Dana Point Harbor Partners, LLC (DPHP), a collaboration created to operate and redevelop Dana Point Harbor in a partnership with the County of Orange.  It is a made up of three best in class real estate development firms, each specializing in a unique product type. Burnham-Ward Properties is responsible for stewarding the harbor’s Commercial Core activities featuring the retail, restaurants, offices and other landside buildings, as well as all parkscape areas. Bellwether Financial Group guides the marina operations and redevelopment including the boat slips, boater facilities, dry boat storage, day-boat parking and launch ramp areas. R.D. Olson Development leads the hotel redevelopment and hospitality components of the harbor.

The partnership will connect the harbor’s landside and waterside to become a singular cohesive waterfront experience.

DPHP are united by a love of the water and are dedicated to preserving Dana Point Harbor’s historical significance. This will ensure every element of the harbor is thoughtfully designed, redeveloped and managed to be reimagined into a world-class destination with historic roots and local charm.

Dana Point Harbor is over 50 years old. Construction of the Harbor began in the 60s, and it was officially dedicated on July 31, 1971. Due to the close proximity to the ocean air, being a highly trafficked area, and deferred maintenance, the Harbor’s buildings and docks are beyond repair.

Since signing the lease in October 2018, DPHP have made cosmetic improvements to the Harbor such as painting all buildings, new signage, and addressing various safety issues. While these improvements make the buildings appear more stable, professional engineering surveys have concluded that most of the buildings within the Harbor are unfortunately unsalvageable.

A P-3, shorthand for a public-private-partnership, is a legally binding agreement between public and private-sector organizations. In the case of Dana Point Harbor, the County of Orange (owner), a public entity, have selected Dana Point Harbor Partners (DPHP), a private entity, to revitalize and manage the Harbor.  Under this agreement, the County of Orange retains ownership of the Harbor, and DPHP have a 66-year ground lease with the County, which commenced October of 2018. In a P-3, the private party invests its own capital (no taxpayer dollars are spent) to design, develop, and maintain the property for the full duration of the lease.

Public-private partnerships help fill the void between typical annual government accounting and capital budgeting. Simply, it allows for private entities to invest their own dollars, freeing up funding for government entities to utilize on more critical issues. In a recent report by Deloitte titled, “Closing America’s Infrastructure Gap: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships,” it succinctly outlines benefits to utilizing P-3s as follows:

1. P-3s have a solid track record of on-time, on-budget delivery.
2. P-3s transfer certain risks to the private sector and provide incentives for assets to be properly maintained.
3. P-3s can lower the cost of infrastructure to the public entity by reducing both construction costs and overall life-cycle costs.
4. Since satisfaction metrics can be built into the contract, P-3s encourage a strong customer service orientation.

In the case of Dana Point Harbor, a P-3 is beneficial as the County does not need to fund the needed improvements and revitalization of the Harbor. This frees up tax-payer dollars to be spent in other needed areas within The County of Orange. The County collects rent from DPHP which is put towards funding and improvements in all areas of The County.

DPHP manage the area from Puerto Place near Doheny State Beach, to the start of the Sailing and Events Center at Baby Beach. DPHP also manage the fishing pier at Baby Beach.

The revitalization is privately funded by DPHP. No taxpayer dollars are being spent.

The revitalization is anticipated to cost nearly $600 million.

DPHP began demolition of the original docks and slips in August of 2022 and commenced construction of the first phase of new boat slips in November of 2022. The waterside improvements will be completed in 15 total phases over an approximate 5-year period. The purpose of replacing the docks in phases is to allow for minimal disruption to the boaters and public during replacement. Phase 5 was completed on June 1, 2024, which marked the full revitalization of the entire west basin cove. Phase 10 was completed December 2025, and Phase 11 opened in May 2026.  

DPHP commenced construction on the Commercial Core revitalization on February 7, 2024. The Commercial Core features 5 phases which include approximately 120,000 SF of restaurants and shops as well as a 3-level 984-stall parking structure. Phase 1 and 2 of the Commercial Core construction consists of the three-tiered parking structure, underground utility infrastructure and brand-new harbor entrance at the corner of Golden Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive. These concurrent phases began March 1, 2024 with completion July 2, 2025.

With the official completion of the first two phases, construction for Phase 3 of the Commercial Core began early 2026, which includes development along the waterfront buildings. Phase 4 is anticipated to begin Fall 2026.

The purpose of developing in phases is to maintain access to the waterfront for boaters and the public as well as to allow existing businesses to remain open to the public during construction as long as is possible.

The hotel component of the DPHP revitalization was officially approved by the California Coastal Commission on June 14, 2024, and by Dana Point City Council on July 16, 2024.

The County of Orange owns Dana Point Harbor. DPHP has a 66 year ground lease with the County of Orange to manage and revitalize Dana Point Harbor. As of October 2018, DPHP has been responsible for the day to day management and expenses of the Harbor.

DPHP opened the Dana Point Harbor Community Room in 2024, located at Mariner’s Village 34515 Golden Lantern, to offer the public the opportunity to stop in, view the latest project renderings, and learn more from the DPHP team in person. The community room was decommissioned mid-July 2025 in preparation for the next phase of construction.

Additional inquiries may be directed to info@danapointharbor.com