Burnham-Ward Properties (BWP) is spearheading the revitalization of Dana Point Harbor’s restaurants, retail shops, parkscapes, and public spaces, known collectively as the Commercial Core. BWP will transform the Harbor experience into a world-class dining, shopping, and recreation destination, all while instilling the Harbor’s rich history into the revitalization.
Restaurants
Exciting new restaurants will join harbor favorites to create an elevated and cohesive dining destination. BWP is hand-selecting restaurants that will diversify the harbor’s culinary offering, and include all dining service levels from fine-dining to upscale casual as well as convenient grab and go for boaters and guests departing on whale watching and fishing excursions.
Retail
Local and regional retailers will enhance the Dana Point shopping experience for residents and tourists alike. The small-town surf, boating and fishing culture will be reflected in retailers that speak to both the harbor’s history and future.
Mature Landscaping & Preservation
More than 400 tree and shrub specimens have been identified for the extensive mature landscaping plans throughout Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the commercial core. In preparation for Phase 3 of construction, more than 30 mature tree and shrub specimens were carefully boxed, transported, and preserved from the original harbor footprint to be replanted on-site.
Smaller specimens continue to be replanted throughout the harbor’s vast parkscapes and public areas to further enhance the current experience. BWP is also partnering with the local community to rehome any specimens that will not be viable for the final project.
Public Spaces & Art
Along with increased public access from the waterside, the landside will also see expanded greenscapes and public spaces for guests to enjoy daily while well-equipped for special events. Winding green paseos are placed along the waterfront and will be home to plants and trees that were salvaged from the harbor, along with new trees that thrive in the California climate. There will be ample public seating and grass areas for visitors to pause and take in the water.
Thoughtfully curated public art will be incorporated into key areas of the revitalization and will represent the many facets of the harbor from whale watching and marine life to the waterman’s heritage and activities lending the harbor to its own art walk for generations to come.
Parking, Now Open
The 984-stall, state-of-the-art parking structure includes 93 boater dedicated spaces and boater service amenities including restrooms, showers, and a cart corral. A significant increase in customer parking spaces and added reservation convenience have also been implemented to accommodate sport fishing, whale watching and Catalina Express patrons departing from the adjacent Dana Wharf area. The new structure also features 16 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations located on the first level. A valet drop point for boaters positioned at the gangway to the docks is still to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Project Developer:
For the past 30 years, Burnham-Ward Properties has been a leader in the Southern California commercial real estate industry. At BWP, we believe that properties provide a canvas for people to interact, work and experience life.
Our goal is to create community through property, to positively influence people’s lives and to do so in an environmentally conscious manner. The result is a uniquely creative and disruptive approach to traditional retail space and a portfolio of properties that best serve the community, are environmentally conscious and add long-term value. BWP’s most notable developments include The Long Beach Exchange & The Hangar, and South Coast Collection & The OC Mix.
Project Phasing:
Phases 1 & 2: Parking Structure, Utility Infrastructure, Landscaping and Site Work, New Entrance/Golden Lantern Extension
Phase 3: Waterfront Buildings
Phases 4 & 5: Wharf Buildings & Surface Parking Lot
Project Timeline:
With completion of the first two phases mid-2025, construction on Phase 3 of the Commercial Core, which includes development along the waterfront began February 2026. The following subsequent phases will include the redevelopment of the buildings within The Wharf which is anticipated to begin Fall 2026.
Features of the Commercial Core:
- Burnham-Ward Properties (BWP) is spearheading the revitalization of Dana Point Harbor’s restaurants, retail stores, and public spaces. BWP will transform the Harbor experience into a world-class dining, shopping, and recreation destination. All of the restaurant spaces will feature indoor/outdoor patio areas that open up onto the waterfront and paseos with many amenities, open spaces featuring, public art, educational exhibits, soft seating areas, fire pits and recreational activities.
- Highly curated restaurants and chef-driven concepts from across the globe, and dynamic retailers will join existing Harbor favorites to create an elevated destination, while maintaining the Harbor’s unique character and charm.
- Benefits:
- 984-stall, state-of-the-art parking structure – Includes 93 boater dedicated spaces and boater-service amenities, and EV charging stations
- 12 new or remodeled multi-tenant retail and restaurant buildings with best-in-class, coastal-inspired, four-sided architecture
- Healthy building design features including expansive indoor/outdoor spaces and covered patios
- 50 new restaurants and retailers offering diverse dining and shopping
- Unique food hall featuring up-and-coming chef-driven offerings
- Addition of a museum for community and educational events
- Enhanced gathering spaces, including the waterfront boardwalk and elevated deck
- Programmable outdoor spaces for food, fitness, craft fairs, music, farmers markets, etc.
- Drought-tolerant landscape palette that will minimize water usage while aligning with the coastal theme
- Thoughtful recycling and water run-off filtration system
Parking Structure:
- Phase 1 of formal construction for the harbor-wide revitalization began February 7, 2024. Phase 2 commenced in July of 2024. Both Phases 1 & 2 were completed in 2025, and reopened to the public on July 3, 2025.
- The 984-stall, state-of-the-art parking structure includes 93 boater dedicated spaces and boater-service amenities including restrooms, showers and changing rooms, a corral of service carts to aid boaters carrying supplies to their boats and a valet drop point for boaters positioned in the gangway to the docks.
- The new structure also features EV charging stations, a significant increase in parking spaces and convenience for sportfishing, whale watching and Catalina Express customers departing from the adjacent Dana Wharf area.
- By facilitating the project in phases, the Harbor will remain open to public access throughout the construction process, with as little impact on parking, businesses and common areas as possible including retail, restaurants, whale watching, sportfishing, and Catalina Express.
Which new restaurants and shops will be in the Harbor?
DPHP has not made any announcements regarding new businesses. To enhance the dining and shopping experience, the revitalized Harbor will offer a more diverse mix of cuisines at varying price points along with new and exciting retail concepts.
Will current tenants remain in the Harbor?
Burnham-Ward Properties is working closely with each current Harbor tenant to determine if the revitalized Harbor will be a fit for their business.
More Information:
If you have additional questions, please email info@DanaPointHarbor.com and your question will be directed to the appropriate party.