Dana Point, California (2002.07.04)

Dana Point, California

On 2002.07.04 I traveled with my friends Sam Robertson and Igor Cadez on a trip to Dana Point to watch the fireworks display at the marina.

This was the third time I watched fireworks at Dana Point.

Dana Point is a small coastal city approximately 15 miles south of the center of Irvine.

Dana Point is less than 7 miles away from the border of San Diego County and the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base.

The fireworks are launched over the ocean.

A person can watch the display from the beach, or from one of the outdoor cafes or bars, or from a path in the marina, or, if the person is wealthy, from a yacht with drinking buddies and exotic female escorts.

What happens after the fireworks display is perhaps more interesting than the display itself: All of the boats that departed the marina to get a good view of the fireworks later return to the marina in a spontaneous parade! Boats big and small form a continuous line as they slowly drive in to the marina, back to their parking spots. It is quite dark outside by that time, so all of the lights on the boats look bright and beautiful.

There is also something fun about seeing all of the people lounging on the different kinds of boats. Many boats have bars with alcohol. Some have families eating at dinner tables in well-lit, warm and cozy-looking interior rooms. Some people ring bells, blow horns, or speak through amplified speakers. Invariably the people on the boats shout out to people on the shore. "Hey!" "What's up?!" "Woo-Hoo!"