Laguna Canyon

Laguna Canyon Cañada de Las Lagunas[1]
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 / 33.62278°N 117.75556°W / 33.62278; -117.75556
• elevation	380 ft (120 m)
Mouth	Laguna Beach
• coordinates	33°32′32″N 117°47′05″W / 33.54222°N 117.78472°W / 33.54222; -117.78472
• 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

Laguna Canyon, also called Cañada de las Lagunas (Spanish for 'Canyon of the Lakes'),^[1][2] 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.

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.