The town of Dana Point, California is named after legendary 19th century seafarer and author Richard Henry Dana, Jr., whose book Two Years Before the Mast captivated readers with its descriptions of action, adventure, and hard labor on the high seas. Today, visitors to this charming Pacific coast town can connect with its maritime history in a number of ways at the Dana Point Ocean Institute. The Institute is more than just an aquarium with a few exhibits on plankton, it's an immersive learning environment with activities both on land and on the water that teach visitors about the natural creatures that populate the nearby harbor and ocean. During the week, the center is restricted to student groups, but on weekends, its hands-on marine science exhibits and environmental education and maritime history programs are open to the public. And after you've seen the facility, you can hit the high seas on one of the center's three research vessels. The R/V Sea Explorer has all the latest high-tech oceanographic equipment, and the topsail schooner Spirit of Dana Point is perfect for at-sea programs, for those afternoons of dolphin sightings. But you'll definitely want to catch a ride on the Pilgrim, a replica of Dana's ship that takes groups out on sailing journeys. The Institute is just seven minutes away from the luxurious St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach.