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Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks
The beach in Crystal Cove State Park
Map of California Show map of California Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location	Orange County, California
Nearest city	Irvine
Coordinates	33°43′53″N 117°41′35″W / 33.7315°N 117.693°W / 33.7315; -117.693
Area	50,000 acres (20,000 ha)
www.irlandmarks.org

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks (also known collectively as Irvine Ranch Open Space) are a collection of protected areas in Orange County, California in and around Irvine. They encompass almost 50,000 acres (20,000 ha) of land which was once a part of the "Irvine Ranch owned by," the Irvine Company. Almost 40,000 acres (16,000 ha) of the landmarks were designated a National Natural Landmark in 2006. And a California Natural Landmark in 2008.

Irvine Ranch contains a remarkably complete stratigraphic succession ranging in age from late Cretaceous (80 million years ago)——to the present. The primary biological features at the site include coastal sage scrub and chaparral communities, including rare Tecate cypress woodlands.

History※

The Irvine Ranch started out as a cattle ranch in the 1860s. By the late 1970s the cattle business had been sold.

Natural landmarks※

Adjacent areas※

• Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park (Orange County Parks)
• Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
• Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve & Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area (California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
• Santiago Oaks Regional Park (Orange County Parks)
• Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area (California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
• Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park (Orange County Parks)

References※

External links※

• Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks Official website
• Irvine Ranch Conservancy
• Irvine Ranch National Park Service