Two tall ships from Washington state sailed into Dana Point Harbor on Wednesday for a two-week visit.

The Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, replicas of 18th- and 19th-century vessels, respectively, will be open to the public at the Ocean Institute starting today, offering dockside tours and educational programs. There also are opportunities for evening sails and battle sails. The visit, which will continue through Jan. 17, is an opportunity to see maritime and naval history.

Visitors can get on board for a $5 donation.

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The ships, both constructed in the late 1980s, have not been able to make the Ocean Institute’s annual Tall Ships Festival in 10 years.

“It always breathes new life into the tall ships program when new ships arrive,” said Dan Goldbacher, director of the maritime program at the Ocean Institute.

For hours and more information, go to ocean-institute.org.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2254 or eritchie@scng.com or on Twitter:@lagunaini