Laguna Canyon
Laguna Canyon, also called Cañada de las Lagunas (Spanish for 'Canyon of the Lakes'), is a gorge that cuts through the San Joaquin Hills in southern Orange County, California, in the United States, directly south of the city of Irvine. The canyon runs from northeast to southwest, and is drained on the north side by tributaries of San Diego Creek and on the south by Laguna Canyon Creek. It is deeper and more rugged on the southwestern end near Laguna Beach.
| Laguna Canyon Cañada de Las Lagunas | |
|---|---|
Laguna Canyon | |
Map of Laguna Canyon drainage area | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Orange County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | San Joaquin Hills |
| • coordinates | 33°37′22″N 117°45′20″W |
| • elevation | 380 ft (120 m) |
| Mouth | Laguna Beach |
• coordinates | 33°32′32″N 117°47′05″W |
• elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Length | 7 mi (11 km) |
| Basin size | 10.5 sq mi (27 km2) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Pacific Ocean |
| • average | 0 cu ft/s (0 m3/s) |
| • maximum | 2,000 cu ft/s (57 m3/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | El Toro Creek |
| • right | Laurel Canyon Wash, Little Sycamore Canyon, Willow Canyon Wash |
Geologically, the canyon likely originated millions of years ago as the result of San Diego Creek cutting through the San Joaquin Hills. Uplift diverted that stream to its present course, leaving Laguna Canyon as a wind gap. California State Route 133 runs the entire length of the canyon connecting Laguna Beach and Irvine, while California State Route 73 crosses it, running southeast–northwest. A majority of the canyon is located within the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park; small portions are part of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and the cities of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods and Aliso Viejo.