How Laguna Beach is becoming a model sustainable coastal destination
In association with 
“You don’t have to be environmental heroes. You don’t have to be on the cover of Time magazine as environmentalist of the year. You have to do little things — and it adds up in big ways.”
— Kurt Bjorkman, COO, The Ranch at Laguna Beach
One small action at a time
Framed by protected coastlines and over 22,000 acres of greenbelt, Laguna Beach, California is a powerful example of how local communities can lead global environmental change. From becoming home to California’s first ocean-friendly hotel to establishing no-take marine protected areas and becoming a smoke-free city, this coastal destination is taking bold, proactive steps to preserve both land and sea.
Here, sustainability isn’t just policy — it’s a personal commitment. Residents, business owners, nonprofits, and city leaders are united by a deep connection to place and a shared responsibility to protect it.
In this short film, we hear from local changemakers including Hallie Jones, a city council member and conservation advocate; Project O, an ocean preservation nonprofit; and The Ranch at Laguna Beach, California’s first ocean-friendly certified hotel. Together, they highlight how businesses, civil society, and government are working in harmony to embed sustainability into everyday life.
Laguna Beach is proving that a sustainable coastal destination isn’t a dream — it’s already happening. Through community-driven change, eco-conscious tourism, and a love for nature, this city is building a future where tourism and conservation go hand in hand.
About Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is a true California original with seven miles of pristine coastline, 22,000 acres of protected wilderness, and an eclectic art scene. Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Laguna’s protected coastline and wilderness are the perfect setting to reconnect to nature.
