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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.

If you think life in Laguna Beach is all sun and surf, think again. There's an artistic, intellectual side to this California town that's celebrated in events such as the Festival of Arts. This annual showcase of fine art, now in its 75th year, is staged in a beautiful six-acre canyon park near the ocean, and includes exhibitions of art in all forms, from paintings and sculptures to ceramics, jewelry, and even scrimshaw. One of the highlights of the show, dating back to its inception, is the Pageant of the Masters (pictured), in which volunteers recreate classic paintings for 90-minute stretches by donning period garments and posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original works. These living artworks are a great way to appreciate the effort and detail that goes into the making of a masterpiece. The festival runs through the end of August, and guests at the nearby St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach might want to drop by to experience a side to this gorgeous beach town that often goes unnoticed.

[image via USA Today]