Laguna Canyon

The Laguna Canyon is a canyon in southern Orange County in the U.S. state of California, which runs in a southwesterly direction through the San Joaquin Hills. It ends on the Pacific Ocean at Laguna Beach.

Geography

The Laguna Canyon begins as a broad valley south of Irvine and narrows at Laguna Beach to a steep ravine. The California State Route 133 crosses the entire valley floor, while the California State Route 73 in a southeasterly direction crossing the gorge. A large part of the canyon extends over the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park to the west. To the east of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and the cities of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Woods cover parts of the canyon.

History

Before any part of the Laguna Canyon were put under protection, there were plans to build a residential area, which should bear the name Laguna Laurel. The 8.7 -square-kilometer settlement was rejected in the 1990s, when the city bought the site Laguna Beach to protect the landscape. The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park opened in 1993. Few years later the building of California State Route 73 called again citizens with protest. The road which should cross the valley was still completed.

A forest fire destroyed in 1993 in Laguna Canyon about 65 square kilometers of land. The fire was driven by strong Santa Ana winds, causing the flames reached a height of up to 61 meters.

Gallery

The route of the CA 73 crosses the gorge