Description

California travel expert Veronica Hill tours Newport Beach while highlighting its hotels, restaurants and attractions, in this episode of California Travel Tips.

Transcript

Hi! I am Veronica Hill, your California travel expert. Let us take a peak inside the Ocean Institute, one of the top attractions here in Dana Point Harbor. Dubbed the “Whale Watching Capital” of the west, Dana Point Harbor is a romantic ocean village located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. Though the Harbor is a great spot for paddle surfing, kayaking and fishing, its biggest claim to fame is the Ocean Institute; a hands-on Marine Science and Maritime History Center. Open to the public on weekends, the institute is home to dozens of fun programs from whale watching tours aboard the RVC explorer to living history adventures on the Brig Pilgrim Tall Ship. On the ship, you can check out the canon, turn the Captain’s wheel or explore the sleeping quarters. It is open most Sundays throughout the year. After touring the Brig, head inside the Ocean Institute’s 34,000 square foot campus where you can channel your inner—the Packard At-Sea Learning Center is home to several cool ocean creatures from shy moray eels to a swirling tank of sardines. Get a closer look at ocean specimens through the microscope then examine the jelly fish grow out tanks set aside bubbling beakers of glowing green phytoplankton. At discovery pool, you can lightly touch urchins and sea stars then meet big—a cabezon fish who is the star of a children’s story book. For an adventure at sea, look up Pirate Sale aboard the Spirit of Dana Point or check out the Marine Wild Life Cruises aboard the RVC explorer. The 70 foot research vessel is equipped with the latest ocean technology from onboard viewing aquariums to state of the art electronics. And your visit to the Ocean Institute with a walk along the 8-acre Marine Life Refuge, be sure to walk carefully as hundreds of tiny ocean creatures live in this protected tide pools. I hope you have enjoyed this quick peak at the Ocean Institute. If you are here in September, don’t miss the annual Tall Ships Festival featuring one of the largest Tall Ship displays on the west coast. For more California travel videos, tips and advice, log on to californiatravelexpert.com.