Waterman's Plaza

The City of Dana Point brags that "[s]urfing may have started in Hawaii, but the surf industry started here in Dana Point." Although they are not the only place to make such a claim, there is no doubt that "Killer Dana" was quintessential in the surf culture of the 1950s and 60s. What is now Dana Point Harbor was once legendary for its giant waves, drawing surfers from all across the state. Among those who came here were Hobie Alter, inventor of the foam surfboard and Hobie Cat catamaran, and Bruce Brown, who filmed the legendary surfing documentary The Endless Summer here. Although the glory days came to an end when Dana Point Harbor began construction in 1966, surfing continues at other beaches in the city.

Dana Point has commemorated its surfing history with Waterman's Plaza, located on Pacific Coast Highway across from Doheny State Beach. In addition to statues of Hobie Alter and Bruce Brown, there are also ones of surf artist John Severson, surfing luminaries Joyce Hoffman and Phil Edwards, and tandem surfers Steve and Barrie Boehne. There is also a mosaic recreation of The Endless Summer's famous movie poster and plaques explaining more about the surfing history of the area.