An advanced water reclamation project, which The Ranch at Laguna Beach’s owner calls “a linchpin” of the resort’s extensive sustainability efforts, saves an estimated 21 million gallons of water per year across the property – including at its Golf Environment Organization–certified golf course.

An on-site glass-bottle crusher converts used glass bottles into sand for use in golf-course bunkers. Biodegradable bamboo keys replace plastic keys to reduce landfill waste as part of the property’s elimination of single use plastics. And excess toiletries are rounded up and recycled for people in need via The Ranch’s partnership with Clean the World. Employees also volunteer to remove trash and debris from the Aliso Creek in Mission Viejo.

The resort’s celebrated Harvest restaurant serves local organic food and wines along with sustainably caught seafood. In fact, the Surfrider Foundation honored Harvest with Laguna Beach’s first “Ocean Friendly Restaurant” certification, which is based, in part, on the restaurant’s commitment to saving water and banning Styrofoam and plastics.

The Ranch partners with The Ocean Institute, which provides marine-science and eco-education programs to the public, and the Laguna Canyon Foundation, which works to restore local habitats and save open spaces in the 22,000-acre South Coast Wilderness. The Ranch also donates unused food to local organizations through a collaboration with Chefs to End Hunger.

On-property presentations by the Orange County Bird of Prey Center let guests connect with rehabilitated raptors while gaining insight into how to help preserve their habitats.