Doheny State Beach

History

The beach was donated by oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny for public use on May 31, 1931. It was California's first state beach.  On July 1, 1963 the beach was named Doheny State Beach in his honor. The original donation was 41 acres (17 ha). An additional 21 acres (8.5 ha) was later added by acquisitions from the Santa Fe Railroad, University of California Regents, and the Union Oil Company.  An additional 192 acres (78 ha) not owned by the state are included in the site's official total area.

Recreational uses

The beach covers an area of 62 acres (25 ha) and includes a day use surfing beach at the northern end, as well as campgrounds in its southern area. The beach is one of California's most popular camping grounds and attracts over 850,000 people per year. The beach has tide pools and a visitor center with several aquariums.

Animal and plant life

The beach is home to several types of marine life, such as abalone, anemone, several types of sea bass, crabs, the common dolphin, harbor seal, kelp, California moray, sea urchin, octopus, stingrays, several varieties of sharks (including the Great White), as well as many other marine life. Several types of birds also live at the beach such as brown pelican, great blue heron, snowy egret, and several other species.

Educational program

Doheny State Beach offers year-round interpretive education programs in marine life, bird life, animal life, water quality, insects, and Native American studies.