Laguna Beach

Ecosystem Overview

The Laguna Beach ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 87 taxonomic genera. Located in Orange County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 73 Orange County County natural areas, placing it in the 99th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 73 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 73 locations

99th percentile for diversity

vs. Anaheim

0% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Hypsypops rubicundus

garibaldi

Very Common2,555 obs.

No image

Semicossyphus pulcher

California Sheephead

Very Common1,940 obs.

Halichoeres semicinctus

Rock wrasse

Very Common1,329 obs.

Paralabrax clathratus

Sea bass

Very Common1,142 obs.

No image

Oxyjulis californica

Very Common656 obs.

Chromis punctipinnis

Blacksmith

Common431 obs.

Paralabrax nebulifer

Sand bass

Common292 obs.

Embiotoca jacksoni

Black Perch

Common243 obs.

Pisaster ochraceus

ochre stars

Common183 obs.

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

purple sea urchin

Common179 obs.

Girella nigricans

Opaleye

Common167 obs.

Crassadoma gigantea

Occasional161 obs.

Mesocentrotus franciscanus

red sea urchin

Occasional158 obs.

Kelletia kelletii

Occasional123 obs.

Anisotremus davidsonii

Sargo

Occasional118 obs.

Mytilus californianus

common mussel

Occasional78 obs.

Panulirus interruptus

California Spiny Lobster

Occasional72 obs.

Centrostephanus coronatus

Rare64 obs.

No image

Apostichopus parvimensis

Warty Sea Cucumber

Rare61 obs.

Megathura crenulata

giant keyhole limpet

Rare59 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Laguna Beach. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+4%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Orange County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Anaheim

Importance: 0.59

100 species

0% vs. current

Orange County

Importance: 0.55

100 species

0% vs. current

Santa Ana

Importance: 0.50

69 species

+45% vs. current

Fullerton

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Costa Mesa

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Orange

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Newport Beach

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Mission Viejo

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Orange County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+4%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Orange County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Anaheim

Importance: 0.59

100 species

0% vs. current

Orange County

Importance: 0.55

100 species

0% vs. current

Santa Ana

Importance: 0.50

69 species

+45% vs. current

Fullerton

Importance: 0.47

100 species

0% vs. current

Costa Mesa

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Orange

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Newport Beach

Importance: 0.46

100 species

0% vs. current

Mission Viejo

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 73 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 73 locations

99th percentile for diversity

vs. Anaheim

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Hypsypops rubicundus

garibaldi

Very Common2,555 obs.

No image

Semicossyphus pulcher

California Sheephead

Very Common1,940 obs.

Halichoeres semicinctus

Rock wrasse

Very Common1,329 obs.

Paralabrax clathratus

Sea bass

Very Common1,142 obs.

No image

Oxyjulis californica

Very Common656 obs.

Chromis punctipinnis

Blacksmith

Common431 obs.

Paralabrax nebulifer

Sand bass

Common292 obs.

Embiotoca jacksoni

Black Perch

Common243 obs.

Pisaster ochraceus

ochre stars

Common183 obs.

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

purple sea urchin

Common179 obs.

Girella nigricans

Opaleye

Common167 obs.

Crassadoma gigantea

Occasional161 obs.

Mesocentrotus franciscanus

red sea urchin

Occasional158 obs.

Kelletia kelletii

Occasional123 obs.

Anisotremus davidsonii

Sargo

Occasional118 obs.

Mytilus californianus

common mussel

Occasional78 obs.

Panulirus interruptus

California Spiny Lobster

Occasional72 obs.

Centrostephanus coronatus

Rare64 obs.

No image

Apostichopus parvimensis

Warty Sea Cucumber

Rare61 obs.

Megathura crenulata

giant keyhole limpet

Rare59 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.