Facilities

Located on 200 acres in Orange County, South Coast Research and Extension Center (South Coast REC), one of nine Research and Extension Centers in the UC Ag and Natural Resources REC System was established by the University of California in 1956 as a representative site for agricultural and horticultural research in California's south coastal plain-temperate climatic zone.

Greenhouse bench space is maintained for research in six on-site greenhouses, including a large glasshouse equipped with a computerized environment control system. Also available is a lathhouse for acclimation of most plant species and growing of tender stock. The Center also operates three demonstration landscapes for use by urban environment and water use research. Further, the Center maintains germplasms for several subtropical plants, including cherimoya and avocados. A CIMIS station, maintained by the California Department of Water Resources, is also on-site.

Research requests for land, labor and facilities are screened by a research advisory committee. For more information about conducting research at SCREC, visit http://www.ucanr.edu/recforms or call (949) 653-1810.

The Center’s main building consists of a 70-seat conference room. This facility is available to UC researchers and the general public for extension events and activities. It has full audio-visual capabilities and high-speed internet access.

Additionally, the Center maintains:

• Two outdoor demonstration landscape classrooms with seating for up to 40 people each, along with a covered demonstration area which will accommodate and additional 20 people
• Barn space available for large events up to 200 people
• Partially covered “breezeway” space with a capacity of 75 people with full kitchen
• Outdoor events spaces