Doheny State Beach Gateway

In 1928, a corporate entity of oil tycoon Edward Doheny purchased a number of lots in Capistrano Beach. Doheny’s son, Ned, formed the Capistrano Beach Company to build a community of Spanish style houses. After Ned’s murder (that remains unsolved to this day) in 1929, Doheny donated the land to the state for public use. It became California’s first state beach, officially named Doheny State Beach in 1963. During the Franklin Roosevelt administration, the Civilian Conservation Corp. (CCC) constructed picnic areas, campgrounds, parking lots and a custodian’s lodge at Doheny State Beach. Only one feature of the CCC work remains at the park today – a plastered and tiled adobe entryway and wall along Coast Highway near the entrance to the camp ground.

Dana Point, Orange County
Photographer: Andrew Schmidt