Welcome to the gateway of the historic Dana Point Harbor. As this local landmark undergoes its massive multi-million dollar revitalization project, a piece of the Harbor's history has been preserved right here at the main entryway.
Look up at the nearly 33 foot tall nautical flagpole welcoming you to Harbor Way. This is not just any standard piece of Harbor signage. This mast-styled flagpole is made entirely from salvaged materials from The Pilgrim, the iconic tall ship replica that called Dana Point Harbor home for nearly 40 years.
The original Pilgrim was an 1820s merchant brig made famous by sailor and author Richard Henry Dana Jr. in his legendary 1840 memoir, Two Years Before the Mast. The ship originally frequented this exact coastline to trade manufactured goods for raw cattle hides from local ranchos and the nearby Mission San Juan Capistrano.
In 1981, a full scale, 1945-built replica of the brig arrived at the Ocean Institute. For decades, it served as a living history classroom, hosting hundreds of thousands of local school children for unforgettable overnight maritime programs and summer camps. Both "B" and "J" of the GSBJ Family have grown up and spent significant time in camps and activities at the Ocean Institute. The Pilgrim was always a centerpiece of the activities and memories of seeing the kids on the deck learning nautical history are still fresh in our minds.
Tragically, in March 2020, the beloved vessel keeled over and sank at its slip. Because the damage was too severe to re-float her permanently, the ship had to be decommissioned. During the salvage operation key artifacts including the ships bell, cannons and her massive wooden masts were saved. For many months afterwards, you could walk near the docks and see the masts drying in the sun and we always wondered what the future held for them.
We were fortunate enough to bid on and win a historic artifact (a fastener attached to an actual piece of wood from the hull) from the Pilgrim during a fund raiser held by the Ocean Institute. It's a tiny bit of history that we can look at and reminisce about our days spent in the Harbor.
As part of the revitalization of the Harbor, developers honored the maritime roots by transforming the preserved timber of the historic mast into this beautiful gateway fixture. Re-engineered to withstand the coastal elements, it now flies the American flag alongside nautical flags, anchoring the Harbors rich past directly into its future.
Logging requirements:
1) Post a photo of you or you're signature item in front of the mast in your log.
2) Send us a message with the numbers/letters stamped on one of the two large shiny nuts or bolts at the base of the mast.
We hope you enjoy visiting this speical piece of Dana Point Harbor history and take a moment to imagine the days when The Pilgrim sailed these waters.
Virtual Rewards 5.0 - 2026-2027
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between February 3, 2026 and February 3, 2027. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 5.0 on the Geocaching Blog.