History

South Laguna Civic Association (SLCA) was founded in 1946 with the mission of protecting the quality of life in our community.

South Laguna has a long history of community activism. When the first lots were created in the 1920s, new residents found their homesites served with an unreliable water system and dirt roads. These "pioneers" banded together to form the South Coast Improvement Association that set up a water dis­trict, pushed for a post office, and urged the county to pave some of the streets while volunteers graded and paved others. 

Residents established a volunteer fire department and bought the first fire engine with donations. The Association's garden section was responsible for the planting of the red-flowering eucalyptus trees that now shade Eagle Rock Way. Potlucks, sing-alongs, and shows drew the community together. 

Today's South Laguna Civic Association (SLCA) grew out of that initial community-building effort. Formed as a nonprofit corpora­tion in 1946, it has been working ever since for the betterment of our community. While South Laguna was still an unincorporated part of Orange County, SLCA was active in: 

• Opposition to the construction of a freeway where Coast Highway is now

• Opposition to oil drilling off our coast

• Fundraising for the construction of South Coast Hospital

• Public acquisition of Aliso Beach

• Writing and implementing the South Laguna General Plan, resulting in the preservation of our hillsides as open space and creation of hillside trails, Sea View ,and Badlands Parks

• Creation of South Laguna Village Green Park

• Provision of beach access at Secret Cove

• Creation of the Aliso Beach children's play area

• Supporting South Laguna's library and Aliso School (now closed)

Since South Laguna was annexed to the City of Laguna Beach in 1987, SLCA has continued in this tradition, playing an important role in: 

• Implementing the Coast Highway streetscape project-planted medians, lighting, and sidewalks funded through City-obtained grants

• Preservation of views and neighborhood character

• Planning and enlargement of Treasure Island Park

• Providing the landscaped parking lot at Sea Cove and Coast Highway

• Creation of the marine life protected area along our coast

• Keeping our post office open

• Preservation of the Meadow and public trail access at Emerald Ridge in Dana Point

• Protections for Ceanothus flowers in South Laguna Green Belt

• Sewer / Water support from South Coast Water District