The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, California

FAMILY VACATION DESTINATION: THE RITZ-CARLTON, LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA, USA

Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel opened on Earth Day, April 22, 2010. The program is available to hotel guests as well as the surrounding communities of Dana Point and Laguna Niguel.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is located on the bluffs overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean, providing guests with great access to the kelp forest, tidepool, and sandy beach habitats. Nearby is the Dana Point Preserve, a protected area of coastal sage scrub where native flora and fauna of Southern California thrive. Expert naturalists will guide guests on adventures through these natural wonders, educating guests about these ecosystems and how to live more gently and sustainably on our planet. The Ambassadors of the Environment program seeks to inspire guests to look to nature for lessons on how to build sustainable lifestyles and a sustainable future.

The program operates from a Learning Center designed with environmentally responsible principles, complete with an extensive organic garden with composting and solar energy demonstrations. The Learning Center also features an entirely unique menu with completely local, organic, healthy foods. Programming will be offered to adults, families, children, groups, and schools. Two complementary, hour-long programs will be offered daily in addition to a suite of normal activities each week. Some of these programs include snorkeling in kelp forests, underwater photography, hiking in the Dana Point Preserve, organic cooking, and creating Native American crafts. Click on the “Activities” button below to learn more.

Through this program, participants will gain a greater understanding of the relationships between land and sea, humans and nature, people to people and present to future…and thus become Ambassadors of the Environment!