Harbor Rebuild: What's Open
What the $600M harbor rebuild means in practice — what's open, what's closed, official and reported target dates, and where to park.
The county-owned harbor is midway through a $600 million rebuild, run by Dana Point Harbor Partners under a long-term lease with OC Parks and aimed at finishing around the 2028 LA Olympics. This page tracks what that means in practice: what's open, what's closed, and where to park. Where official target dates and independently reported ones differ, both are named. When the rebuild ends, this page retires.
The marina (docks and slips)
In force nowPhases 1-11 of the marina rebuild are complete; Phase 12 began in early summer 2026 (Supervisor Foley's office, checked June 2026).
The in-water work is the furthest along. The Fifth District Supervisor's office says the marina is on track for completion in 2028; boating press reported it past two-thirds done in early 2026. New East Basin docks have been opening for boater occupancy phase by phase.
Mariner's Village and the commercial core (shops and restaurants)
In force nowPhase 3 waterfront demolition began in early 2026; four Harbor Village businesses closed April 30, 2026 (Dana Point Times, March 2026).
The plan: seven new retail buildings along the waterfront, more than 50 shops and restaurants totaling over 100,000 square feet, and a new 604-stall surface lot along Dana Point Harbor Drive.
On timing, sources differ: the Supervisor's office says completion 'within the next three years'; California Construction News (March 2026) reported construction running through late 2027.
Who's open, who's closed
In force nowChecked against live pages and local coverage, June 12, 2026.
Open: Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching (running daily trips from Golden Lantern), Wind & Sea (taking reservations; the Dana Point Times reported in November 2025 that its owner expects to relocate from the 1971 building in a later phase), and Coffee Importers — now inside the Ocean Institute, where it reopened June 27, 2025 after 46 years at its old harbor spot. The Log reported (from the operator) that whale watching, sportfishing and Catalina Express remain open through construction.
Closed: Jon's Fish Market (May 2026, after 46 years — the owner cited health and the weight of running a small business), Harpoon Henry's (August 10, 2025, after 50 years), and the four Harbor Village storefronts that closed April 30, 2026: The Brig, Beach Harbor Pizza, Village Market and Bella Bazaar. Harbor Grill closed back in 2022.
Parking during construction
In force nowThe new three-level parking structure (nearly 1,000 spaces, per the Supervisor's office) is the dependable place to park; surface lots keep being re-striped and fenced as phases advance.
Head for the parking structure at the harbor entrance (Golden Lantern at Dana Point Harbor Drive, per boating press) rather than hunting the old surface lots — fence lines near Mariner's Village move with each demolition phase. Construction-period lot changes are posted on the harbor operator's site.
Two new harbor hotels
ComingConstruction anticipated to begin at the end of 2026 (Supervisor's office, checked June 2026).
Approved by the Coastal Commission in 2024; currently in design and permitting. Expect groundbreaking activity on the commercial side of the harbor from late 2026.
Target dates, as published in mid-2026
April 30, 2026
Four Harbor Village businesses closed
The Brig, Beach Harbor Pizza, Village Market and Bella Bazaar, ahead of Phases 3 and 5 demolition.
Early summer 2026
Marina Phase 12 begins
Per the Fifth District Supervisor's office.
End of 2026
Hotel construction anticipated to start
Per the Supervisor's office; design and permitting underway now.
Late 2027
Commercial core construction expected to wrap
As reported by California Construction News (March 2026). The Supervisor's office is less specific: 'within the next three years.'
2028
Marina completion target; full harbor aimed at the LA Olympics
The official line is the marina on track for 2028; trade press frames the whole project around being ready for the 2028 Games.