Overview
Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve (SMR) and Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) (No-Take) are located 15 miles southeast of Huntington Beach in Orange County, between Crystal Cove and the city of Dana Point. Laguna Beach SMR protects more than six square miles of rocky and sandy habitats, including diverse rocky intertidal and shallow kelp reefs out to depths of more than 1,200 feet. This marine protected area (MPA) extends along more than four miles of shoreline from Abalone Point, Laguna’s northernmost city limit, south to Goff Island. Laguna Beach SMCA (No-Take) protects more than three square miles of world class rocky and sandy habitats, including diverse rocky intertidal, and shallow kelp reefs out to depths of more than 1,400 feet.
Laguna Beach SMCA (No-Take) extends south from Goff Island to Table Rock. Beachgoers, surfers, tidepoolers, wildlife lovers, scuba and free divers, kayakers, and paddle boarders play in and around the MPA’s many reefs, tidepools, sandy shores, kelp forests, and protected coves. An excursion into the clear waters will often yield sightings of leopard sharks, garibaldi, and California halibut. In the surfgrass, young rockfish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates abound. Marine mammals, including sea lions, harbor seals, and migrating whales can often be seen foraging for food or migrating along the coast.
Regulations
Laguna Beach SMR
It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource.
California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(134)(opens in new tab)
Laguna Beach SMCA (No-Take)
It is unlawful to injure, damage, take, or possess any living, geological, or cultural marine resource. Take incidental to certain permitted activities may be allowed. Other restrictions may apply. See CCR T14 §632(b) (link below) for details.
California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(135)(opens in new tab)
Quick Facts
Laguna Beach SMR
MPA size: 6.72 square miles
Shoreline span: 4.4 miles
Depth range: 0 to 1,231 feet
Habitat composition*:
- Sand/mud: 6.28 square miles
- Rock: 0.90 square miles
Laguna Beach SMCA (No-Take)
MPA size: 3.09 square miles
Shoreline span: 1.2 miles
Depth range: 0 to 1,408 feet
Habitat composition*:
- Sand/mud: 3.09 square miles
- Rock: 0.09 square miles
*Habitat calculations are based on 3-dimensional area and may exceed the total MPA area listed above.