana Point Preserve is owned and managed by the non-profit Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM). This area contains over 150 species of plants and animals that are native to coastal Southern California. Several rare and indigenous plant communities are found on the site, including; southern coastal bluff scrub, native grasslands, maritime succulent scrub, mixed chaparral, and coastal sage scrub. The unique setting and mix of habitats on the Headlands also provides a home for rare and threatened plants and animals. The Headlands are home to the Federally listed Pacific Pocket Mouse and Coastal California Gnatcatcher. Adjacent to the Preserve is the Hilltop Conservation Park and Harbor Point Conservation Park owned by the City of Dana Point. We will go on a moderate 2.5 mile hike on the path through the Dana Point Preserve, The Hilltop Conservation Park and the Harbor Park Conservation Park.

Meet: 9 am at Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center at the dead end of Green Lantern above Dana Point Harbor. It's reachable from the Harbor by taking Cove Road (near the Ocean Institute) up the hill to where it ends in the parking lot. You need to approach from the north if you are coming on Pacific Coast Highway. Just turn right onto Green Lantern and follow it to its end. (Address: 34588 Scenic Drive, Dana Point)

Attendance: limited to the first 10 sign-ups. Please use the following link: WaiverSign

Fee: No entrance fee nor parking pass is required.

Leaders: Sandy Leatherman-She conducted special status plant surveys on this site in 2019.

Physical Difficulty: Moderate. Bring hat, sunscreen, camera, wildflower book/notepad, binoculars for birds, water, and hiking shoes/boots. Restroom near the parking/start area only.

Plant Intensity: moderate.

Time: Approx. 2-3 hours, depending on the group.

Host or Publisher Sandy Leatherman