Toward the end of the episode, the Orange County realtor takes the conversation to the far south of the county — a part of the coast that recently arrived Brazilians tend to know less than Newport or Huntington.

Dana Point: small town, big harbor

Dana Point has about 35,000 residents and borders San Clemente. Its postcard image is the harbor — the marina, with boats, restaurants and boat tours, today the center of gravity for the town. That's where the whale-watching tours that make this stretch famous leave from during the season.

The wave that ended up under the marina

The story told on the episode is true, and it's part of California surf folklore. Before the harbor was built, in the 1960s, a famous and feared wave broke there, nicknamed Killer Dana. The harbor construction reshaped the coastline and the wave disappeared — and, as the realtor describes with some humor, old-school surfers still complain about it to this day.

It's a detail that says a lot about California: the same project that created the recreational space the local economy now runs on also erased a piece of surf culture heritage. Today the harbor is used for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and boat tours — and the town keeps a strong identity tied to the ocean and to sports.

Laguna: one word, several cities

A practical clarification comes up in this segment that helps avoid confusion when searching for a home: Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills and Laguna Woods are different, independent cities, each with its own government — not neighborhoods of a single Laguna. Price, profile and distance from the beach vary quite a bit between them.

The realtors also point out the natural barrier between the coastal strip and the inland part of the county: there's a protected reserve area in the stretch, which limits the access roads and shapes both traffic and where people choose to live.

San Juan Capistrano: the rural Orange County

Right next to the coast, the episode presents San Juan Capistrano as the complementary opposite: properties with bigger lots, horses, a country feel — a remnant of the old citrus ranches that once covered the area. The town keeps an equestrian tradition and holds an annual country music festival, mentioned in the conversation.

Worth adding what the episode doesn't mention, which rounds out the picture: San Juan Capistrano is home to one of California's historic missions, founded in the 18th century — it's one of the oldest towns in the state, which explains much of its architecture and its distinctive zoning.

What it's like to live along this stretch

• Outdoor living is at the center of daily life: biking along the shore, trails, water sports. The episode even notes that heavy use of e-bikes on the bike paths has led cities in the region to tighten regulations after accidents.
• House integrated with the backyard: the realtors note that new construction and remodels in the region increasingly use large sliding doors that connect the living room, kitchen and patio — made possible by the stable year-round climate.
• Distance: it's the far south of the county. For anyone working in central Orange County or in Los Angeles, the daily commute is a real factor.

Before house-hunting in this area

• Confirm which city the address is actually in — in this stretch, neighboring cities have quite different rules and prices.
• Check short-term rental rules: coastal cities tend to have their own restrictions.
• Check zoning in rural areas: keeping horses or building an extra structure depends on the specific lot.
• Ask about insurance, given proximity to the ocean and hillside areas.

Sources and verification

• City of Dana Point — profile of the city and Dana Point Harbor; U.S. Census Bureau — population around 35,000.
• City of San Juan Capistrano — city history, Mission San Juan Capistrano (founded in 1776) and equestrian tradition.
• Historical records of California surfing on the Killer Dana wave and the harbor construction in the 1960s.
• Notes on Laguna, e-bikes and the region's lifestyle: realtors on the episode (April 2026).
• Transcript of episode 7 of the Cadê Moradia podcast.

Watch this part of the episode:

Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano (approximate excerpt) — starting at 40:20 · CADÊ BRAZIL