Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area

The Dana Point State Marine Reserve, which includes approximately 117 square miles of offshore waters from Dana Point to San Onofre, is part of the California State System of Marine Protected Areas. This marine protected area protects unique marine areas that are free from fishing and other human activities by protecting special marine places that are isolated from such effects.
Tidepools, rocks, reefs, and kelp forests can be found within the Dana Point SMCA. Tidepools are home to many marine animals including hermit crabs, sea hares, limpets and sea stars. There are also many varieties of algae in these tidepools. Reefs and kelp forests offer a complex three-dimensional habitat that includes sponges, soft corals and hydroids. Fish species include perch, cabezon, rockfish, sheepshead, and surfperch. Bird species include pelicans, cormorants, ducks and loons. Mammal species include sea lions and harbor seals
San Onofre Beach is located within the Dana Point SMCA. Visitors can access this beach year-round for hiking or surfing. However, no camping is allowed on this beach or any other beaches within the SMCA.
The Dana Point State Marine Reserve, also known as the San Juan Capistrano State Marine Conservation Area, is a marine protected area near San Juan Capistrano, CA. The sanctuary includes 3.45 square miles and allows finfish recreational fishing and limited commercial kelp harvesting.
The SMCA protects marine life by limiting the removal of marine wildlife from within its borders. The SMCA prohibits take of all living marine resources except that recreational fishing for finfish and the commercial taking of kelp is allowed within its boundaries.
The area is bounded by the mean high tide line to a distance of three nautical miles out from the mean lower low tide on the shoreline.
The Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area is an offshore marine protected area in Orange County, California, United States. The SMCA is one of 36 new marine protected areas adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission in December 2010 during the third phase of the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. The MLPAI is a collaborative public process to create a statewide network of protected areas along California’s coastline.
The North Central Coast Regional Stakeholder Group, which included local divers, fishermen, conservationists, and scientists, determined the boundaries of California's newest marine protected areas.
The goal of the new network of marine protected areas was to preserve sensitive sea life and habitats while also enhancing recreation, study, and education opportunities. On May 1, 2013, the north-central coast marine protected areas came into force.
This MPA includes kelp forest/surf grass habitat that supports several species of anemones, invertebrates, fish and wildlife identified as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). This MPA also serves as an important haul-out site for harbor seals at the northern extent of their range along Los Angeles County's coastline.
Ortega Highway
Cefali & Cefali