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The Lantern District It's about two miles to the Ritz-Carlton from the charter boat drop-off spot at Dana Point Harbor. We disembark onto e Wharf to consider our tourista options. At the end of e Wharf, we're beckoned by the casual vibe of Wind & Sea Restaurant. A patio server tempts us with the claim that the bar has mixed more than 3 million Mai Tais. Rather than become Wharf rummies, my wife and I decide to explore. Doheny State Beach is just to the south, but we opt to walk the inclined road that leads to the up-and-coming Lantern District. Part of Dana Point's Town Center, e Lantern District is in the midst of a revitalization. It's pedestrian friendly. e shops, galleries, and restaurants are in growth mode. We pop into Coastal Kitchen. A historical landmark that dates back to the 1920s, the building is modernized and seems to attract locals. I get some kick from a lip- smacking, grapefruit-infused vodka mule. (December to May), gray whales tend to navigate through the area going northbound, often with calves in tow. While a whale sighting isn't guaranteed, Lopez says 95 percent of all tours include dolphin (common and bottlenose) interactions. It's estimated close to half a million dolphins live off the Southern California coast between San Diego and San Pedro. Our group encounters a large pod of common dolphins. ey seem to enjoy racing the boat and crisscrossing our path. We ooh and aah as cow-calf pairs do synchronized swimming and even breach together. ere's an abundance of cute dolphin moments. Twice, the boat slows down and whale-sighting anticipation grows. Alas, the captain cuts the engine both times to stop and skim mylar balloons out of the sea. We live vicariously through Lopez's enthusiastic account of once seeing a pod of eight orcas, with a calf in tow, cruising near the southeast end of Catalina Island. >> ranchandcoast.com @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE MARCH 2022 75 The Ritz-Carlton's outdoor bar, 180blu A statue from The Elephant Parade The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel ALL OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON LAGUNA NIGUEL