Latest news with #CrystalCoveConservancy
Los Angeles Times
09-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Crystal Cove named best beach in California by State Parks Foundation
It's no secret that Crystal Cove is the best state beach in California to the roughly 2 million people who visit it each year, and an open survey published Wednesday by the California State Parks Foundation confirms it. The foundation's nod to Crystal Cove came as part of their 'Best of California State Parks' list, which highlights ideal spots across the state for hiking, camping, bird-watching and more. The organization began taking recommendations for the list earlier this spring, and in just a few short weeks a combined 1,300 of their members and followers on social media responded. 'This recognition reaffirms our mission to inspire people to connect with nature and become stewards of California's natural and cultural treasures,' Crystal Cove Conservancy President Kate Wheeler said in a statement. 'That this honor comes from the California State Parks Foundation makes it even more meaningful. The Foundation has been essential not only to our ability to protect Crystal Cove and turn it into a living classroom and laboratory, but also in supporting so many organizations like ours that champion our state parks.' Crystal Cove faced stiff competition in a state that's home to some of the world's most iconic ocean views, California State Parks Foundation Executive Director Rachel Norton told the Daily Pilot during a call Wednesday. But with a diverse set of habitats like tide pools and underwater kelp forests, as well as a variety of attractions like hiking trails, a historic district with 1930s-era cottages for overnight stays and more, all within a short drive from major urban and suburban communities, it's easily one of the most popular destinations on the West Coast. 'Orange County, first of all, has the most incredible beaches, really, in the world, so there is a lot of competition for best beach day in Orange County, for sure,' Norton, a native of Northern California, said. 'But Crystal Cove is so unique because of how close it is to Irvine and Newport Beach. It's a very accessible place, but it still feels like nature.' Crystal Cove also serves as an en plein air classroom, hosting a variety of educational programs year round. Students work alongside scientists there to get a firsthand look at concepts including marine biology, habitat preservation and coastal engineering. Other notable picks in the foundation's 'Best' list include Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties as the best parks to enjoy this summer's wildflower bloom, with an honorable mention in that category going to Chino Hills State Park in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego County was named best state park for picnics. The foundation pointed to the Salton Sea in Imperial and Riverside counties for some of the best bird-watching experiences in the state. Norton hopes the Foundation's recommendations will inspire more Californians to explore the state's immense selection of parks. 'These places are for all of us, they're public,' Norton said. 'Part of our mission is to make sure Californians are engaged with, experiencing and enjoying their state parks. So maybe this is an opportunity to learn something new. 'Eight years ago when I took this job, I had never heard of Crystal Cove,' she continued. 'It wasn't on my radar as a Northern Californian. And then I learned about it and was like, 'Wow, this place is incredible!' So even someone who considers themselves fairly knowledgeable about the state parks system, it's so vast that you can't experience it all, so guides like this are helpful for learning about new places.'
Los Angeles Times
25-04-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Laguna Beach celebrates Arbor Day with native tree planting
Laguna Beach waited longer than expected for its annual Arbor Day celebration, but dozens took part in the educational activities available at Aliso Beach Park on Thursday afternoon. It marked the eighth annual ceremony held by the city, which has traditionally included a native tree planting. On this occasion, a California sycamore was planted in the ground. 'I did the hard work, digging the enormous planting hole, but everything's prepped and then all the kids helped out with putting all the dirt in there,' said Matthew Barker, the city arborist. The lessons shared along the way included tamping down the soil. Community organizations were also there to share their knowledge of environmental matters. Among the groups in attendance were Citizens' Climate Education, Crystal Cove Conservancy, Laguna Art Museum, the Laguna Beach Garden Club, the Laguna Beach Urban Tree Fund, Laguna Canyon Foundation, Laguna Greenbelt Inc, LOCA Arts Education, Pacific Marine Mammal Center and Village Laguna. Public works personnel and West Coast Arborists, a city contractor, were also on hand, as were the Friends of the Hortense Miller Garden and the Laguna Beach chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 'It was a great turnout,' Barker said. 'A lot of kids, which is great. We partner with the Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club. Usually, they'll do environmental activities leading up to [Arbor Day], and then they come and enjoy all the activities and crafts and giveaways and prizes and games that all the exhibitors put on for the kids. 'I work with the Laguna Beach Unified School District, where many of the Boys & Girls Club kids attend one of those schools, and we do a youth art contest.' The prizes included a Lomi kitchen compost appliance for the first-place winner, with bonsai juniper trees going to those that earned honorable mention. 'The winner did a watercolor painting on canvas of a fantastical tree island — like a floating tree island,' Barker said. 'It was quite lovely and unique. We had three honorable mentions. One of them wrote a poem, and then a couple others did some really unique drawings. These are 6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-year-olds, so the work that they do is quite impressive for kids that age.' The event was held at Boat Canyon Park last year. Barker, who started in his position in February 2021, said he tries to move the tree planting ceremony around to account for trees that had to be removed. Last year, a non-native pine that died was replaced with a Torrey pine. Laguna Beach had planned to host its Arbor Day event on March 6, but the event was postponed due to rain. It was rescheduled to align with the national Arbor Day date, which fell on Friday.
